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| Welcome to
"Saint Michael's Church"... |
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History of saint michael's church - Bradford, Indiana |
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Saint Michael's Church was founded in 1835 and was first
located on Road 135. Fr. Joseph Ferneding had the First Mass in the original church September 1855, a
new frame church was built in the town of Bradford. Fr. Kintrup was the
first residing Pastor of St. Michael's and served the Parish 1869 unti l 1871.
Fr. F.X. Seegmuler, the second residing Pastor, took charge June 12, 1879 and
prepared to build a new church. In November 1881, a brick church was built and
dedicated. Fr. Seegmuler left in 1886. The residing Pastor, Fr. Andrew
Schaaf, came in July 1889. Under his supervision St. Michael's School was built
in 1890. St. Michael's first rectory was built in 1892.
Fr. Schaaf left in 1895, and Fr. Joseph Senefeld took charge as the fourth
residing Pastor on August 3, 1895. That year, a pipe organ was purchased. the
year 1900, ninety-two families were reported in St. Michael's Parish.
Fr. Stephen J. Donahue served the needs of St. Michael's until his death 1908.
Fr. M.G. Halpin was appointed Pastor and served from 1909 until I913. In the
fall of 1914, Fr. John B. Gorman was appointed Pastor of St. Michael's.
On December 28, 1922, the church was destroyed by fire. Services conducted in
St. Michael's School while a new brick church was being built. cornerstone was
laid on June 28, 1923, and the first service was held in the church in November
of that year.
In 1935, a new two-room school was built and was soon remodeled into classrooms
and an indoor restroom. A full basement served as a Parish Halls 1971, after 81
years, St. Michael's School was closed.
Fr. Gorman died in 1939, and Fr. John Rodutsky became Pastor in July
that year. In July 1946, Fr. Rodutsky resigned as Pastor to enter the Trappist
Monastery in Gethsemane, Ky.
Fr. Bernard Thompson was appointed Pastor in July 1947 and, in April 1960, died
in an automobile accident.
Fr. David Senefeld was appointed Pastor in 1964. He built a new brick rectory
and served as Pastor until July 1971.
Others who served at St. Michael's were Rev. Bernard Gordon, Rev. Richard A.
Mode, and Msgr. James Jansen.
On July 5, 1973, Fr. Albert Diezeman was appointed Pastor. A new Parish Hall was
built in 1974 to be used also as a Religious Education Center. The decision to
build a new church was made in 1982. Fr. Diezeman, however, was unable to
complete plan the church due to his illness. He passed away on June 29, 1984.
Fr. Fred Denison was appointed Administrator in 1983 and served in that capacity
for one year. During that time, plans continued for the new church and the fund
raising efforts began.
In July 1984, Fr. William Pappano was appointed Pastor of St. Michael's Parish.
Fr. Bill, together with the Building Commission quickly finalized the plans for
the new church and construction began. The new church was formally dedicated on
December 8, 1985.
Fr. Pappano died on East Sunday, April 19, 1987. He was succeeded by Fr. Bernard
Koopman, who began his assignment as on July 8, 1987.
In December 1993, Darlene Cole was commissioned by the Archdiocese of
Indianapolis as Pastoral Associate Administrator. The debt on the church was
retired in February 1995.
In 1990, we developed a plan in which the area in front of the rectory would be
used to create a memorial area to recognize priests who had served at St.
Michael Parish and for all parishioners who had lived here. It would also be a
walkway and entrance the cemetery.
In March of 1990, we commissioned an artist to sculpt a Risen Christ statue.
 The
statue was sculpted from limestone erected, and the area was then landscaped.
The New Life Memorial was dedicated October 6, 1991.
In the fall of 1995, plans and construction of a Bell Tower began. The bell out
of our previous church was refurbished Hartlage constructed the tower. It was
dedicated in memory of life-long members Edward & Marie Gettelfinger. The bell
rung on Easter of 1996.
In July of 1996, St. Michael Parish committed to serving the larger church and
the poor by financially supporting the Franciscan Missionaries work in Honduras.
We send a monthly stipend throughout the year and continue to do so still today.
Fr. Bernie Koopman died on February 26, 1997.
Retired Archabbot Bonaventure Knaebel, O.S.B., from St. Archabbey, was appointed
Administrator of St. Michael's.
In August of 2001, St. Michael's Little Angels Pre School opened under the
direction of Beth Gettelfinger with 51 students. Rev. Bonaventure Knaebel continued to pastor us until his retirement in July
2003.
Fr. John L. Fink was named Pastor in 2003. Under his leadership, we are in the
preliminary and researching stages of the possibility of building a Parish Life
Center, which would house a gymnasium, additional classrooms, and parish
offices. |
| The Church's e-bulletin |
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 The
E-Bulletin is the weekly newsletter of Saint Michael's
Church. It features articles on issues important
to you as well as on events and issues affecting the community
of Bradford, Indiana.
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| Everyone wants to know. Click here for more information. |
| Where We Are Located |
Thank
you for taking the time to check us out. Please
contact the rectory if you are interested in setting up an
appointment to speak to the priest about becoming a
member. You've made a great choice.
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