{"id":291,"date":"2015-05-12T15:56:37","date_gmt":"2015-05-12T15:56:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.stchrismi.org\/wp\/?page_id=291"},"modified":"2018-07-12T13:42:31","modified_gmt":"2018-07-12T17:42:31","slug":"parish-history","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.stchrismi.org\/home\/parish-history\/","title":{"rendered":"Parish History"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Trese\"1936<\/strong>
\nIn November, the Most Rev. Michael Gallagher, Bishop of Detroit, established a Catholic church in Marysville. Fr. Leo J. Trese was named the\u00a0first pastor. The name St. Christopher was chosen for the parish. At this time the parish had a membership of 60 families.\u00a0 The first Mass was celebrated on
\nNovember 22, 1936. The first Baptism took place on November 29, 1936.<\/p>\n

Fr. Leo J. Trese – 1936-1941<\/p>\n

\n

\"OldMortonSchool\"1937<\/strong>
\nIn February of 1937, the Old Morton School building was purchased for $500 and at a cost of $1500 was moved by log rollers to the parish grounds on Michigan Avenue. Renovation of the building began. The eventual cost of this project was $6000. On February 9, the first marriage celebrated was between Ida Prevost and Robert McKenzie. Forty (40) children made up the First Holy Communion class. On June 27 the first Mass in the renovated building was celebrated.<\/p>\n

\n

1938<\/strong>
\nFebruary 28 of this year saw the burial of Israel J. Prevost. This was the first funeral Mass performed at our church.<\/p>\n

\n

1939<\/strong>
\nIn April, property was purchased for a new rectory. On August 20 the Pastor moved into the new rectory.\u00a0 Ninety-six children from St. Christopher’s were confirmed on April 30 by the Most Rev. Stephen S. Woznicki. The upper level of the church building was converted\u00a0into the Convent and School.\u00a0The church was located in the basement of the building.\u00a0Three Sisters of St. Joseph came from their Motherhouse in Nazareth on August 27. They were here to prepare for the 80 students who started St. Christopher’s school on September 7.<\/p>\n

\n

\"Buhl\"1941<\/strong>
\nFr. Raymond Buhl was named pastor on November 21.<\/p>\n

Fr. Raymond F. Buhl – 1941-1945<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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\n

\"FatherFredGeorge\"1945<\/strong>
\nFr. Frederick E. George was named pastor in September.<\/p>\n

Fr. Frederick E. George – 1945-1953<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

1950<\/strong>
\nIn June, the ground was broken for a new church\/school building.<\/p>\n

\n

\"DedicationNewChurchSchool\"1951<\/strong>
\nIn May we moved into the new school building. We had 291 students in eight grades. In Sept. the first Mass was celebrated in the new church. The building was dedicated by the Most Rev. Allen J. Babcock, Auxiliary Bishop of Detroit.<\/p>\n

\n

\"FatherThomasACurran\"1953<\/strong>
\nFr. Thomas Curran was named pastor June 26.<\/p>\n

Fr. Thomas A. Curran – 1953-1958<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

\"FrZelaff2_small\"1958<\/strong>
\nGround was broken for a new convent on July 14. Fr. Paul C. Zelaff was named pastor in September.<\/p>\n

Fr. Paul C. Zelaff – 1958-1959<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

\"McElgunn\"1959<\/strong>
\nThe Sisters moved into the new convent on January 23. Fr. James Fitzgerald became Administrator of the church. Fr. Joseph McElgunn was named pastor on April 7.<\/p>\n

Fr. Joseph P. McElgunn – 1959-1982<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

1961<\/strong>
\nSt. Christopher’s celebrated its Silver Jubilee. The Parish now had a membership of 400 families.<\/p>\n

\n

1962<\/strong>
\nA new addition was made to the convent to\u00a0accommodate the Sisters of St. Joseph, who had come to\u00a0teach at Port Huron Catholic\u00a0High School.<\/p>\n

\n

\u00a01971<\/strong>
\nAfter10 years of fine service in the Blue Water area, Port Huron Catholic High School closed its doors and the teaching Sisters left. A new four car garage was built in November.<\/p>\n

\n

1972<\/strong>
\nThe original school was demolished to make room for a future church\u00a0on this sight.<\/p>\n

\n

\u00a01979<\/strong>
\nIn May, Fr. Joseph P. Mc Elgunn celebrated 40 years as a priest with a Solemn High Mass and Open House.\u00a0\u00a0 This was also the occasion of his twentieth year as pastor of St. Christopher’s.<\/p>\n

\n

\u00a01980<\/strong>
\nSt. Christopher alumni celebrated the school’s fortieth anniversary.\u00a0\u00a0St. Christopher has a kindergarten class for the first time.<\/p>\n

\n

\u00a0\"Gagnon\"1982<\/strong>
\nFr. Joseph Gagnon was named pastor in October.<\/p>\n

Fr. Joseph A. Gagnon – 1982-1988<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

1983<\/strong>
\nAt the parish council meeting in September, the decision to build a new church was made.\u00a0\u00a0 In April, Bishop Cooney approved Fr. Gagnon’s request for a deacon.\u00a0 Maurice Varieur was appointed to this position.\u00a0 His wife, Cecile, became the Pastoral Care Minister for our parish.<\/p>\n

\n

\u00a01984<\/strong>
\nIn February and March, a drive was held to raise money for a new church.\u00a0 By the end of the two months, 426 families had agreed to participate with money and pledges totaling $423,355.00.\u00a0 The decision to close the convent and have future nuns live off campus was made in April.\u00a0\u00a0 This was done with the intention for the convent being converted into a rectory and parish office.<\/p>\n

\n

\u00a01986<\/strong>
\nIn June, a Mass and reception were held in honor of Fr. Gagnon’s twenty-fifth anniversary in the priesthood.\u00a0 He moved into his new residence in July and in August, the new offices opened in the former convent.\u00a0 The old Rectory was sold for $10,000 and was moved from the property.
\nOn November 15\u00a0and 16, we celebrated St. Christopher’s Golden Jubilee.\u00a0 The Parish is made up of 700 families.\u00a0 The celebration included a dinner-dance at the American Legion, Marysville on Saturday evening and an anniversary Mass on Sunday afternoon, with many area priests and dignitaries in attendance.<\/p>\n

\n

\"Johnson\"\u00a01988<\/strong>
\nFr. Gagnon left and Fr. H. Thomas Johnson was named pastor in July 1988.<\/p>\n

Fr. H. Thomas Johnson – 1988-1995<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

1993<\/strong>
\nSt. Christopher School closed in June because of insufficient enrollment and consequent escalating costs. Children were recommended to attend neighboring Catholic schools.<\/p>\n

\n

1994<\/strong>
\nThe Parish now has a membership of 1006\u00a0families<\/p>\n

\n

\"Fr.1996<\/strong>
\nFr. Arthur Baranowski was named Pastor on January 26, 1996. \u00a0He retired June 2015.<\/p>\n

Fr. Arthur Baranowski 1996-June 2015<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

 <\/p>\n

1999-2002<\/strong>
\nThe present altar, ambo, presider’s chair. Easter candle holder, altar candle holders and the large crucifix were added to the church.\u00a0\u00a0 All were designed and built by a local artist.<\/p>\n

\n

\"Patio\"2001<\/strong>
\nThe courtyard on the west side of the church was constructed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

\"Mary\"2003<\/strong>
\nThe bronze statue of Our Blessed Mother was erected in the west courtyard and dedicated in May.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

\"baptismalfont\"2005<\/strong>
\nThe baptismal font was replaced and the gathering area remodeled.\u00a0\u00a0 The font was designed by a local artist.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

\"TabernacleSmall\"2006<\/strong>
\nThe Blessed Sacrament was placed in the main sanctuary of the church in a newly built alcove.\u00a0 The Blessed Sacrament was originally placed in the chapel when the church was built in 1986.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

2007<\/strong>
\n\"St.<\/a> New Church Doors.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

2015
\n\"FrJames\"<\/a> <\/strong>July 1, 2015 Fr. James F. Arwady is named Pastor. \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

2015<\/strong>
\n\"U\"<\/a> August 2015 the Church Sanctuary.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

2015<\/strong>
\n\"U\"<\/a> St. Christopher statue is\u00a0in the Church.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

1936 In November, the Most Rev. Michael Gallagher, Bishop of Detroit, established a Catholic church in Marysville. Fr. Leo J. Trese was named the\u00a0first pastor. The name St. Christopher was chosen for the parish. At this time the parish had a membership of 60 families.\u00a0 The first Mass was celebrated on November 22, 1936. The […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"page-templates\/template-fullwidth.php","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-291","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"meta_box":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stchrismi.org\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/291","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stchrismi.org\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stchrismi.org\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stchrismi.org\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stchrismi.org\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=291"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.stchrismi.org\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/291\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stchrismi.org\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=291"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}