St. Francis of Assisi Roman Catholic Church Profile 1985
St. Francis Detroit
Address:
4500 Wesson, Detroit, MI 48210
Phone:
 897-7229    
Current Parish Status:
 Active
School in Operation:
 Yes (in 1985) Sisters of St. Joseph
Year Parish Founded:
 1888
Year Present Church was Built:
 1902
First Pastor:
 Rev. Fr. Romuald Byzewski
Pastor in 1985:
 Rev. Fr. Dennis Nowinski
Mass Schedule:
Saturday 5:00pm (English); Sunday 8:30am (English), 10:30am (English), 12:15pm (English)
No. of Families in Parish:
 700
Percentage of Polish Descent:
 75%
Considered as a Polish Ethnic Parish:
 Yes
Polish Religious Traditions Preserved:
 Yes
Annual Festival:
 First weekend of November
Festival Name:
 St. Francis Festival
  • St. Francis of Assisi Church is the only Polish Roman Catholic Church in the metro Detroit area that is consecrated.
  • On Easter Sunday, 1890, the first Mass was celebrated in the new church. It was a simple two story edifice with the church occupying the second floor (seating 700 people) and the school on the first floor (300 pupils).
  • The present church was opened in June of 1905 and has a seating capacity of 1,700.
  • At one time, the parish had 2,000 families registered.
  • Currently (2003), the parish has about 350 families registered.
  • The Souvenir book of the Golden Jubilee of St. Francis Parish, 1890-1940 has been cataloged and is searchable on the PGSA web site.
  • This parish is alive and well! For more information on the history, current Mass schedule, and ongoing activities, visit the web site www.stfrancisdetroit.org.
  • The following microfilms of St. Francis church records are available at the Burton Historical Collection of the Detroit Public Library: Film No.1042 (Reel no. followed by description)
    • 1 Baptisms April 1891-June 1911
    • 2 Baptisms June 1910-March 1918
    • 3 Baptisms March 1918-February 1931
      Marriages January 1916-October 1938
      Deaths January 1920-May 1950
    • 4 Marriages May 1891-1916
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