Our Parish - About Us - Chronology - 1833 to 1950

1833, June 23
Father Frederic Baraga baptizes 21 Native Americans in Muskegon.

1856
Founding of St. Mary Parish, Mother Church of Muskegon

1948, Nov.21
Father Joseph Ciesluk celebrates first mass in St. Francis area at Ruddiman Terrace Center

1948, Nov.23
Bishop Francis J. Hass appoints Father Ciesluk pastor of new parish in Norton Shores Township; first meeting of Altar Guild at Mercy Nurses Home

1948, Dec.1
Men meet at Knights of Columbus Hall to organize Ushers Club and Holy Name Society

1948, Dec.1
Feather Party, first parish fund raiser, held at Sacred Heart School

1948, Dec.6
Leon Noel family home, 1523 Randolph, first home blessed in new parish

1948, Dec.20
Barbara Jean Anderson, first adult baptized

1948, Dec.26
Robertal Jean Noel, first infant baptized

1948, Dec.27
17 & 1/2 acres on McCracken Street purchased for parish property

1949, Jan. 4
First funeral in parish for Richard Wiegers

1949, Feb.14
Parish boundaries established: west from Seminole Drive and Roosevelt Road to Bliss Street, to Hackley to Ruddiman Creek, to Lakeshore Drive including the Project

1949, July.17
Daily masses begin at store at 1980 W. Sherman Street; house at 2108 LeTart rented for rectory

1949, Aug.28
Summer picnic, first parish activity on McCracken site

1949, Sept.
Dominican Sisters from Sacred Heart parish begin catechetical program

1949, Oct.24
Ground-breaking for first church-assembly hall, construction by George Brown & Son, Muskegon

1949, Dec.11
Bishop Francis J. Hass blesses church cornerstone

1950, May.14
First Mass in new church and First Communion Sunday

1950, Nov.27
Father Joseph Ciesluk dies of heart attack at 2108 LeTart

1950, Nov.30
Solemn Requiem Mass for Father Ciesluk at St. Francis De Sales Parish

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