How about stepping back in time to explore the story of Our Lady of Grace Parish? Ground was broken for Our Lady of Grace on December 3 1950. The cornerstone was blessed on July 1 1951. The church was completed in early 1952.
The first Mass at Our Lady of Grace Parish was on Palm Sunday of that year. Bishop Zaleski dedicated the church on September 21 1952. A permanent convent was completed the same year.
Our Lady of Grace Parish has a rich history. Fr Albero Amrhein became the second pastor in 1953. He ministered at the parish for five years. A parish hall was added in 1953. A gymnasium was added in 1957.
Child parishes of St Anselm and St Sabina were soon created. Fr Timothy Mock became the third pastor in 1958. The parish had 1500 registered families at the time. He helped establish Bishop Borgess high School. It was a regional multi-parish school.
In 1963 Fr Mock was replaced by Fr Egbert Heinlein. Fr Heinlein retired in 1977. He was replaced by Fr Reinhold Schmitt. Fr Polycarp Versteijlen began a two-year pastorate in 1980. He died suddenly of a heart attack on July 23 1982.
In January 1983 Fr Kevin O’Doherty became pastor. He had been serving a mission in Africa. After eight years Fr O’Doherty returned to missionary work. At this point the Mariannhill Fathers ended their direction of the parish. They remained as weekend assistants.
Fr Ron Cyprys became pastor in August 1991. He was a diocesan priest. He served with retired Fr Charlie O’Neill. Fr Ron was pastor for 16 years. He died on July 29 2007. Deacon Robert DeWitt has ministered at the parish for 29 years.
Fr Donald Walker was ordained in 1958. He briefly retired in 2006. He became administrator at Our Lady of Grace in 2007. Two years later he also took over leadership of St Hilary in Redford Township.
Our Lady of Grace School closed in 2000. The Our Lady of Grace parish clustered with nearby St Sabina in 2012. St Hilary Parish closed and merged with St John Bosco in 2014. Fr Walker remained administrator at Our Lady of Grace.
The church stands on Joy Rd two blocks east of Telegraph. It is in the northeast part of Dearborn Heights. Saturday Vigil Mass is at 4:00pm. Reconciliation precedes it from 3:00pm-3:30pm. Sunday Mass is at 9:30am. Daily Mass is in the chapel at 8:30am on Monday Tuesday and Friday.
Inside Our Lady of Grace Parish admire the art. St Anne with Child Mary is there. St Joseph is perched above side doors. A statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary stands outside the sacristy. The Infant of Prague and Our Lady of Grace stand near the entrance to the chapel. Stained-glass windows above doorways depict Christ the King and Baptism.
Unfortunately Our Lady of Grace closed next June and merged with St Sabina. The final Mass was scheduled for June 18 2017.
Our Lady of Grace Vietnamese Parish is now located in Warren. It was previously in Eastpointe. It moved to Warren in 2012. This happened when it merged with St Cletus Church. Our Lady of Grace had an increasing parishioner base. It needed a larger facility. So it was combined with another church with a declining number of parishioners. The faith community of Our Lady of Grace Vietnamese welcomes you. Mass times are listed. Saturday is at 4:00pm. Sunday is at 9:00am and 12:00pm. The 12:00pm Mass is in Vietnamese. Tuesday is at 8:00pm in Vietnamese. Weekdays are at 8:30am on Monday Wednesday Thursday Friday and Saturday. Confessions are Saturday 2:00pm-3:00pm. Sunday is 11:45am-12:00pm in Vietnamese.
Today Our Lady of Grace Parish continues as a beacon of faith. It enriches the lives of many. Its history is a testament to the enduring power of community and devotion.