Boyne Falls, Michigan 1901 through 2011

Transcription

1 Boyne Falls, Michigan 1901 through the Village of Boyne Falls did not have a Catholic Church but priests traveling from the Harbor Springs area came by rail to the village to hold Mass in area homes. One of the well-known homes, of that time was that of Ursula Paszkewicz. Affectionately known as Polack Hill In 1900 the first foundation for a Catholic Church was set on land donated by August Mashinsky.

2 The, 24 foot by 60 foot, construction was typical of that time period. Wood construction built on a Michigan basement with wood siding painted white. The lumber used was from the White Lumber Co. of Boyne City. Boyne Falls early Catholic Church The Boyne Falls church was under the Diocese of Grand Rapids and was named St. Augustine Church after the Saint Augustine of Hippo. The small wooden church was blessed by Bishop Henry Joseph Richter on September 21, the new church bell was purchased from St. Louis, MO the first addition 23 foot by 40 foot was added for areas to be used as sanctuary, sacristy and a sleeping space for the visiting Priest.

3 Church in 1980 An interesting note on the records of many Catholic churches were made in Latin. Today we are not as proficient in the Latin language and translations may have errors. The St. Augustine church went through the many pitfalls that were part of life here in Northern Michigan. Economic, political, manpower, parish membership and the tremendous upheaval of the area. Boyne Falls and Boyne City were both affected by the mission parish due to the availability of Priests and other clergy the service of two or more churches under one minister was not unusual.

4 Church in 1990 Boyne Falls Catholic Church in 2001, Celebrating 100 years of service to the people of Boyne Falls

5 Church interior 2010 Statues, the Virgin Mary, Jesus, St. Augustine of Hippo.

6 Iesvs Nazarenvs Rex Ivdaeorvm What do the letters INRI at the top of Jesus' cross mean? John 19 Then Pilate had Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip. The soldiers made a crown of long, sharp thorns and put it on his head, and they put a royal purple robe on him. "Hail! King of the Jews!" they mocked, and they hit him with their fists. Then Pilate tried to release him, but the Jewish leaders told him, "If you release this man, you are not a friend of Caesar. Anyone who declares himself a king is a rebel against Caesar." When they said this, Pilate brought Jesus out to them again. Then Pilate sat down on the judgment seat on the platform that is called the Stone Pavement (in Hebrew, Gabbatha). It was now about noon of the day of preparation for the Passover. And Pilate said to the people, "Here is your king!" "Away with him," they yelled. "Away with him--crucify him!" "What? Crucify your king?" Pilate asked. "We have no king but Caesar," the leading priests shouted back. Then Pilate gave Jesus to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus and led him away. Carrying the cross by himself, Jesus went to the place called Skull Hill (in Hebrew, Golgotha). There they crucified him. There were two others crucified with him, one on either side, with Jesus between them. And

7 Pilate posted a sign over him that read, "Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews." The place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and the sign was written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek, so that many people could read it. Then the leading priests said to Pilate, "Change it from `The King of the Jews' to I am King of the Jews.' " Pilate replied, "What I have written, I have written. It stays exactly as it is through 1982 the church went through many needed and beautiful remodeling and additions. The main building was widened and the interior reworked to fill the needs of the parishioners The Diocese of Gaylord was established on July 20 by his Holiness, Paul VI. The territory was originally under the Dioceses of Saginaw and Grand Rapids under the direction of Father Stilwell the Boyne Falls church again underwent a complete remodeling. In 1992 the addition of a new and larger church hall was started 2001 St. Augustine Catholic Church celebrated her 100 year centennial. Today 2011 she still serves her members with pride, dignity and is a strong factor in Boyne Falls, Michigan.

8 New addition 1993 The new Saint Augustine cemetery altar was built and dedicated in 1994 by Bishop Cooney

9 The whole congregation came forth and assisted in the St. Augustine cemetery clean-up after the storm of 1998 Since its founding, Saint Augustine Catholic Church has been served by many neighboring priests. Many of the priests served Boyne Falls and Boyne City parishioners as well as holding mass at other locations. Some of the priests, known to be in the area were: Fr. Bruno Torka Fr. Ladislaus Czech Fr. William Sliszka Fr. Damian Koziolek Fr. Stanislaus Jaworski Fr. William Sliszka Fr. Albert Narloch I well remember working with Father Narloch, when I was Scout Master, to Boyne City Troop # 49, he would come out to the woods and hold services

10 for the catholic boys and then an all faiths service, anywhere as long as I gave him a map. He even followed us to the UP. My thanks Father. Fr. J. A. Moleski Fr. Francis Kupinski Fr. M. J. Ostroski Fr. Peter Jakubowski Fr. Jerome Szydlowski Fr. Dennis Stilwell Fr. John O. Ladd Fr. Thomas A. Neis Fr. Francis C. Partridge Fr. Duane Wachowiak My thanks to: The Boyne Valley Catholic Community, their staff and lay persons. Especially Patty Furtaw, Pastoral Associate and Sue Dzwik, Secretary. To Karen Campbell for assisting a man, knocking on her door, asking for information about a Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church that is long gone and almost forgotten. Also the many area people who unequivocally offered and rendered their help without reservations. Edward May III Curmudgeonly Historian