Parish History
The parish traces its founding to 1848 when six German Catholic families began building a small frame chapel at what is now the southeast corner of Baumhoff Avenue and Five Mile Road.
In September 1852, Fr Julian Maciejewski became the first priest assigned to the chapel and spurred its completion. A year later, on Oct. 17, 1853, the chapel was blessed by Detroit Bishop Peter Paul Lefevere. With the original site too small for expansion, the growing congregation accepted the donation of four acres on Alpine Church Road in 1870. A single-classroom school was built. In 1883, a new church was built on a new and larger church west of the school.
In 1901, more than 50 years after the first church, a rectory was built. Fr. Francis Berhorst became the first residence pastor. A new school and convent was built and Dominican Sisters arrived to administer and teach. The last German speaking pastor was Fr. Charles Bolte. He was installed July 1, 1923, and pastored until he retired in 1964. His 40 years saw much progress: electricity in 1925, a two-story brick school /parish hall in 1934, the third church in 1957. Many members still remember Fr. Bolte, who became a monsignor while serving at Holy Trinity. His body rests in Holy Trinity Cemetery.
1960s
On Palm Sunday 1965, a tornado devastated Alpine Township. Many homes and parish buildings were severely damaged or destroyed. Only the church basement and the new convent were salvageable. Fortunately, no lives were lost.
The current school was built above the church basement . The current church with adjoining rectory was blessed on May 5, 1968. The church’s striking midcentury-modern architecture evokes a tent—a tabernacle—for the Lord and a place of gathering. With the development of the Westgate subdivision and other new housing in the 1970s the parish burgeoned into the 1990s . Enrollment swelled in the parish religious education program and school during this time.
The 1990s
The leadership of Fr. John Wisniewski (1987-97) shaped much of the campus as you see it today. The Family Center was dedicated in 1993. Funds were raised for an expanded Narthex. It was dedicated by Fr. Daniel DePew (1997-2009) in 1998 during the parish’s Sesquicentennial. Another lasting prize from that anniversary is the book, “Holy Trinity Church: 150 Years – 1848-1998,” by Donna O’Connor.
The 2000s
Fr. DePew is credited with renewing the custom of blessing parish farms each spring. The church received major repairs during the pastorate of Fr. Thomas Simons (2007-20). Leaks over the altar prompted the design and construction of a new steeple in 2015. It glows as a lantern above the countryside lifting hearts to God. A few years later, the church interior was brightened by oak pews and carpeting. Long-needed central air conditioning was installed.
2020s
The parish is still recovering from the 2020 Coronavirus Pandemic. In-person Masses were prohibited from early Lent through Pentecost, and facemasks were required when liturgies resumed. Mid-pandemic, Fr. Chris Rouech became the 13th pastor upon the retirement of Fr. Simons in October 2020.
The parish counts among its staunchest members descendants of the first families, along with many others who find this a wonderful area to raise a family. Trusting in the providence of the Holy Trinity, together we cultivate faith and share its fruits in the age to come.
Our Lady of Fatima Shrine
The Fatima Shrine at Holy Trinity Church
Andrew T. Flowers, a Holy Trinity parishioner and a World War II veteran, was in poor health after his discharge from the military. He made a promise to the Blessed Mother that he would build a shrine to her if his health improved. Mary’s motherly care came to his aid, the shrine was built, and has served as a visible testament of faith and gratitude to Our Lady of Fatima.
Beginning in August 1952, Andy Flowers scoured the fields surrounding his home for the stones to use in building a grotto which he constructed by himself. Built high on the hillside overlooking the intersection of Alpine Church Road and Alpine Avenue, the grotto enshrined a white stone statue of Our Lady of Fatima. Neighbors donated shrubbery and money to buy the additional figures of the three shepherd children and sheep. Msgr. Charles Bolte was the pastor of Holy Trinity at the time the shrine was built.
The shrine welcomed many local visitors as well as persons from 22 states, Canada, and Mexico, as found in the guestbook. In 1990 the entire shrine was moved from Andy Flowers’ home to the northeast side of Holy Trinity Church, facing the intersection of Alpine Church Road and Cordes Street. Fr. John Wisneski was the pastor at the time. It remained there until 2004, when it was relocated to an area in what was the former driveway between the school and church. It became a quiet and peaceful setting for people to sit and pray. Fr. Dan DePew was the pastor when the shrine was moved to its present location. Parishioner Bob Brechting, who was instrumental in helping to relocate the shrine from Alpine Avenue to the parish site and who died in December 2009 left a generous bequest in his will for the refurbishment of the shrine. On Saturday, August 13, 2011, the shrine was rededicated at its third location, a year before the 60th anniversary of the shrine. The statues were restored, new lighting installed inside the grotto, and new shrubbery and flowers were added along with 2 stone benches where people can pray and meditate. A memorial stone placed in front of the grotto reads: “In remembrance and gratitude to Andy Flowers who built this grotto in 1952 as a visible testament of faith and who donated it to Holy Trinity Church and to Bob Brechting who helped relocate this shrine to the parish grounds in 1990. This shrine was restored and re-dedicated in 2011.” Fr. Tom Simons, pastor, led the rededication blessing following the 5:00 pm Mass on August 13, the day of the 4th apparition at Fatima in 1917.
In 1950 the Fatima Nine-Day Home Novena began at Holy Trinity Parish. With the encouragement of Msgr. Charles Bolte, a statue of Our Lady of Fatima was purchased by Earl and Elizabeth McDonald and arrived from Portugal on September 5, 1950. Beginning on September 6, 1950, the pilgrim statue traveled from home to home in the parish and has continuously done so ever since. The novena consists of praying the rosary daily with the accompanying prayers to Our Lady of Fatima. In 1975 on the 25th anniversary of the Fatima parish novena, a celebration in church for nine days took place with parishioners, led by Msgr. Edward Jaworowicz. On the 35th anniversary in 1985, Our Lady’s statue was brought into the church for one day, praying the rosary and Fatima prayers, led by Fr. John Najdowski. The 40th anniversary was celebrated at the outdoor shrine, with rosary and prayers led by Fr. John Wisneski.
On Wednesday, May 10, 2017, Bishop David Walkowiak will celebrate the School Mass, followed by the May crowning at the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima. 2017 is the 100th anniversary of the apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima. Pope Francis will visit the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima in Portugal from May 12-13, where he will celebrate Mass and canonize two of the children, Jacinta and Francisco Marto, who were beatified by Pope John Paul II in 2000. The third child, Lucia dos Santos, was declared a Servant of God and is in the process for beatification. She was a Carmelite nun and died in 2005 at 97 years of age.