The History of St. Raphael the Archangel Catholic Church
Garden City, Michigan
Founded: 1932

In the spring of 1931, a group of concerned Catholics, led by Salvio Clemente, James O’Hara and an attorney, Mr. Hackett met to discuss the need and possibility of establishing a parish in the Garden City area.  After a number of serious meetings, they consulted with Fr. Roberge of St. Mary’s in Wayne.  Fr. Roberge had indicated that the first move would be to conduct a census before anything else could be done.  A census was taken but the results showed that there were only about twenty-five families that expressed any real interest.  The census also indicated that the population of Garden City was only about fifteen hundred people.  The depression, along with the fact that the likelihood of growth in Garden City was doubtful at that time, prompted Fr. Roberge to respond with little enthusiasm.

Discouraged by the lack of interest and yet, holding firm in their belief for the need of a parish, a committee proceeded to the Chancery to entreat Bishop Gallagher’s approval of such a project.  As a result of this conference, Fr. Roberge was instructed by the Bishop to give the matter further consideration.

A further investigation revealed that other Catholics in the area were neglecting their faith because of the inaccessibility of existing churches and financial stress.  These facts, plus other considerations along with the optimism of the original group, led to the decision of Bishop Gallagher to allow for the establishment of a parish provided a priest was available from another source.

Overjoyed with the decision, a search for a priest was underway.  In August of 1931, Rev. Gerion Stack was approached and consented to becoming a pastor for St. Raphael the Archangel Parish.

The first of three Masses were offered on the second floor of the Folkner Building after a considerable amount of hard work since the Bishop’s approval.  Afterward, through the efforts of Ervin Enright, Folkner’s Sales Manager, the Stonerock store was obtained rent free for the celebration of services.  The Stonrock store eventually came to house William’s Department store and later a carpet outlet.  Francis McManus, a used car dealer, donated a used car to the priests to allow for necessary transportation while others in the community contributed in various ways to encourage the success of the newly founded parish.  In 1932, St. Raphael was granted parish status.

By the early part of 1934, plans were in process for a permanent church.  The site of the DPW garage on Middlebelt Road was found to be available.  However, the astronomical price of $1,500.00 was next to impossible to rise during these hard times.  This was just a minor setback and only temporary because of the presence of one Florence Cowperthwithe who had heard of our plight.  She displayed her generosity by donating the property where our first church was built.  Later, the Activities Building, the two schools and the convent were built on the balance of the property.

Through the hard work and generosity of too many to mention, the church was finally erected at a cost of $12,000.00.  Even the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM) Convent contributed their part by way of donating the windows.  They also gave of their time, without compensation, until a school was established.  In 1936, a hall was built with basically volunteer labor, material that was either donated or purchased wholesale, and a variety of contributions.  In just a few short years it became easy to recognize the results of hard work, strong determination, contributions, planning and the interest of people in and out of the boundaries of Garden City.  St. Raphael had been established and would continue to grow. 

After about eight years, having planted the seeds of a new parish, planning for its future success and showing an example of total dedication, Fr. Stack was transferred and relinquished leadership to Fr. Anthony Kirchner who became our second pastor.  A short time later, through his efforts, the hall was remodeled into a four room school.  The labor for this project was almost completely done by volunteers and materials again were either obtained through donations or at wholesale prices.  Unfortunately, the IHM Sisters could not continue to stay on because of other commitments, so the Sisters of St. Francis were contracted.  They agreed at this time to take over the responsibilities of the school and have done so until the present time.  Fr. Kirchner ended his stay with us in 1944 and was succeeded by Fr. John Ross.  Gone but not forgotten, Fr. Kirchner continued to assist Fr. Ross for quite some time afterwards.

Under the leadership of Fr. Ross, the parish and property continued to grow and expand.  A rectory was built in 1946 and a permanent convent in 1952.  These buildings replaced two dwellings located on the east side of Merriman Road, across from the old church.  The number one school was built in 1950 and the number two school in 1956.  Our present church, built in 1954 at a cost of some $118,000.00, was accomplished by a building drive.  It was completed in time for the Christmas Eve Mass that same year.

In 1966, after twenty-two years of faithful service and total dedication, Fr. Ross retired. He was replaced by Fr. Edward Kalinowski.  It was unfortunate that Fr. Kalinowski could not implement some of the ideas he had to benefit the parish.  In 1967, he was called to his eternal reward before many of us even had the opportunity to know him.

The parish survived a short time without a pastor until Fr. Charles O’Neill was appointed.  Though there has been no need for further building, we have seen some changes since Fr. O’Neill’s arrival.  The interior of the church has been remodeled, the old church was demolished to make way for better parking and additions to the rectory were made. 

During the seventy-five years of our existence St. Raphael has grown from a parish of about twenty-five families to nearly two thousand!  Our school has grown from a converted hall with the capacity of just a handful to two schools with a capacity of some five hundred.  We have seen the coming and going of hundreds of parishioners.  We have greeted many sisters into our parish and bid farewell to a number nearly equal.  Various clubs and organizations have been formed within the parish, some flourishing and others not.  We have gathered for joyous occasions as well as sad ones.  Some of our endeavors as a parish failed while others succeeded without a doubt.  Our experiences over the years vary and we have mixed emotions as we reminisce.

Seventy Five years have passed since we were established to allow for the convenience of worship for a few.  Today, we find ourselves not only allowing for convenient worship, but a parish family of some two thousand strong looking to be administered to in our every need.

Looking back, we can credit Salvio Clement and the little group for their determination.  We can also express our appreciation for the assistance of Fr. Roberge and we can be thankful for Bishop Gallagher’s foresight in allowing for a re-evaluation in the establishment of our parish.  Yet, without the help of literally thousands of people who have contributed over the years, all of this would not have been at all possible.  The time, the money, ideas, labor and the prayers of all past and present, allows for our survival and we thank you.  Our idea has always been the PEOPLE, NOT A BUILDING make a parish.  So, when we speak of St. Raphael, we speak of YOU.