Here stands Our Lady Queen of Heaven Good Shepherd Church a testament to faith. It is also a symbol of community in Detroit. This parish has a fascinating history. It reflects the changing face of the city.
Our Lady Queen of Heaven parish began in 1929. Fr Albert Mrowka founded it. The Archdiocese of Detroit created it. It was meant to serve the growing number of Polish Catholic immigrants. These immigrants were moving to Detroit’s outskirts.
Many Polish immigrants came to Detroit. The Archdiocese established parishes. These parishes had Polish-speaking priests. The priests ministered to their spiritual needs. Hamtramck became a Polish enclave. Poles assimilated into American society. They moved from their neighborhoods. They sought a better lifestyle.
By the 1920s many moved to the city’s edge. They settled on farmlands. Farmers quickly developed these into subdivisions. One attractive area was near Van Dyke and Seven Mile Road. John G Hafeli was a local farmer. He became a catalyst for a new neighborhood. He also helped start a new Catholic parish. His 13 acres became the location for Our Lady Queen of Heaven parish.
In the late 1920s many people moved into the new neighborhoods. The Archdiocese of Detroit searched for property. They wanted to build a new Catholic parish. John G Hafeli petitioned the Archdiocese. He wanted to form a new parish. It would minister to area Catholics. In early 1929 the Archdiocese bought a five-acre plot. It was purchased from the Hafeli farm.
The new parish was first named Our Lady of Czestochowa. Many people could not pronounce it. They determined it was too Polish. Bishop Gallagher appointed a pastor. The parish name changed to Our Lady Queen of Heaven.
The Great Depression struck in 1929. Fr Albert Mrowka became the parish’s first pastor. He came from St Michael parish in Port Austin MI. John Hafeli gave him a house at 8037 Rolyat. He used it as a rectory. John’s brother Henry owned stores on Van Dyke. He gave Fr Mrowka two of them. These were used for organizing the new parish. The first parish Mass was held on November 17 1929.
The congregation had 125 families. They planned to build a church for Mass. They also planned a school for the children. Fr Mrowka got a commitment from the Sisters of St Francis. They would staff the school. The new facility would be a combination church and school. The idea was to get a building up quickly. A free-standing church would come later. In 1931 Fr Mrowka acquired two residences on Rolyat. These were used for the rectory and convent.
In the 1930s people had little money. They created their own social events. These events were closely tied to the local Catholic church. The first parish organization was the St Ann Sodality. It formed in 1929. It helped secure and maintain the altar needs for Masses.
Other organizations grew quickly. These included the Ushers Club. There was also the Holy Name Society. The Young Ladies Sodality also formed. The Q of H chapter of the League of Catholic Women was active. There was even a Dramatic Club. Fr Edmond Wilschon organized it in 1937.
The school continued to grow. In 1935 money was raised. It expanded the combination church and school building. A new auditorium was built.
By 1944 the school had 960 students. This rivaled many private high schools. Parishioners raised funds. They built a temporary church structure. They added a rectory and office building. A convent and school addition also came. Construction completed the parish complex. A permanent church began in 1955. It was completed in 1959. It was dedicated on November 11 of that year. In 1963 a bell tower and baptistry were built.
Societal changes came in the 1970s. Our Lady Queen of Heaven saw decreasing membership. School enrollment also declined. Fr Albert Mrowka retired in 1968. His appointment had begun 39 years prior. He died on October 8 1976. This followed a stroke two years earlier.
Our Lady Queen of Heaven survived. New pastors came over the years. The school continued to lose enrollment. It eventually closed. Dove Academy leased the building. It provided the parish with income.
Today Our Lady Queen of Heaven continues to meet new challenges. It maintains viable groups. These provide leadership and social functions. The merging of parishes with Good Shepherd provides new members. These members participate in organizations. Examples are Christian Service the Choir and the Social Club.
Our Lady Queen of Heaven parish has followed the dreams of Fr Albert Mrowka. It has also met the expectations of its founders. Together they created a faith community. They have lived worshipped and grieved together. The parish has succeeded through hardship wartime and changing times. The parish stands as one of Detroit’s spiritual communities. It shows deep roots.