St. Vincent De Paul Catholic Church
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S5280ft
N 42° 37.934 W 083° 17.311
17T E 312353 N 4722515
On the east side of northbound Woodward Avenue, just north of Cottage Street. Plenty of parking available.
Waymark Code: WMFR0
Location: Michigan, United States
Date Posted: 06/26/2006
Views: 96
ST. VINCENT DE PAUL CATHOLIC CHURCH St. Vincent de Paul parish, established in 1851 by Bishop Peter Paul LeFevre, once included all of Oakland County and parts of Genesee, Lapeer and Macomb counties. The parish's first house of worship, the Academy Building, was first a private school and later a branch of the University of Michigan. In 1866 the church was moved from North Saginaw Street to Oakland Avenue at Lafayette. The parish grew as increasing numbers of Irish and German Catholic immigrants came to Pontiac to work in industry and farming. The Reverend Fridolin Baumgartner, pastor from 1876 to 1894, organized the fund-raising for and the construction of the present church. Nearly five thousand people celebrated as its cornerstone was laid on September 6, 1885.
SIDE TWO Detroit architects John M. Donaldson and Walter Meier designed this Victorian Gothic church. Upon its dedication on September 18, 1887, a fourteen-coach excursion train brought spectators and clergy from Detroit to Pontiac to celebrate. Bishop Casper Henry Borgess and Father Fridolin Baumgartner presided over the ceremony. A 6,600-pound bell, cast by H. Stuckstede and Company, was installed in the bell tower of the church in 1890. The St. Frederick School building, added in 1897, was replaced by the present structure in 1923. The school was staffed by the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Monroe, until it closed in 1969. The rectory was built in 1895; the parish hall in 1911.
Parking nearby?: yes
D/T ratings: 
Registered Site #: Local Site #1403
Historical Date: Not listed
Historical Name: Not listed
Description: Not listed
website: Not listed
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