Parish History from the 2000 Parish Directory

Like the beginning of many other parishes in the New World, Sacred Heart Church had it's origin in the faith and zeal of a few Irish families who were scattered throughout this part of the county. Some Catholic families had settled in Verona Township before the village of Bad Axe was formed. Two or three times a year, they would gather to celebrate mass with Father Roche, who was Pastor of the church in Port Austin. He had spiritual charge of most of Huron County, the northern part of Sanilac County, and the eastern part of Tuscola County. He came to Port Austin around 1865, and was transferred to Essexville in Bay County in 1880, where he died in 1900. Father Roche was the first English?speaking priest. He was not the first resident priest in Huron County. Father Kluck, who lived in Sherman Township, preceded him. Father Kluck served the Germans and the Poles who lived in that vicinity. Father Kluck is buried in the graveyard near the old church in Sherman Township.

Joseph Murray was a prominent early Catholic settler, and it was in his house that holy mass was said for a number of years. Other prominent Catholics at the time were John Burns, Joseph Minnick, and Joseph Malloy. They took an active part in the early church. Charles McAvoy and Michael Scully lived in Bad Axe, and promoted the cause of the church there. When the railroad reached Bad Axe in 1882, Charles McAvoy's house replaced Joseph Murray's as a place of worship. Father Langel was now Pastor of Port Austin, and came by railroad five or six times a year to promote the spiritual welfare of the growing number of people. Mr. McAvoy's house soon became too small, and Dr. M.C. McDonnell owned a drug store, over which was a hall. This was used for 5 years when people would meet on some weekday, when the priest could come to Bad Axe to hear confessions and say mass.

In 1888, the people began to talk of building a new church, and Joseph Murray, Michael Scully, Charles McAvoy, and Michael Holland were appointed as the committee to select a site, and to secure the material for the building. Bad Axe was growing, and property prices were rising. On November 1, 1888, a lot was purchased for $200.00 from Casper H. Burgess by Bishop John S. Foley of Detroit, for the church site. In 1889, the Sacred Heart Church was built by the Labelle brothers, and dedicated by The Rt. Rev. John S. Foley, Bishop of Detroit. Father A.P Ternes was then Pastor of Port Austin, and his untiring efforts with the active cooperation of the 36 families that comprised the mission, led to the success of this undertaking. These families had limited means, and few were able to give much except a day's work. A beautiful little church was built, which merited praise from the Bishop.

Martin Conaton was then Sheriff of Huron County, and the Bishop was his guest on that occasion. A roster of Catholics who comprised the mission at that time were as follows:

John Ryan and Joseph Fremont were also involved with the endeavor.

The new church was named in the honor of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and was part of the spiritual charge of the Pastor of Port Austin until 1892, when Father Heller located here for a short time. Father Gzella of Port Austin attended to the church's needs until 1894, when Bad Axe Parish was attached to the Palms mission, under the direction of Father Burke. Father Burke had a large mission to look after, but found time to come to Bad Axe one Sunday a month.
In October 1897, the Rev. James Stapleton was appointed in charge of Bad Axe and Sand Beach. He was a resident of St. Clair County, where he was born on August 20, 1868. He was educated in a public school, St. Jerome's College, and finally in the sulpicion's Seminary of Baltimore, where he graduated. He was ordained in July 1896, and was at St. John's Church in Jackson for a year before he became the resident Pastor in Bad Axe. In 1898, Father Stapleton chose Bad Axe as his residence, and a comfortable parish house was built. He bought enough land to build a church, a future school, and land for a cemetery. In 1901, the church was repaired, and the sanctuary and sacristy was built for $1,200. In 1905, the church was in good and prosperous condition, with a balance in the treasury and a small debt on the property of $600. Father Stapleton wrote that Sacred Heart was as "a handsome piece of church property as was to be seen in the State of Michigan".

Under his care, membership of the church had grown to 70 families. In 1899, Father Stapleton ceased to be Pastor of Sand Beach when Father Herrigan was sent there. People at Sacred Heart then had mass every Sunday for one year, but in 1901, the Sheridan mission was attached to Sacred Heart Church and Father Stapleton had to go there every other Sunday. In 1906, Father Stapleton was reassigned to Detroit, and left his much?loved first parish to the care of Father Henry Van Dyke. Father Van Dyke found that Sacred Heart Church was well?built, clean, and tastefully outfitted and complete. He said that the grounds and the house were a fitting memorial to Father Stapleton's stewardship.

With the intent of having the church move to Main Street, Father Van Dyke purchased a house and land on East Huron Avenue, and disposed of the rectory. Although he remained here for 12 years, the dream of a church on Main Street never came to pass.

In 1918, Father William Courtney came to Sacred Heart, and served until 1925. He was able to pay up all the parish debts, and save $12,000, which he planned to use for a new church. However, Bishop Gallagher of Detroit, decided the money should be used for a new school. Father William Hermes was sent to the parish to accomplish this goal. Although the idea of a school was not popular with the parish, it was built and paid for at a cost of $40,000. The former rectory on Huron Avenue now had to be repurchased to provide housing for the sisters of St. Dominic. This assignment completed, Father Hermes was transferred to Detroit.
Father Dorsey came to Sacred Heart in 1929, at which time he started high school classes. These lasted only three years, at which time they were discontinued. A fire in 1938 caused major damage to the convent, forcing the sisters to seek other housing. Later in February, His Holiness Pope Pius XI formed the new Diocese of Saginaw. This Diocese included the 16 counties of northeastern Michigan, three of these being in the Thumb. The new and first bishop of the diocese was Monsignor William Murphy, Pastor of St. David in Detroit. He was installed on June 1, 1939. Father Dorsey, who had been suffering from ill health, was forced to resign in June 1940.

When Father Dorsey left, Father Charles A. Roark from Helena replaced him. He was installed by Father John McCollough, Dean of the Thumb Deanery, on June 14, 1940. Father Roark moved into the original rectory on Whitelam Street, while the sisters moved into the house on Huron Avenue. Father Roark's sister Esther, was his housekeeper. They both were born in the Finger Lakes district of New York State. Father Roark undertook many needed repairs to the buildings of the parish. The plans for a new church and new convent had to be a postponed because of the advent of World War II. The old church was given a complete renovation with painting, lighting, new floor covering, along with a new heating system and Altar. The church continued to expand, and it became apparent that a larger church was needed. There was some opposition to the need for a new church, but Father Roark was able to convince the majority of the parishioners that a new church was needed. The total cost of the new church was $200,000, and $125,000 was in the building fund. There was $75,000 borrowed from a bank, and within seven years, this debt was paid off.

The first mass was offered Christmas Eve, 1949. The beautiful new church was filled with reverent and hushed parishioners. A procession of 30 altar boys wearing white cassocks with red capes and sashes was formed in front of the crib. The men's choir, which had been formed by Mr. Vincent Lipinski, sang Silent Night in front of the crib. The Altar Society furnished the funds for the altar boys and the sisters decked out these young people, who were angels that night.
Special donors to the new church were the Sanctuary donated by the Estate of Tom and Mary Murray, which was represented by the Mason family. The organ was donated by Rev. George Witteman, and Mrs. Fred Witteman. The front window was donated by Mrs. Fred Cross. The Sacred Heart window was donated by His Excellency, The Most Rev. Allan J. Babock, in memory of his parents. The crucifixion window was donated by the men of the parish, in memory of the boys in the Armed Forces. The four sanctuary windows were donated by Mrs. Mary Bowman, Mrs. Peter Ney, Mr. and Mrs. John Kavanaugh, and Mr. and Mrs. Sylvester Yaroch. The chimes and angelus were donated by the Altar Society.

The men of the parish, along with the ushers and choir, cleaned out the old church. The pews were given to the Caseville Church, and a new floor was laid, together with a stage. The basketball equipment was obtained, and the floor was treated and sanded. Three hundred steel chairs were purchased, lights were installed, the heating system was revamped, and all was in readiness for it's use.

In August 1950, Msgr. McCollough, Dean of the Thumb Deanery, died. Father Roark was appointed his successor, with the title of Very Reverend Monsignor.
On New Year's Day, 1950, George F. Steinhardt, son of Dr. and Mrs. Alice (McIntyre) Steinhardt, and his first cousin J. Daniel Pepper, son of Joseph and Norma (McIntyre) Pepper, were baptized in the new church. On January 10, 1950 Leah Connors and Donald Meinhold were the first to be married in the new church.
Many changes occurred during the next few years following Vatican II. Lectors, Commentators, and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion became part of the mass, as lay people became more active. On Thanksgiving Day, 1964, the priest offered mass facing the people. On November 29, the mass was offered in English for the first time. In 1966, Msgr. Roark retired and moved into a house across the street. The senior author of this history asked him whether he had any enemies. The Monsignor said that he did at one time, but no longer had any, as he had buried them all. He remained active in parish life until he died in 1986.
Father Robert Navarre became pastor in 1966. Because of terms and principles set forth by the Constitution on Sacred Liturgy, significant remodeling was done on the interior of the church. The altar table was built of massive marble. An ambo of wrought iron was created. A blonde veneer was used to cover up the marble and to eliminate the walnut stained interior of the sanctuary.

Father Troester became Pastor in 1970. One year later, Father Noel Rudy replaced him in August of 1971. Father Raymond Oswald became Pastor of Sacred Heart in November of 1972. A new social hall was built to be an all?purpose structure for education and social events. Alvin Provot was ordained a permanent Deacon on June 8, 1975. In 1979, Father Oswald was transferred to Chesaning. Father Charles Keho replaced him.

During Father Keho's pastorate, the blonde veneer was removed, exposing the original marble. A walnut facing was installed. In 1984, daily preschool classes were begun. Also in the 80's, many new adult programs were introduced.

In July 1986, Father Keho was reassigned. He was succeeded by Olin J. Murdick. The social hall was named in memory of Father Oswald, who passed away in 1986. The Verdin Electronic Carillon system, installed in 1987, was dedicated to the memory of Monsignor Roark and all the deceased members of the parish in 1988.

The year of 1988 was a special year. It was the 100th Anniversary of Sacred Heart, the 50th Anniversary of the Diocese, and the 40th year of priesthood for Msgr. Murdick. On January 3, 1988, Sacred Heart inaugurated its Centennial Year with a Vesper Service. Many events took place during the year. A pictorial directory was published in 1987. Other events and items were the publication of a Centennial Cookbook, a pewter plate and Christmas tree ornament, the celebration of the Sacred Heart School Reunion, planting of a time capsule, and a parish picnic. A special liturgy was celebrated on the Feast of Christ the King 1988, with Bishop Kenneth S. Untener presiding. The Michigan Legislature passed a joint resolution congratulating Sacred Heart Parish on its Centennial, which was present by the Honorable Dick Allen. Bad Axe Mayor Thomas Dibble also presented a congratulatory message.

In July 1989, Father Jack Leipert became Pastor of Sacred Heart Parish. His previous assignments had been in Saginaw's inner city, Rosebush, Marlette, and then to Bad Axe. He had earned a Master's Degree in theology from St. John's University in Collegeville, Minnesota, a Master's Degree in counseling from Central Michigan University, and a Master's Degree in clinical social work with a focus on marriage and family therapy from the University of Illinois. He has published three books: Marriage Makers; Marriage Breakers (with William Rabior), The Master's Plan ? How the Church Can Keep Sane in a Crazy World, and Read the Fine Print Before You Say "I Do ". Father Jack's major interests include writing, doing parish missions, (Catholic Revival), and apologetics (explaining and defending the truth of the Catholic Faith). He sees as major challenges, getting people involved and using their gifts for others. His accomplishments include efforts to return to solid Catholic doctrine from misinterpretations of the Second Vatican Council; the implementations of the Catechism of the Catholic Church; adult and family education and a push for biblical literacy; youth outreach programs; catechetical content and evangelization.

This parish is one of the few anywhere to have a married woman in the capacity of Pastoral Associate in Jan Rapson. Together, Father Leipert and Jan have initiated married night-outs and engaged weekends, plus Mrs. Rapson's work in establishing a bereavement program and ministry to the homebound and nursing homes.
The youth of the parish make yearly pilgrimages to Steubenville, Ohio, where they experience a spiritual education and rebirth in the principles of Catholicism.
There are now 655 families in Sacred Heart Parish. As you come to Bad Axe, one of the best buys in Bad Axe is the Sacred Heart Church and it's ministries.
Scripture studies have been offered yearly, using the Little Rock Bible Series, and are well-attended. High School and adult retreats are popular. The parishioners feel that faith is a journey, not a destination.

Some of the active ministries provided throughout the year are:

We have three commissioned lay ministers during Father Jack's tenure:
Mickey and Larry Gavitt, and Dee Mixter.

As the Millennium is approached, Sacred Heart Church and parish has a
vibrant ministry led by Father Jack. The parishioners of Sacred Heart hope that
Pope John Paul's prediction of a new springtime for the faith will have begun here.

Acknowledgements
Primary source material for the present history was Father John Stapleton's "History of Sacred Heart Parish," written in 1906, and Father Henry Van Dyke's "History" written in 1907. The Centennial History of Sacred Heart, published in 1989, was invaluable. Authors responsible for this included Bernice Hearsch, Barbara Edel, Henry Weitenberner, and John Moore. The Huron County Republican of 1901 provided additional details of the early days of Sacred Heart Parish in the article "Bad Axe, Michigan, The Thumb's Best Town." Much of this history was not written from "scratch". Much of the information published here were direct quotes from the original documents or from personal conversations with parishioners and personal remembrances.

Authors:  
K.B. Herrington, M.D.
E.E. Steinhardt, M.D.
2000 A.D.