  Concon Member Username: Concon Post Number: 6 Registered: 04-2007 |
To correct a 2006 posting, let me say that we who were members of St. Albertus R.C.C. are maintaining it so that it continues to be alive and active. Masses are held generally every two weeks and the site can be viewed for the schedule. It was most regretable that the first "Polish American Cardinal," Edmund Szoka, in Detroit chose to close the church in 1989 but we are trying to maintain it, despite the sacrifices. We invite all to attend and help. St Albertus Church, Detroit Founded in 1872, St. Albertus was the first Polish Roman Catholic Church in Detroit, Michigan. ... St. Albertus has been designated by the State of ...www.stalbertus.org For more information, contact Matt Baka, who lives there, <albertus1884@yahoo.com>. This is the 2006 posting that is in error. Alas! Poor St. Albertus, The original and the first Polish dominate church in Detroit's lower east side. | ||
Detroitstar Member Username: Detroitstar Post Number: 575 Registered: 01-2006 |
I visited St. Albertus for the first time last fall. It was truly an amazing church. I have experience and knowledge in church maintenance-especially those not regularly in use. I would like to help out with this group if there is anything that can be done to keep this jewel in top condition. | ||
Bulletmagnet Member Username: Bulletmagnet Post Number: 381 Registered: 01-2007 |
A photo of the school from a few months back: http://farm1.static.flickr.com /179/408245051_5f666478b1_b.jp g | ||
Larry Member Username: Larry Post Number: 149 Registered: 08-2004 |
I'd be curious to know how many people turn up to mass at St Albertus, as well the other churches in the cluster, St Josaphat, Sweetest Heart Of Mary. | ||
Buddyinrichmond Member Username: Buddyinrichmond Post Number: 158 Registered: 02-2004 |
Sometimes it's best to treat it like the old days and get off your ass and attend. | ||
Larry Member Username: Larry Post Number: 150 Registered: 08-2004 |
I'd love to but I live in Illinois. | ||
Swiburn Member Username: Swiburn Post Number: 112 Registered: 07-2006 |
There seemed a good crowd at St. Josaphat's the time I went there (I'm from out state )-very friendly, an upbeat atmosphere. Sweetest Heart of Mary is surrounded by fences and gates that are locked shortly after mass is over, which gives a rather "prison-like" mentality to the place. It may subliminally seep down to the church goers there, also. | ||
Mrjoshua Member Username: Mrjoshua Post Number: 1313 Registered: 03-2005 |
Albertus routinely brings in 25-50 people to its mass. | ||
Bulletmagnet Member Username: Bulletmagnet Post Number: 394 Registered: 01-2007 |
Here is another snap I ran across: http://i148.photobucket.com/al bums/s22/bulletmagnet69/100_30 93.jpg?t=1178159155 | ||
Fishtoes2000 Member Username: Fishtoes2000 Post Number: 199 Registered: 06-2005 |
Here's a photo gallery from a 2003 Critical Mass bike ride (and St. Albertus church tour): http://www.m-bike.org/gallery/ april2003 | ||
Kurpie Member Username: Kurpie Post Number: 2 Registered: 04-2007 |
Poletown was historically not only the Immaculate Conception Church, closed and destroyed for the GM Plant, but historically included St. Albertus, St. Stanislaus, Sweetest Heart of Mary, St. Hyacinth, Immaculate Conception and St. Josaphats. The break-up and destruction of the Poletown area began decades ago. A large part was destroyed by the building of the Ford and Chrysler Freeways, and no Polish attorneys helped the evicted people get proper compensation for their losses. Again during the destruction of the Immaculate Conception Church, the then vicar of the area. Bishop Arthur Krawczak, refused to help and did not pay a visit to the church offering spiritual feelings and solace. Further when low cost housing was built in the area and the then residents submitted applications, they were told that their applications were lost. | ||
Larry Member Username: Larry Post Number: 152 Registered: 08-2004 |
The book "Polish Detroit And The Kolasinski Affair" by Lawrence Orton, has several mentions of St Albertus. | ||
Bulletmagnet Member Username: Bulletmagnet Post Number: 397 Registered: 01-2007 |
The lack of action, the seeming corruption, along with the freeway construction, all lent itself to what is left of Poletown today. Thanks for the history all. This is a sad and interesting story, which has yet to be concluded. | ||
Paulmcall Member Username: Paulmcall Post Number: 102 Registered: 05-2004 |
There is a good reason why they have gates and fences surrounding the parking lot. Do they still have guys guarding the cars on the street during services at St. Albertus? I wouldn't want to attend church there unless someone I knew was watching my car. | ||
Swiburn Member Username: Swiburn Post Number: 115 Registered: 07-2006 |
St. Josaphat Church was fine-we parked on the street. No gates. But Sweetest Heart of Mary had a very depressing, prison like atmosphere surrounding it.(most likely due to the gates) I was shocked at the neighborhood surrounding St. Albertus. It looked like one of the poorest in the city. However, I didn't see any security guards in the parking lot on a Sunday a.m. There were a few people inside, working on Christmas Eve mass plans. But I question keeping up a church as a hobby-much like St. John Cantius was kept going. | ||
Larry Member Username: Larry Post Number: 154 Registered: 08-2004 |
Still, their's so much beauty in places like St Albertus and Sweetest Heart Of Mary that it gives you hope for tomorrow. | ||
Rfban Member Username: Rfban Post Number: 64 Registered: 02-2004 |
Absolutely nothing happens around St. Albertus. Density is low; there are barley any houses left, no businesses and few people. I would not be worried about your car. It is a great church and the people are doing what they can for now keep things in tack. I encourage people to go; they need as much assistance and capital as possible. | ||
Pam Member Username: Pam Post Number: 1490 Registered: 11-2005 |
quote: I went to mass at St. Albertus last year and there was a store front church kitty corner to it that was also having services. No one stole our car. | ||
Michigansheik Member Username: Michigansheik Post Number: 189 Registered: 09-2005 |
st albertus is my friend on myspace, thanks baka! | ||
Charlottepaul Member Username: Charlottepaul Post Number: 949 Registered: 10-2006 |
Are there regularly armed police officers in front of churches in Detroit? The one I have been going to here in downtown Charlotte, NC has a uniformed armed city police officer in front the whole morning. I haven't asked any members if maybe there was a specific incident that later lead to an officer regularly being there now. It did get me thinking that I don't think anywhere in Detroit the DPD is in armed attendance on Sunday mornings regularly at an churches, are they? | ||
Swiburn Member Username: Swiburn Post Number: 116 Registered: 07-2006 |
Well, I didn't see any guards at St. Josaphat, Sweetest Heart or St. Albertus. I parked on the street and had no problem. There are homeless people around who might ask you for money, however, and they have to be kept out of the church because they harass people and leave their food, liquor bottles, etc. on the pews. | ||
Kurpie Member Username: Kurpie Post Number: 3 Registered: 04-2007 |
subway in Detroit. Interested in info. A lot of Detroit is above the old salt mines, no longer used. Why cant these be utilized for a subway line, it is already dug up and open. I would appreciate someone clearing this up. | ||
Albertus1884 Member Username: Albertus1884 Post Number: 1 Registered: 06-2007 |
The area around St. Albertus is mostly open fields, with little foot traffic but considerable road traffic(it's a heavy route for trucks to Eastern Market). I've been a volunteer there for about 8 years and have never heard of anyone's car been tampered with | ||
Albertus1884 Member Username: Albertus1884 Post Number: 2 Registered: 06-2007 |
also the Church is open for viewing on Saturdays during the summer, from 10am to usually about 3pm, depending on how late the volunteers keep it open | ||
Concon Member Username: Concon Post Number: 13 Registered: 04-2007 |
All, As the first Polish Roman Catholic Church in Detroit, there are many histories. Rev. Joseph Swastek wrote "Detroit's Oldest Polish Parish: St. Albertus," (Detroit: St. Albertus, 1973). | ||
Mauser765 Member Username: Mauser765 Post Number: 1537 Registered: 01-2004 |
http://www.detroitfunk.com/200 6/10/01/st_albertus.htm http://www.detroitfunk.com/200 6/09/07/sweetest_heart_of_mary .htm http://www.detroitfunk.com/200 6/09/06/st_josaphat.htm | ||
Terryh Member Username: Terryh Post Number: 353 Registered: 11-2006 |
The riot of 43 spilled into that neighborhood: there was a brawl at that park,cant think of the name right off hand, and a black man was shot while standing at the intersection of Mack and Chene. The area that the church is in has some what of a rural appearance.Chene still has a few buildings with Polish names. 1920s and 30s the area would have been bordered by the Oakland Avenue Jewish-black community and Italian neighborhoods farther east. | ||
Humanmachinery Member Username: Humanmachinery Post Number: 25 Registered: 07-2006 |
I took no joy in growing up Catholic, and yet... that is a gorgeous church. The passion and percision in the architecture is gorgeous. It cannot be allowed to fall to the wrecking ball. | ||
Redhoney313 Member Username: Redhoney313 Post Number: 2 Registered: 09-2008 |
I was married at St. Albertus on 6/13/08. The group was absolutely wonderful in acomodating the wedding party and the rehearsal. It was super affordable at $300 for everything... I'd like to spread the word! If anyone is looking for a gorgeous, historic church... this is it!   | ||
Eastsidedame Member Username: Eastsidedame Post Number: 580 Registered: 12-2006 |
That is so beautiful. It's not just a church. It's a work of art. |
