Groundbreaking – May 1958

In May 1958, groundbreaking for our new church took place with a target date of Christmas for completion. While laying the foundations, quick sand was discovered adding to the cost for extra tons of sand and brickbats needed. Fr. Heary, our first pastor demanded that the church be ready for midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. Construction was still going full force the week before Christmas while parishioners were busy picking up 400 new chairs at a depot in Detroit. Pipefitters worked 48 hours straight to get heat from the furnace for Christmas Eve. Christmas eve day was a bedlam of activity, concrete dust and building materials had to be removed, the church cleaned and chairs set up. A temporary altar was set up and a few Christmas trees added. Ladies of the Rosary Altar Society led by Katherine Springer decorated the altar. By 8:00 P.M. on Christmas Eve 1958 everything was in order for our first Mass in our church. A choir (acapella) was formed. Mass began at midnight with four hundred tired but happy parishioners. Mass was concelebrated by Fr. Heary, and associate priests Frs. Dwyer and Maguire. It was one of the most appreciated Masses held at our parish. St. Vincent Ferrer had its own church.

St. Vincent Ferrer – Our Patron Saint

“Whatever you do, think not of yourself but of God” – St. Vincent Ferrer

Our parish is named after Saint Vincent Ferrer (1350 – 1419) a simple and humble man who became a Dominican priest.  He was celebrated as a preacher, evangelist, healer, and miracle worker.  Known as the “Angel of the Judgement” Vincent traveled tirelessly throughout Europe preaching repentance and conversion.  Not since the Apostles had any man worked so many wonders that were witnessed and documented within his time.

Fr. Andrew Pradel, O.P. author of St. Vincent Ferrer the Angel of the Judgement wrote that Saint Vincent’s first miracle occurred while still in his mother’s womb.  Saint Vincent Ferrer’s mother asked a blind woman to pray for her unborn child.  As the blind woman bent her head to the mother’s belly the woman’s sight returned.  No longer blind the woman shouted “Madam it is an angel you have and it is he who has cured me of my affliction.”  This was the first of many miracles attributed to Saint Vincent Ferrer.