Is it possible for a building to embody the spirit of a community? I think St. Hyacinth Church does exactly that. It stands here a testament to faith heritage and the enduring spirit of Detroit’s Polish community.
St. Hyacinth Church has a rich history. It began with a small group of Polish immigrants in the early 1900s. These families had moved northeast from the original Polish neighborhood. They wanted a church closer to their new homes.
In 1907, they appealed to Bishop John S. Foley for a new Polish parish. Father Sylvester Kolkiewicz was appointed to organize it. On May 8, 1907 St. Hyacinth Roman Catholic Parish was officially founded.
The first church was built in just sixteen days. It was a small frame building on Frederick Street. Before that, Masses were held in the home of Martin Tesmar. His house was at the corner of McDougall and Theodore streets.
Just a year later in 1908, a new church and school building were completed. It cost $35,000. The building towered over the other new structures in the area. This building still stands today on the corner of Frederick and McDougall. Sister Mary Celine was the first school principal.
In 1922, Father Francis Baweja proposed building a new St. Hyacinth Church. Bishop Michael J. Gallagher approved the plan. He commissioned architects Donaldson and Meier to design the new church and rectory. July 4, 1922, was groundbreaking day.
On May 25, 1924, Bishop Gallagher blessed the new church. The Byzantine-Romanesque style church cost $300,000. It became the pride of everyone on McDougall Avenue.
Father Stefan Woznicki assisted Father Baweja. He unofficially worked at St. Hyacinth. He offered spiritual advice. At age 31, he became the youngest Monsignor in the world.
Father Baweja and Msgr. Woznicki carefully chose the interior paint and decorations. They visited churches in Canada and St. Louis for ideas. The interior decoration was completed by 1928.
In 1932, St. Hyacinth Church celebrated its 25th anniversary. They published an anniversary book in Polish. It featured Father Kolkiewicz on the cover.
During World War II, parishioners rallied to support their brothers and sisters in Poland. An Honor Roll of servicemen was installed in the church vestibule. Arthur Nowicki was the first St. Hyacinth serviceman killed in the war.
Throughout its history St. Hyacinth has faced challenges. In the 1970s, grade school enrollments declined. Parishioners organized fundraisers to support the school. In 1990, the grade school closed due to a lack of students.
In 2001, artist Dennis Orlowski painted a Polish-American Heritage Mural. It is over the main entrance. It celebrated Detroit’s tricentennial.
In 2002, the church underwent a major interior painting. The white background of the cupolas was replaced with real gold leaf.
Today St. Hyacinth Church remains a beacon. It is a testament to the enduring legacy of Detroit’s Polish community. It is a place where faith, heritage, and community intertwine. The church preserves the traditions. It also embraces the future.