St. Mary's Church

In 1850 a Catholic Parish was established in St. Clair by Bishop Peter Paul Lefevere, who appointed Father Lawrence Kilroy as the first resident pastor. The parish completed a modest church at the intersection of Fifth and Pine in 1853. In 1864-65, under the leadership of Father Francis VanderBom, the present brick church was completed at a cost of thirteen thousand dollars. Bricks for the church were hand formed and hauled to the site by church women. The present transept was added in 1921 during the pastorate of Father Edward J. Kromenaker (1917-1959).

[Back]: This picturesque red brick, Queen Anne-style structure was erected as a residence and office for St. Mary’s parish priests in 1886, during the pastorate of Father C. M. B. Schenkelberg. The rectory archives contain the complete sacramental records of all of the early Catholic missionaries in the area, including those of Father Frederic Baraga. The rectory complex has been enlarged over the years with the addition of a garage in 1926, housekeeping quarters in 1953, and office space in 1959.