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June 30, 1954
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CHANCERY ANNOUNCEMENT - Most Reverend Thomas L. Noa D. D. announced today the formation of a new parish to be called St. Louis the King, to serve the area south of the city of Marquette, including Harvey, Lakewood, Hiawatha Shores, Sand River, Beaver Grove, Mangum, West Branch, Skandia, Dukes and Sands.
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June 30, 1954
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FOUNDING PASTOR
Rev. David T. Harris appointed Administrator of the new parish of St. Louis the King.
( 1954 - 1971 )
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July 18, 1954
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FIRST MASS said in the new parish by Father Harris at the Chocolay Township Hall.
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August 1, 1954
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FIRST BAPTISM - Eileen Marie Williams, daughter of Albert Williams and Frances Casimir.
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September 21, 1954
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FIRST DEATH - Larry Wayne LaJeunesse, son of Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence LaJeunesse. Age 13.
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January 15, 1955
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FIRST MARRIAGE - Leonard Lemieux, son of Wilfred Lemieux and Loretta Gauthier; and Marion Tousignant, daughter of Alfred and Lucille Santamore.
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July 3, 1955
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FIRST HOLY COMMUNION - Thirteen boys and seven girls.
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July 20, 1955
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Ground Breaking Ceremony occurs at the site of the new church. Land for the new church was obtained from Fred Greenleaf, a member of the parish. Excavation begins at the church site - Blondeau Trucking donates a bulldozer for use - Sylvester Young, a member of the parish, handles this job.
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August 4, 1955
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Menze Construction Company begins work on the church basement. (Cost of the structure $28,000). The men of the parish donate time to help with the construction.
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December 5, 1955
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Father Harris takes up residence in parish rented house.
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November 5, 1956
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FIRST CONFIRMATION CLASS - Fourteen boys, twelve girls, nine adults, Sacrament administered by Bishop Thomas Noa.
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December 8, 1956
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St. Louis becomes one of the six participating parishes to operate Bishop Baraga Central High School.
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November 5, 1967
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Parish purchases Fred Greenleaf home to serve as a rectory for the new parish.
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October, 1959
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A gift of $10,000 is gratefully received from the Catholic Church 1985 Extension Society.
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December 25, 1959
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FIRST MASS IN THE NEW CHURCH - Solemn High Mass of the Nativity. Sermon preached by Rev. Mr. Allan Mayotte of the parish who will be ordained in June 1960.
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February 28, 1960
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DEDICATION OF NEW CHURCH - Most Reverend Thomas L. Noa D.D., Bishop of the Marquette Diocese, blesses and lays the cornerstone of the new church, then dedicates it to St. Louis the King.
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June 4, 1960
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FIRST ORDINATION - Rev. Allan Mayotte is the first parish son ordained to the priesthood from St. Louis Parish.
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1962 -> 1967
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PARISH IMPROVEMENTS: Purchased organ and chimes for bell tower, new tile in church hall (1962). Additional land purchased; new basement ceiling and lights installed, and storage garage built (1963). Blacktop west side of parking lot; construction of Shrine to Our Blessed Lady (1964); blacktop front and east side of church parking lot (1965); extended parking lot on east side, blacktopping completed (1967).
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1970
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Father Harris accepts an appointment to Holy Family Parish in Ontonagon; effective January 21, 1971.
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1971
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Second Pastor
Father Charles J. Strelick arrives to assume duties of pastor of St. Louis the King church.
( 1971 - 1975 )
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1972
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Fr. Strelick completes new rectory attached to church.
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1975
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Third Pastor
Father Joseph R. Callari assumes duties as pastor of St. Louis.
( 1975 - 1983 )
Deceased
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1978
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Father Joseph Callari celebrates his 25th Anniversary of Ordination on June 11.
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1979
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Father Callari’s brother William was ordained at St. Louis the King.
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1981
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Roof of church replaced.
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1983
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Fourth Pastor
Father Lawrence Gauthier begins his pastoral duties at St. Louis the King on July 12.
( 1983 - 1994 )
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1984
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PARISH IMPROVEMENTS: Expansion of parking lot, church tower repaired, pews refurbished, carpeting of aisles, resource room and secretarial office completed. October initiated as Commitment Sunday, 150 lay volunteers recruited. Lay volunteers provided for committees and commissions membership. Dan Sparapani hired as CCD coordinator. Convert class of 17 adults.
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1985
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PARISH IMPROVEMENTS resulted in an Energy Audit. Ten projects were targeted, one major one was the conversion of the oil furnace to gas. Sister Catherine Knudsen was hired as Pastoral Associate. Administration and Social Activities Commissions were established. Activities celebrated; parish appreciation dinner/dance, family night, parish picnic, Seder meal; on June 4, Father Gauthier’s 30th anniversary to the priesthood was celebrated. St. Louis Parish participated in the Diocesan Renew Program.
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1986 -> 1987
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Major remodeling of church hall and kitchen in accordance with energy audit. Sanctuary appurtenances received from St. John’s Church, altar, pulpit, candle sticks.
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1988
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PARISH IMPROVEMENTS: Gazebo project completed, approximate value $18,000; Carol Hicks, architect; monies donated by parishioners, major donor Jerry LeBoeuf; major labor donated by the Carl St. Onge family, Mark Knoebel, Paul Bosworth, Kim Erickson, Brandon O’Connor, men of the parish and Knights of Columbus. New lights were installed in parking lot. Established RCIA, a Spiritual Life Commission and a Youth Ministry program under the guidance of Nancy Holdwick and Lynn Hicks.
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1989
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PARISH IMPROVEMENTS: Replaced roof on storage building, sealed parking lot, and landscaping of grounds.
SPIRITUAL COMMISSION ACTIVITY: Thirty-four members of St. Louis the King made their First Pilgrimage Retreat to Marygrove in December.
SOCIAL ACTIVITIES COMMISSION: Held the Second Annual Summerfest in June which grossed $14,000. This amount was equally divided between the Knights of Columbus, Women’s Club and the parish.
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1990
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PARISH IMPROVEMENTS: Landscaping around church and rectory.
SOCIAL ACTIVITIES COMMISSION: Third Annual Summerfest was held on June 23 and 24.
SPIRITUAL LIFE COMMISSION: August 26 celebration of the 30th Anniversary of the dedication of St. Louis Parish. A concelebrated Mass was held in the Gazebo: Fathers Harris, Strelick, Gauthier, Mayotte and Wm. Callari joined Bishop Mark Schmitt D. D. in the Sacred Liturgy. The sermon was shared by Frs. Harris and Strelick, former pastors. Fr. Lawrence Gauthier celebrates his 35th anniversary of Ordination with St. Louis’ Parish family.
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1991
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Fourth Annual Summerfest netted $17,500 and is divided equally among K.C., Women’s Club and parish. We had the largest number of RCIA people receive Easter sacraments in Diocese, 1991 (18). Parish help consolidated Marquette Catholic Schools/Removal of asbestos from BBCC School building. Completed a successful offertory drive - Cunneen Associates.
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1992
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Twenty-seven people attended Parish family retreat at Marygrove. We have a retreat fund to help finance retreats. Sixteen people completed the RCIA. Senior choir established. Initiating plans for a new and larger church. Consolidation of Catholic schools in Marquette area continuing. We now have a true middle school and elementary school.
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1993
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RCIA program largest in Diocese for third year - 22 candidates and catechumens. Concentration has been on Evangelization and Ministry of Service. Fifth Annual Summerfest August 8 & 9 was a success. Presentations by Finance Council of future parish space needs and tithing program during Lent. This was the Finance Council’s major thrust in 1993.
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1994
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Rev. Lawrence T. Gauthier, pastor from July 83 to June 30, 1994 retires. Retirement party at NMU June 5 and Mass at gazebo on parish grounds. Parish reception after all Masses June 25 & June 26.
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Fifth Pastor
Father Guy S. Thoren begins his pastoral duties at St. Louis the King on July 1st.
( 1994 - 2002 )
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1995
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Rectory, church and hall repainted. Knights of Columbus paid $1,550. Begun in August - finished in September.
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1996
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(not available)
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1997
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Meet Deacon Dave Adler, and his wife Betty.
Dave was assigned to the parish on February 10, 1997.
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1998
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Knights of Columbus purchased old “Paddler’s Choice” building next door for a clubhouse. K.C.s paid for and stained gazebo. Capital Campaign drive for new church begun.
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1999
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Contract signed with O’Boyle Construction for construction of a new church, offices, gathering space and classrooms. Rectory was removed from present church and relocated to north side of parking lot. Parish offices were temporarily housed in Knights of Columbus hall until construction is complete. We participated in the Food Fest at Mattson’s Lower Harbor on 4th of July weekend and were the food booth for the 1st Annual Gospel Fest in August. Raffle drawing (in place of Summerfest) took place on Dec. 19, 1999.
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2000
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Construction continued on the new parish structure. The
new church
was blessed and dedicated by Bishop James H. Garland, Bishop of Marquette, on May 13th, 2000.
Construction continues with converting the old church and other appurtenant structures.
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2001
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Construction is essentially completed.
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2002
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Father Thoren follows the Lord’s call in accepting the new position of Pastor in Bessemer ... we will always!!! love you.
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Sixth Pastor
Father Ben Paris begins his pastoral duties at St. Louis the King on June 1st.
( 2002 - present )
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Father Ben comes to us from St. Paul University in Ottawa where he earned his JCL degree in Canon Law ... he is a “yooper”, having been born in Sault Ste Marie. Father Ben accepted the Lord’s call while he was a police officer. He was ordained in 1995. His first parish was in Vulcan.
Un cordiale benvenuto, Padre Ben!!!
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The rest of 2002 was chaotic, Father Ben getting used to us (we always look up to him), as well as us getting used to his spiritual style ... of course, the only one who took everything in stride was Prince the Pup, Father's ever-faithful Golden Retriever companion ... Father assures us that Prince was "baptized" Catholic.
One of the many things that endears Padre Ben to us is that he goes out of his way to say "Thank You!". Prince also says "Thanks (Buff)". Note that if Prince were Italian, he would say Grazie!
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2003 - 2004
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AO? James
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Father Corey
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Francis
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During these busy two years, Father Ben was assigned two seminarians, Corey Litzner in January, 2003 and Francis Ricca in June, 2004. Corey is now Father Corey (June 11, 2004) and Francis will be ordained in about 2 years. During June, 2004, we were also blessed with an Associate Pastor, Father James Nirappel from Kerala State in India. India’s official language is Hindi in the Devnagri script. Malayalam is a Dravidian language, spoken by the people of Kerala. It is an ancient language and is thousands of years old. The state of Kerala is located on the southwest border of India ... by way of reference, Calcutta of Blessed Mother Teresa fame is closest to the northern border.
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Welcome Home
Also, during these two years, Saint Louis the King, as well as the entire Diocese, has been focusing on a vigorous Evangelization program to invite Catholics to seek their own path home.
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2004
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This year, Saint Louis the King, as well as the entire Diocese, completed the last stages of the planning of this Evangelization program to invite Catholics home.
We also witnessed the sad, but hopefully temporary departure of our Music Director, Lynne Koski Lanczy ... don't forget, Lynne, that your true home is at St. Louis the King. In the meantime, we welcomed the awesomely talented Esther Barrington, who also teaches music at Father Marquette Middle School.
Words cannot possibly express the sorrow associated with Colleen Pascoe's departure as Director of Religious Education ... she devoted over 12 years of her life to educating children and adults in the truths of our precious Catholic Faith.
We have hired Jessica DeBacker as the new DRE ... she comes to us from coordinating and teaching Grades 4 through 12 at St. Peter's Cathedral. Jessica also substitute-taught at Gwinn High School. Welcome aboard!
We at Saint Louis the King are planning a big party next Summer (August 26,27,28 2005) with celebrations including Mass (with a special liturgy), and a big dinner and dance at Northern Michigan University ... celebrating the lives and work of all former Pastors and present and former parishioners. Stay tuned for all the fun details!
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2005
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During July, our Music Director, Lynne Koski Lanczy returned to us. Esther Barrington, who filled Lynne's shoes very, very capably for a year, returned to teaching at Father Marquette Middle School.
We officially started in a big way our big 50th Anniversary celebration this Summer (August 26,27,28 2005) with an entry in the 4th of July float parade in Marquette ... an entry which just happened to garnish 1st place, we'll have you know.
At press time, here are the details:
August 26 at 7:00 p.m., a social at the church, sponsored by the Knights of Columbus.
August 27 at 4:00 p.m., a Mass, concelebrated by Bishop Garland, Father Harris, Father Ben and other priests. At 6:00 p.m., a special catered dinner at Northern Michigan University.
August 28 at 12:30 p.m., a family picnic at the church.
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