The 100th year of St. Paul Catholic Church is celebrated

Bishop Patrick Cooney from the Catholic Diocese of Gaylord led parishioners of St. Paul Catholic Church through a solemn mass of thanksgiving on Father?s Day as the church celebrated its Centennial.

It was almost 100 years to the day that Fr. Thomas Albin came from St. Bernard Church in Alpena to serve as the first resident pastor at St. Paul.

During Cooney?s sermon, he commended the people of the church for their ?faith and dedication,? and said the future of the church would be left in the hands of its parishioners, and the generations to come.

Sunday?s service featured several guests, including former St. Paul priest Fr. Mason Vaughn. St. Paul was Vaughn?s first pastorate in the late 1950s. He served from 1957 to 1960. Many greeted Vaughn with warm smiles and handshakes, with some asking him if he remembered them.

Other guests included Sister Rita Epple from St. Dominic of Metz and Sister Patricia Malone, who grew up in Onaway before entering the convent. Fr. Donald Hewdens, along with Deacon Hal Goodhue and his wife Donna also were in attendance.

Members of the Knights of Columbus of Onaway led Bishop Cooney and resident pastor Fr. Thomas Dominiak to the altar. The church pews were filled to near capacity with church families, former parishioners, visitors and their families.

THE CONGREGATION sang, ?Christ has Died Alleluia,? ?Holy, Holy,? and ?Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee.?

Cooney said he was impressed with the singing and worship, and made a light-hearted comment that he actually thought every single person in the church was singing.

After the service, a meal catered by Manzana?s Deli

awaited. There were several artifacts from the church on display at the hall, along with old photos, scrapbooks, and news clippings. A special historical quilt, with old photos of the buildings knitted on it, hung from the ceiling.

Historical booklets were updated and available in the lobby, along with a keepsake ornament with a picture of the current church building on it.

Also on display was a large picture board with a painted picture of the 1901 church building, the 1911 school building, and the current church building, which was constructed in the late 1940s but not completed until 1952.

As the church marches forward into its next 100 years, Cooney encouraged the congregation to continue the mission that was started before Albin arrived in Onaway, and before the first church building was constructed in 1901.