SAINT ANNE PARISH COMMUNITY CHURCH HISTORY 
FIFTY YEARS OF SERVING THE BEACH AREAS
1947-1997

In 1940, William J. Braunlich, Trustee for the Detroit Beach Subdivision, offered the use of the Detroit Beach clubhouse ballroom for Catholic Services, knowing that the people in the beach area would appreciate a church closer than Monroe, or Oldport (St. Charles Church, Newport).

Finally, Father Leo Huver of St. John’s Church (in Monroe) agreed to talk to the Archbishop and ask for permission for Sunday Masses in the summertime. Approval came on June 15, 1944, and the first Mass was said in the clubhouse ballroom by Fr. Leo Huver on June 25, 1944. Paul and Bernard Braunlich were altar boys. Mrs. Braunlich furnished linens and flowers for the Mass, and for the Masses that followed. 

William J. Braunlich arranged to have a portable altar constructed, and purchased the necessary altar fixtures. Rupp Funeral Home furnished 150 portable chairs for the opening Sunday. After Mass, the portable altar stone was taken home by the Soncrants. 

Sunday Masses were held in the clubhouse during the summers of 1944, 1945 and 1946. Because of wartime restrictions, no services were held in the clubhouse in 1947, (also note that the church building was being built at this time). The services were held during the summer only, discontinuing each Labor Day. 

Mr. Braunlich had a notice printed of the Sunday services, and these were placed in 15 stores along the highway, together with an announcement in the local newspaper. 224 attended the first Sunday, 305 the second Sunday, 350 the third Sunday and 375 the fourth Sunday that first year. Average Sunday attendance for the season was approximately 350 people each week. The collection at the first Mass, taken up by Mr. Braunlich, was approximately $65.00.

Prior to the Services, William J. Braunlich sent out postal cards to 1100 property owners, asking if they would like to have Sunday services in the area. 164 Catholic families, 65 Lutheran families, and 48 Protestant families expressed a desire to attend services at Detroit Beach. The services were for English speaking people, and to the writer’s (Mr. Braunlich) knowledge, attendance did not drop in any of the surrounding churches.

On Sunday, August 27, 1944, a questionnaire was handed out after the services, and 90 people signed cards indicating a desire to help finance a permanent mission chapel or church in the area.

Mr. Braunlich wrote a letter to the Most Rev. Edward Mooney, Archbishop of Detroit, offering him a piece of land (271’ frontage) on the Dixie Highway, at no cost, providing a chapel of church be built on the site. He also sent other pertinent data showing the location of the five Catholic Churches in Monroe, copies of the questionnaires handed out in August 1944, and a record of the number of people attending Masses at the clubhouse.

In December 1945, an appointment was made with the Archbishop through Fr. William Shaw regarding the proposed mission chapel or church. Fr. Shaw hired Reed Dunbar, Architect, to draw a preliminary sketch, which was submitted to the Archbishop. The proposed size was  60’ by 42’, and it was to seat approximately 250. 

A conference took place in January, 1946, and Archbishop Mooney said that if the group could obtain 600’ of land on the highway, he would consider the approval of the erection of a church, and would help with financing it.

Early in 1946, William J. Braunlich persuaded the National Utilities Company to donate 239’ of highway frontage, and on June 3, 1946 a deed was prepared and executed for the frontage.

Rev. William Shaw approached Mr. Oliver Fix, who agreed to donate a strip of land with a frontage of 60’ and approximately 543’ in depth by 223’ along the South line. This deed was executed on April 5, 1946. John L. Bronson and wife, and Francis I. Navarre, (actually the deed was in Mrs. J. A. Navarre’s name) who were owners of the original parcel offered, deeded the 271’ to Rev. Edward Mooney, Archbishop of Detroit, and on April 15, 1946, all of the deeds were delivered to Rev. William Shaw, who forwarded them to the Chancery Office in Detroit.

At the second meeting with Archbishop Mooney, Fr. William Shaw and William Braunlich offered 600’ of frontage having the approximate value of $10,000.00 to the Archdiocese, at no cost. Rev. Mooney was impressed, and authorized Fr. Shaw to construct a church, not only for the summer services, but for year around use. He also gave assurances that a permanent pastor would be appointed.

The plans for the proposed church were then revised to include a part basement, with a furnace. The size was enlarged to a length of 75’ by 42’, and the seating capacity was increased to 320 persons.

Four bids for the construction of the church were as follows:
    Hale & Emerick                    Contract……..$30,000.00
    G. W. Pickard                        Contract……..$33,233.25
    W. G. Snell & Co.                    Contract……..$37,716.00
    Carl Kohlstrand                    Contract……..$38,000.00

In 1946, because of wartime restrictions, the Government refused permission to give a permit to build the chapel, and considerable correspondence, and discussions were held with the War Board, until finally the restrictions were relaxed. A permit was granted to erect the building. The contract was awarded to Hale & Emerick.

Construction was started in February, 1947, and was completed in August 1947. The total cost, with furnishings, amounted to approximately $40,000.00. A loan from the Archdiocese development Fund was arranged by Fr. Shaw for 34,000.00
The first Mass in the church was said on Sunday, August 10, 1947 by Fr. William Shaw, Pastor of St. John’s Church, Monroe, MI. Arnold Metdepenningen was one of the altar boys.

This first Mass was offered for the donors of property, and for all those who helped to see this new church realized. An appeal was made to parishioners and resort people to furnish the essential items for the Altar, and the adornment of the Sanctuary. A good many people responded to donate in memory of the families, living and dead. Following is a list of some of the donors, as well as the original property donors.

Cash contributions (from $1.00 to $250.00): Karol Babinski, Lottie Babinski, Claude Beaubien, Jack & Stella Bonacor, Grace Campbell, Mrs. Leo Conley, Allen Cook, Stanley Domczalski, Mr. & Mrs. Angelo Gorno, Mary Hackbarth, James Harrington, Jospehine Ignatowicz, Eugene Jackson, Leo Jankowski, Thorvalo & Mary Jorgensen (Dipsy Dee), Michael Katanski, Charles Kehres, Mr. & Mrs. R.C. Kehres, Mr. & Mrs. Carl Kohlstrand, William Kunske, Edward Law, Marian Law, Hilda Littrell, Laurence McGill, Mrs. J. Mahoney, A.C. Maurer, Mose Maulway, Andrew Parzych, Mrs. Leo Philippart, William L. Picard, Henry Plovie, Joseph M. Renier, Charles Rogers, Peter Rottenbucher, Bernard Roy, Edmund St. Marie, Hamilton Sancrant, Carl J. Seacord, Mr. & Mrs. T.J. Seitz, Mrs. Hannah Setterlet, Thurman Spitz, Woodrow Smith, Mrs. Lottie Sochocki, Albertha Strimple, Leonard Stentzler, F. Seutkowski, J. Swy, Mrs. Treppa, Julius Varady, Margaret Wayne, Mrs. H.H. Winters, Stephen Wolfe, J. Zakerski, and John Zaucha.

The first Baptisms were Gerald Albert Mata, who was Baptized in September or October 1947 by Fr. Edward Stevens (or Stephens it shows up both ways in the records.) Fr. Stevens was an assistant pastor at St. John’s Church in Monroe in the late 1940’s.

The first wedding took place November 8, 1947. Ronald and Marge Gillean were the happy couple.

Fr. Clarence Dorsey of St. Joseph’s Academy, in Adrian MI. was appointed June 16, 1948 as the first permanent pastor.

The brick rectory was completed in May 1949, just north of the church, and a hall was built just south of the church. The hall was also finished in May 1949. All of the labor for both of these buildings was furnished gratis.

Fr. Dorsey died September 9, 1949, and the care of the parish was again provided by St. John’s Church.

On June 15, 1950, Fr. Alphonse Madeja was appointed pastor.

In 1950, not only was the parish assigned a new pastor, but storm windows were installed on the rectory, carpeting of the altar step was done, and a vestment case, deep freeze and television were all donated by the Manteuffel family. Leo Philippart donated his labor on setting up the vestment case.
The furnace and oil tank in the parish hall were paid for aby Angelo Gorno and the Manteuffel family. Olin Horney donated a larger tile bed for the septic tank system, which was laid in front of the rectory. The Horneys also donated the White vestments and the dalmatics. Mrs. Laurine McGill, the Joseph Masson family, Harry Lauer, and the Glenn Larrow family donated the altar boy cassocks. Helen Soncrant became the first parish organist about this time.

During 1951, a statue of St. Anthony was donated by Mr. & Mrs. Floyd McCord, a gold vase was donated by Beulah Parsons, and another gold vase was donated by the Dillon family. The Altar Society donated, among other things, a sweeper, a waxing machine, and candle holders. The Church was painted, and gates were erected in the driveways. A porch was attached to the rear of the rectory, and a kitchen was installed in the hall. Two lots adjacent to the rectory, and screens and storm windows for the new porch were donated by Barbara Altar Society donated the sink, stove, hot water heater, and various dishware for the new kitchen.

During 1952, among other items and labor donated to the small parish, a complete set of candle sticks for the main altar were donated by Omer Reaume, and the Sanders family, the Masson family, the Hamilton Sancrant family and the Stanley Domzalski family. Fans were donated by Angelo Gorno and Harry Lawrence. The driveway was laid for the new garage. A new chimney was erected for the hall, and the furnace was moved to provide better heating. The parking lot was improved with stone.

During 1953, candelabras were donated by Joseph Duffey. Votive Heart candle stands for the altar were donated by Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Mason. The Altar Society donated a cabinet for the altar boys, and, with the Ushers Club, paid for the drive between the church and the rectory to be paved. The parking lot was again improved with a bed of stone.

Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Wurtsmith suggested that a weekly bulletin be written, and Fr. Madeja was agreeable. Mr. Wurtsmith further suggested that he would contact the local merchants to interest them in advertising in the bulletin, thus making it self-supporting. Mrs. Wurtsmith volunteered her services to prepare and print the bulletin each week. The fist weekly bulletin was distributed on January 3, 1954.

Other donations in 1953 & 1954 included two sets of Gothic vestments, donated by the Bernard Roy family, a septic tank and tile bed for the hall, donated by the Horney family, and rubber floor mats at the entrance of the church, donated by the Altar Society.

During 1955, the church and the hall were painted inside and out. A new Communion Rail was donated by the Charles Rogers family, new pews were installed, and a new Missal and Altar Cards were purchased. Nuns from Ida took a Parish Census, and listed 380 registered, full-year families.
In 1956, Fr, Madeja celebrated his Silver Jubilee as a priest. The parish debt was cleared. The Infant of Prague statue was donated by Mr. & Mrs. S. Grochowski. Major improvements were made to the hall, and a new organ was installed in the church. A promise in writing was given by Mother Mary Annuncia, Provincial Superior of the Felician Sisters, to staff St. Anne’s School, starting in 1959, or whenever the buildings were ready. This letter was dated November 1, 1956.

During 1957, the confessional was completely sound-proofed.

July 18, 1957 was the beginning of the first Novena to St. Anne. St. Anne’s Shrine was begun. The shrine had been the idea of three women that had attended the first Novena. The three donated $1,500.00 toward the building of the shrine. Other donations boosted the building fund to $2,400.00

The rocks were donated by the parishioners and come from all over the United States. Some people can still point out he rocks their family donated. All the labor to actually build the shrine was donated by Alex Mata, with assistance by Clem Roberts.

A 1958 newspaper article from the Monroe Evening News states that more than 500 hours were spent moving the various rocks into their positions, then mortaring them into place.

The St. Anne Statue for the shrine was donated by the Jankowski family, of Stoney Point. It was made in Italy and imported especially for the shrine.

The shrine was completed in the spring of 1958. The blessing of the Shrine took place at the conclusion of the Novena to St. Anne on July 26, 1958. Mr. Joseph Poleo had donated much time and expense to landscaping the grounds for the event.

By 1959, there were 420 registered families in the parish. A building drive was started for the building of a school and convent. Over $100,000.00 was pledged by the registered families, and over $4,300.00 was pledged by the summer residents the following summer. A tentative opening date of 1962 was given, with a renewed promise from the Felician sisters to teach when it opened. Permission from the Chancery to proceed with the school building was obtained in 1961, and an architect prepared preliminary plans which were presented in mid-1961. Final plans were approved October 30, 1961, and permission to request bids for a six classroom building, and convent to house approximately seven Sisters was granted.
The following agreements were approved by the Chancery, and permission to sign was granted December 6, 1961. The total school and convent construction were bid at $168,620.00. Also, a water well needed to be drilled (2,632.40 base bid), and the buildings needed to be furnished. It was estimated that the total cost would be $189,442.20. Permission was granted to borrow $35,000.00 in order to meet the cost of construction. The parish had $150,000.00 on deposit with the Archdiocese at the time. Fr. Madeja turned the first shovelful of sod for the school and convent on December 10, 1961. 

The school opened for the 1962-63 academic year, with four classrooms, each to house double grades. The first principal was Sister Mary Ludwina.

Fr. Madeja transferred to Our Lady Queen of Apostles Catholic Church in Hamtramick in June 1967, after serving 17 years as pastor at St. Anne’s.

The third pastor to come to the parish was Fr. Italo Tucci. Fr. Tucci came to Monroe after serving as assistant pastor at Assumption Grotto Parish in Detroit.

Fr. Tucci celebrated the Mass for the 20th anniversary on August 10, 1967. At that time, the parish had more than 450 families registered.

Fr. Tucci was the pastor during the first renovation and expansion of the church building, In 1969. An article from the Monroe Evening News dated April 24, 1969 states that the plans for a $100,000.00 addition had been approved by the Archdiocese, and that bids would be solicited in Mary 1969. The plans were for an additional 2,733 square feet, almost doubling the church seating capacity. The Sanctuary was to be remodeled, and the positions of the Baptismal font, the organ and the confessional were to be moved. A canopied ramp to the drives would eliminate steps at the front entrance. Members of the church working with Fr. Tucci on the plans were Joseph Beaudry, Able Fix, Arnold Metdepenningen, James Raymo and Thomas Sisung.

While in Monroe, Fr. Tucci also served on the board of the Monroe County Chapter of the American Red Cross, and the Monroe County Commission on Aging. He was instrumental in establishing the Frenchtown Senior Citizens Center. While pastor, St. Anne’s Preschool program was started for four- and five-year old children. Shortly before he left, the first parish council was formed.

Fr. Tucci was transferred to St. Germaine Parish in St. Clair Shores, MI. in January 1977. Fr. Sidney Eckert served as administrator for the parish from January 1977 to early Mary 1977. While Fr. Eckert was there, the first female adult lector (Theresa Kenyon), and the first female youth lector (Michell Levay Richards) made their debut. Receiving the Eucharist under both forms at Sunday Mass was also introduced during this time period.

The fourth pastor appointed to St. Anne’s was Fr. Joseph Habrovsky, who was appointed in mid May 1977. The first group installation of Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist took place in late May 1977.

By August, 1979 the church had been connected to the new city water and sewer system, the parking lot was resurfaced, and a new heating system had been installed in the church.

In August 1979, Fr. James Kenneally came as administrator for the parish. In October 1979, Fr. Kenneally was appointed as St. Anne’s fifth pastor. One of his first projects as pastor was to initiate an adult religious education program called Geneses II. A yearbook and directory of the parish was published in 1979, which is where some of the pictures in this booklet came from.

In 1984, St. Anne’s School closed due to low enrollment. The building was sold to the Jefferson Consolidated School district. Jefferson turned the former school into and administrative building (which doubles as a polling place during elections).

Fr. Kenneally transferred to Sacred Heart Parish in Detroit in early July 1984. Fr. John Christ was appointed the sixth pastor of St. Anne in late August 1984.

Fr. Christ transferred in April 1986. Fr. Gary Tierney was appointed as the seventh pastor to the parish in July 1986.


In April 1988, the Comboni Missionaries moved into the former St. Anne Convent. The Comboni Fathers originally had planned to retain some of the original property on Nadeau road, and build a new, smaller Comboni Center there, but found that economically it was more practical to purchase an existing building. The former St. Anne convent had been used as the parish office, after the school had closed, but there were plans to build a new parish hall with office space. When approached by the Comboni Fathers about the possible purchase of the property, the idea was found to be economically sound and well as practical. The Comboni Fathers would prove to be very good neighbors for the next few years. The former Comboni property was purchased by the Brother of the Holy Cross, and turned into the Moreau Center for troubled youths,

In late 1988 plans were formulated and work commenced on a new hall/office complex. Remodeling the church was also decided on.

Fr. Tierney was transferred to Guardian Angles Parish in Clawson, Michigan July 1989.

Fr. David Brock became the eighth pastor in July 1989. Fr. Brock was a retired Navy chaplain who saw the building and remodeling to completion.

In November 1990, the new church hall, and newly renovated church were again rededicated, this time by Archbishop Adam J. Maida. The $750,000.00 project had taken slightly more than 18 months to complete. There were 350 families registered at the time.

In November 1995 a housing for the church bell was built in front of the church, courtesy of Ft. Brock. It was dedicated by Bishop Schoenherr on November 12, 1995. 

Fr. Thomas Byrne was appointed temporary administrator of the parish in July 1996. He retired in May 1997.

Fr. William Fisher OSFS was appointed pastor in May 1997 as well as retaining being pastor at St. Joseph’s Monroe and is assigned to St. Anne.

A 50th Anniversary celebration was held the weekend of October 26 & 27, 1997. On Saturday evening, Exposition and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament was held after the Saturday evening Mass. On Sunday a brunch was held after the 11:30am Mass. All of the former pastors of the parish were invited to attend.