Romulus aids in collapse of Wayne church tower
Good neighbors appeared on the scene to help when the iconic steeple at St. Mary Church in Wayne toppled last week. According to officials, no one was injured when the structure collapsed. The cause of the incident remains under investigation by church officials.
The City of Romulus Fire Department ladder was used to allow the structural engineer access to assess the damage and attempt to determine a cause and necessary repairs from above the damage. Officials said the church building was not occupied at the time and no injuries were reported.
According to the church website, St. Mary is the oldest Catholic parish in Western Wayne County, founded in 1862. The parish evolved from an 1862 mission, St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception. Construction of the church building began in 1865 and the building was dedicated in 1873. St. Mary continued as a mission until July 1912 when it was appointed as a full parish.
The present building was constructed in 1923 funded by a series of fundraisers led by Fr. Joseph Connors, the first resident pastor. The older frame church became the first parish school with an enrollment of 125 students in 1924.
Following years of growth including the addition of a high school, with a first graduation class in 1951. Declining enrollment, however, reduced school classes to only elementary students in 1971. After multiple renovations, the church was rededicated in 1981 and the parish celebrated the 125th anniversary in 1987 and a sesquicentennial in 1962. School classes were eliminated at the facility in 2018.
The City of Romulus Fire Department ladder was used to allow the structural engineer access to assess the damage and attempt to determine a cause and necessary repairs from above the damage. Officials said the church building was not occupied at the time and no injuries were reported.
According to the church website, St. Mary is the oldest Catholic parish in Western Wayne County, founded in 1862. The parish evolved from an 1862 mission, St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception. Construction of the church building began in 1865 and the building was dedicated in 1873. St. Mary continued as a mission until July 1912 when it was appointed as a full parish.
The present building was constructed in 1923 funded by a series of fundraisers led by Fr. Joseph Connors, the first resident pastor. The older frame church became the first parish school with an enrollment of 125 students in 1924.
Following years of growth including the addition of a high school, with a first graduation class in 1951. Declining enrollment, however, reduced school classes to only elementary students in 1971. After multiple renovations, the church was rededicated in 1981 and the parish celebrated the 125th anniversary in 1987 and a sesquicentennial in 1962. School classes were eliminated at the facility in 2018.
