St. Thomas Aquinas Parish

kellison71
3 days ago
5 min read

“The Most Reverend Stephen S. Woznicki, bishop of the Saginaw Catholic Diocese, today announced the establishment of a new parish in Saginaw Township to be known as St. Thomas Aquinas Parish.

Future parish buildings will be located on site along State Road in the Berberovich Subdivision. The site was donated by Dr. Thomas F. Berberovich. In perhaps a year’s time a new monastery will be built on the property for the Franciscan Fathers, who will minister to the new parish, it was announced.”

-The Saginaw News, March 8, 1953.

In the years following World War II, numerous subdivisions were developed to accommodate Saginaw County’s growing population. Most were close to the city of Saginaw and convenient to amenities offered by the municipality – these included high schools. Located at the western edge of the City of Saginaw, Saginaw Township was experiencing incredible growth, especially along the State Street corridor. Berberovich Subdivision was one of the numerous new developments. At the same time, new congregations of all denominations were formed to meet the needs of a growing population, and the Catholic Diocese of Saginaw would form several new parishes. One of these was St. Thomas Aquinas.

When organized, St. Thomas Aquinas Parish was served through St. Stephen’s Parish. As it developed, the first building to be constructed was a Monastery. Before it was completed. The Saginaw News announced: “The first masses marking the official beginning of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic parish will be heard by church members on Sunday [September 6, 1953] at the Saginaw Township Hall, Shattuck and North Center Roads.” (The Saginaw News, September 5, 1953.)

“On October 28, 1956, a ten classroom building - of which four were used as a school, two as a hall and four as a temporary church to seat 330 - was dedicated. The second building phase was dedicated on October 16, 1960, consisting of a gymnasium (temporary and still present church) and basement parish hall. The final phase of seven additional classrooms, locker and storage rooms was completed in time for school opening on September,1965.*” (St. Thomas Acquinas Parish 1970 Directory.)

The congregation continued to thrive.

“In September 1971, a steering committee met to draft a Constitution for a Parish Council at St Thomas Aquinas Parish. That winter, 14 members were elected to the Council with Ronald Snow elected as the first President. In the June 18, 1972 church bulletin was the news that the Finance and Building Committees of the Parish Council had picked a site and accepted a preliminary design for a new church. In July 1972 a change of leadership among the Franciscans and changing needs of the modern Church led the Franciscans to establish a team pastorate which each man using his talents in his own areas of competency. At that time, 978 families belonged to the parish. By September 1974, the number had grown past 1150.

On April 20, 1972, a request was submitted to the Diocese of Saginaw Building Commission and granted to retain an architect to plan a church which would seat 1000 people. Architect Robert Thiel of Schmidt-Thiel and Company began preliminary design work. On September 15, 1972, final permission was received from then Bishop Francis Reh to go ahead with the church building project. The Church design was influenced greatly by the decrees of II Vatican Council which encouraged that new churches be built to encourage more active participation by the faithful in the celebration of liturgical services. Early construction costs were paid through the generosity of the trust fund established by the late Dr. Thomas Berberovich which was valued at over $400,000. As the building progressed, the time came for the people of the parish to take up the challenge of completing the financing of the project. Kick-off of the fund drive as November 25, 1973. Through the hard work of the volunteers and the generosity of over 760 families, $300,000 in pledges were received by the end of the General Fund Drive.

As the structural plans progressed, Stanley Estkowski of Milwaukee, WI was commissioned to do the interior liturgical design. On May 21, 1973, the Parish Council approved the interior design and architectural plans for the Church and three days later permission was received from the Diocesan Building Commission to seek construction bids. Bids were opened on June 13, 1973 with contracts totaling $584,364 for the general, electrical and mechanical work signed with Engelhardt Construction Company, Remer Plumbing and Heating, Inc. and Atherton Electric Company. With architect fees, seating, carpeting, interior appointments, furniture and landscaping, the total cost of the project was expected to reach $700,000.” (From: https://stasaginaw.org/about-us).

The Recipe: Ruth Doyle’s Sloppy Joes

1 lb. ground beef

1 chopped onion

14 oz. bottle catsup

2 T. sugar

1 T. vinegar

1 T. dry mustard

1 tsp. Worcestershire Salt and pepper

Brown and drain the ground beef and onion. Add remaining ingredients and simmer for 1 hour.

Ruth Doyle

-From Friar’s Feast – published by St. Thomas Aquinas Parish. Date unknown.

CTK Notes: This is a classic sloppy joe recipe. It is simple and easily prepared. The next time we make it, we may try to offset the dominating ketchup flavor by the addition of additional vinegar, dry mustard and Worcestershire sauce.

We turn to Ruth Doyle’s obituary for an outline of her life:

“Doyle, Mrs. Ruth C. Saginaw, Michigan

Loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother passed away Monday, May 25, 2015 at St. Mary's of Michigan Medical Center. Age 87 years. Daughter of the late Benjamin and Caroline (Hahn) Lemmer, Ruth was born November 2, 1927 in Saginaw, Michigan. She was married to John F. "Jack" Doyle on May 14, 1949. He survives her. Ruth was employed at People's Building and Loan and St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church as a secretary for 16 years. She was a member of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church and the Assistance League. Ruth was an avid bridge player, golfer and a lover of her iPad and Facebook. She loved her family and friends and was a very good caregiver to those in need. Surviving besides her husband Jack are two sons and one daughter, John and Cathy Doyle, Saginaw; Debra Doyle, Western Maryland; Matthew and Jennie Doyle, Saginaw; nine grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; her sister, Joanne Brechtelsbauer, North Carolina; her brother, Robert and Marie Lemmer, Saginaw; a special friend, Pat Theuer, Saginaw; several nieces and nephews. Ruth was preceded in death by her son, Donald Doyle and three brothers, William, Don and Benjamin Lemmer. Honoring Mrs. Doyle's wishes cremation has taken place. Funeral Liturgy will take place 10:30 a.m. Monday, June 1, 2015 at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 5376 State St., Saginaw. Rev. Fr. Richard A. Bokinskie will officiate with private burial at St. Andrew Cemetery. Friends may visit at the church where the family will be present on Monday from 9:30 a.m. until time of Mass. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church. Arrangements entrusted to The Snow Funeral Home, Saginaw, Michigan. (The Saginaw News, May 31, 2015).

*These buildings were designed by Jospeh Goddeyne. Although noted for his elegant mid-century modern designs, Goddeyne was adept at adapting historical styles. We will explore some of Goddeyne’s Saginaw church designs next week.