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Saint Jerome Catholic Church History
1955 – 1980 (25 years)
1955 June 29 Bishop Joseph H. Albers of the Lansing Dioceses established St. Jerome Parish. The first Mass celebrated at the Level Park Fire Station on July 31
1957 May 19 Dedication of the Church, built for $100,000, situated on 9 Acres on Collier Avenue along with a house purchased with the property which served as a rectory. Fr. Hamilton was the first pastor served for 180 families.
1960 Jan. 8
Fr. Hamilton killed instantly in a car accident.
Fr. McKeon served as parish administrator until the appointment of Fr. John Hayes as the second pastor of the parish.
1962 Sept.
Sis. Alphonsa, SSJ was the first principal.
1963 The 8th grade was added. Top school enrollment was 200 students.
1966 August
Fr. Elmer Wieber became the third pastor of the parish.
1967 - June 1968
Sister Marie Celine, SSJ became school principal.
The first parish council was organized at the directive of Bishop Alexander Zaleski. Consolidation of grades 7 and 8 was made with St. Philip, providing a more diversified education.
Fr. Walter Spillane becomes the fourth pastor. Grades 7&8 were transferred to the newly organized St. Philip Central Catholic School.
1971
Bishop Paul V. Donovan named to head the Diocese of Kalamazoo.
1974 August Bishop Donovan appointed two Salvatorian priests, Rev. Peter J. Coffey and Rev. William J. Remmel, to serve in this parish.
1975 August Sister Mary Rose Krupp, OSU, Sister Dorothy Pohl, OP, and Sister Brigetta, SSJ joined the pastoral team. The school was closed. A bus was purchased to transport students who wished to attend either St. Joseph or St. Philip schools.
1980 St. Jerome parish celebrated its 25th Anniversary with the completion of extensive remodeling of the church. The altar was relocated from the west end to the south side of the church. The church interior was totally renovated with wall covering, carpeting and paint. New pews and a cry room were installed also. | Saint Jerome Catholic Church History
1980 -- 2005 (50 years)
1981 July Fr. Edwin G. Palmer (Chief) became the new pastor. Numerous maintenance and remodeling projects were completed under his guidance. Air-condition was installed in the church and entire building. New windows and doors New organ and piano New sound system New building to store grounds maintenance equipment, and a circle drive.
The “Young-at-Heart Club” was formed along with a Youth Group and Ministry of Praise programs.
1997 Feb. 13 The parish mourned the untimely death of Rev. Ed Palmer
1997
Fr. Paul Cummings came out of retirement for two years to provide the parish a reorganized Parish Council and purchased the parish rectory facility. His task was to provide healing and a sense of belonging for the parish community. Father Paul retired after serving St. Jerome for two years.
1999 June
Dcn. Albert W. Patrick was appointed Pastoral Administrator. He has taken the parish and moved it ahead with gentleness and the Word of God, guiding St. Jerome's Parish Community into the next Millenium.
2005 June
St. Jerome celebrated its 50th Anniversary. Bishop James Murray, the third bishop of Kalamazoo Diocese, celebrated Mass. Fr. Joseph Thachet and Fr. Charles Fisher concelebrated this Mass with Bishop James. | Saint Jerome Catholic Church History (After 50th Anniversary) 2005 -
2006 June 28 Fr. John Tran was appointed as the pastor of the parish.
2006 Nov. The Parish Council Members decided to have a New Boiler for the church. Therefore, it was installed. Fr. John Tran blessed this boiler room.
2006 Dec In order to rebuild the church, in spiritual and financial ways, Fr. John Tran asked to open the Bingo again. This asking was approved and went through the process. 2007 Mar. The Church installed four Security Cameras (Security System by Guardian Burglar Alarm) at 4 corners of St. Jerome church. Addition, 2 Projector Screens were bought for Meetings and Presentations. 2007 May In buiding the good relationship with Blessed Virgin Mary, Fr. John called St. Jerome's parishioner to join in the Rosary Group. The Rosary Group was established. Saying Rosary was performed before Saturday and Sunday Masses and Wednesday nights. A parish family donated a beautiful Blessed Virgin Mary Statue.
2007 July The pastor suggested to have a statue of St. Jerome on the feast of Saint (Septerber 30). A parish family donated money to order a nice-wooden- statue of St. Jerome from Vietnam. Fr. John blessed this statue, a week before parishioners gathering to celebrate the Feast of St. Jerome. In July, the church bought 2 new Dell Computers and a Canon printer. This system is installed in order that the work at St. Jerome Church have more effect and influence on ministry, education, and mission. In July, Fr. John Tran wants people know about St. Jerome Church. He asks for to have a website.
2007 Sept
The new roof for the pastor's office and school was needed. With Fr. John's decision and Parish Council Members' approval, the second collection for the new roof was hold through months with the target $59,000. Besides this, the church has borrowed money from Kalamazoo Diocese. 2007 Nov Bev Kelly found outside Stations of the Cross when a Catholic Hospital was closed in southeastern Michigan. She picked up and transported these stations to St. Jerome parish. In November 18, at Youth Mass 8:30 am, Fr. John Tran blessed these stations. 2008 Jan Inside St. Jerome's church, all lights were replaced to celebrate Christmas and New Year. 2008 Jan Fr. John Tran makes the final decision to close Friday Nights Bingo at St. Jerome Church, permanently. |
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