We Are Our Mother of Perpetual Help Parish

Do you know where

the beautiful stained glass windows

in Our Lady of Fatima Church are from?

All of the windows came from St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Detroit.  St. Thomas the Apostle Parish (located on Townsend) was a Polish-American Roman Catholic parish founded in 1914, at the eastern edge of the east side Polish neighborhoods of Detroit.  A church was constructed in 1923, and the parish had both a grade school and a high school. The parish was one of the first to experience changes in population, as the original Polish residents began moving out in the mid-20th century. The parish, which was listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was closed in 1989.

After the parish was closed, and wishing to keep the history of the St. Thomas the Apostle alive, Fr. Paul was able to obtain some of the windows.  He drafted many into service to find a way to use the windows at Fatima.  Many of our parishioners worked diligently to repair and then create the light boxes to place the windows into.  With love and commitment they dedicated themselves and their talents to seeing this project to completion.  Among the many who worked on the windows were Jim Podzikowski and Aaron Chateau as well as the following men who have passed away:  Frank Czarnecki, Michael Palcyznski, Art Lowry, Joe Rappazini, and Frank Gosztyla.

After the closing of St. Dennis in Royal Oak, Fr. Paul was able to obtain four more windows originally from St. Thomas the Apostle.  The windows represent the Four Evangelists.  Thanks to Aaron Chateau, John Armstrong and others for their hard work on the newest additions to our worship space.

Sadly, St. Thomas the Apostle Church was demolished shortly after it closed and many of the men who worked on these beautiful windows are now of Beloved Memory.  However, St. Thomas the Apostle Church and these men live on in these windows and in our hearts.  They are a rich part of the history of the Church in Detroit, our history and truly help to beautify and enhance the worship environment at Fatima Church.

Next time you are at Mass at Fatima perhaps you might want to arrive a little early or stay for a bit after Mass and take a look at the windows.  You might be surprised at what you see in them.