St. Thomas the Apostle Church at 3252 Apple Ave., Muskegon, MI 49442 US - 1948 - 1979

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St. Thomas the Apostle Parish  est. 1948

Mr. & Mrs Joseph Smith	When Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Smith were approached by Msgr. Hyland in the name of Bishop Haas, to donate some land for a Church in this part of Muskegon County, they asked that the Church be named St. Thomas.  Their son Thomas had been killed as he got off the bus in front of their house coming home from St. Mary’s School.  Thus St. Thomas the Apostle became the titular name of the new Church.  2 ½ acres on the corner of Apple & Dangl were donated in memory of their son.
1948: Father Rudolf Hornberger OFM and Father Clementin Grosskopf OFM were appointed to start a new Parish in      East Muskegon. Nov 7:  First Mass was held at the Egelston Town Hall at 8:20 a.m. with about 100 people in attendance.  The 11:00 Mass at the rectory was attended by about 75. Nov. 21:  First Baptism:  Thomas Calkins by Fr. Rudy Nov. 22:  The Altar Society was established and the first meeting was held. November:   First Choir established under the direction of Mrs. Ray Jasicki Sr. and Fr. Clem   Fr. Rudy and Fr. Clem 1949

Jan 7:	First Wedding: Wm. R. Fitzsimmons & Ruth Lindefield
Jan 16:	First Sick Call
Jan 19:	First Youth Group about 25 attended
Feb 6:	Plans were made for building the Church/Hall
Feb 12:	Three High School Students received their First Holy Communion: Patricia Belgardt, Frank Wal, & Josephine Halleah
Apr 17:	Easter Masses: 9:00 a.m at Grange Hall & 11:00 a.m at Egeleston Hall.
May 8:	28 Children received their First Holy Communion.
Aug 19:	First Funerals: Dr. C. Derezinski & Wm. Dutcher
Nov 27:	Ground broke and cornerstone laid for new Church/Hall combination designed by Harry L. Meade and Chas. M. Norton of Grand Rapids and built by Acme Builders of Muskegon Heights.

Interior of First Church

1950  May 13: First Mass celebrated in our New Church   1951 Jan 7: First Christmas Party   1953 The rest of Joseph Smith’s property was purchased. Entire Church property consists of 25 acres.

Fr. Robert Dentzman, OFM

1954 February 2:    First Evening Mass is held - First Friday 1955 Fr. Robert Dentzman OFM Teacher at Muskegon Catholic makes residence at St. Thomas.   1957 Fr. Robert Dentzman OFM was assigned to Chicago Parish after teaching Math at Catholic Central for two years and making his home at St. Thomas.

July 9, 1961     Cornerstone laid for Current Church 1962 April  15:   Palm Sunday, First Mass celebrated in our New Church. Nov 11: Dedication of Church 1965   First visit of Bishop Babcock to our new Church and Rectory on the occasion of Confirmation.
	1956:  Fr. Rudy's 25th Jubilee

Interior of Current Church	1966 Fr.Vincent Fochtman OFM, PHD, LLD comes to live in residence at St. Thomas.   1967 Sanctuary renovated, putting Altar facing congregation. August:  Because of Ill health,      Fr. Clem was transferred to Joliet, IL.  Fr. Donatus Grunloh OFM arrives to take his place.	Fr.Vincent Fochtman OFM, PHD, LLD

1970 Fr. Don is appointed Pastor, Fr. Rudy stays on as Associate Pastor
Fr. Rudy, Fr. Clem, and Fr. Don
1971 Dangl School purchased to be used as CCD center. Joined the other Parishes in Muskegon to make a consolidated Catholic Elementary School system
1972
CCD Building brought up to code and started classes in September.
Fr. Rudy left for assignment as Chaplain at County Home in Oak Forest, IL.
Fr. Conan Mitchell, OFM was sent as Fr. Rudy's replacement.
1974
St. Thomas celebrates it’s Silver Anniversary, Hall is named - Founder’s Hall - In Honor of Fr. Rudy  and Fr. Clem. Formal celebration consists of Solemn Mass. Fr. Rudy is principal celebrant with Fr. Don, Fr. Clem, Fr. Conan and Fr. Vincent assisting.
June 23:     Fr. Don celebrates his Silver Jubilee
1975
Feb 2	Fr. Rudy age 69 dies at St. Francis Hospital in Blue Island, IL where he served as Chaplain. He is buried in Portiuncula Cemetery, Oak Brooke, IL
	New Lights were installed in the Church and the former Choir Room was renovated into a Mothers Room.
	Fr. Vincent Fochtman moves to Petoskey to be near his physician.
Dec. 5 - 11	Parish Mission conducted by Fr. Ambrose DeGroote OFM, Cap. and Fr. Caspar Stollenwerk OFM, Cap.
	1977
	Fr. Clem celebrates his Golden Jubilee
	1978
	Fr. Vincent Fochtman age 83 dies. He is buried in St. Francis Cemetery in Petoskey, MI
	Addition to Founder’s Hall - Restrooms and Storage
	Instituted Lay Ministers for distribution of Holy Communion.
	Installed Large Crucifix on outside of Church Fr. Clem and Fr. Conan in Gratitude to Fr. Clem

: Fr. Vincent 1894 - 1978 1978: Fr. Don, Bishop Britenbeck, 1979: July 11: Beloved Fr. Clem age 80, dies at Mercy Hospital. He is buried at St. Mary’s Cemetery.