History of St. Cyril

Fr. Louis Baroux in the year 1847 started years of devoted service to the scattered Catholic population of southwestern Michigan, including the settlement of Grand Junction. The territory at the time was part of the Diocese of Michigan and the Northwest later to be known as the Diocese of Detroit.

In the year 1886 the first Mass was celebrated at what was then known as St. Caspar’s Mission Church. The building was donated to the Mission by the late Frank Rozinska Sr.. At that time, St. Caspar’s, now St. Cyril’s was compromised of six families. Monsignor Francis O’Brien who came to Kalamazoo on December 14, 1883, was often celebrant at the Mission which was then attached to St. Augustine’s, Kalamazoo.

In 1887 St. Cyril’s was transferred as a Mission to the parish of St. Mary, Paw Paw. The Rev. Father O’Rourke served as pastor. It was during the assignment to Paw Paw that a 12 foot addition was built on the east end of the church as well as a 10x12 foot sacristy.

In 1896 a one acre plot of land for a cemetery was purchased from Dewey Rogers by Mr. And Mrs. Jacob Bean and donated by them to St. Cyril’s to be known as St. Francis Xavier Cemetery.

When in 1931 the Most Reverend Michael Gallagher recognized Sacred Heart Mission of Bangor as a parish, and when on February 1, 1932 Fr. Michael Sajnaj arrived as its first resident pastor, the Missions of St. Cyril and Holy Family, Decatur were assigned to his charge.

It was during the pastorship of Fr. Korzeniecki (1932-1952) that the last 25 foot addition was built onto St. Cyril’s and the sacristy was moved. The seating capacity thus had been increased to 159.

With the formation of the Lansing Diocese and the instillation of Bishop Joseph Albers on August 4, 1937, St. Cyril’s became a member of the new Diocese.

In 1956 Bishop Albers gave St. Cyril’s permission to purchase five acres of land on the east limits of the Village of Grand Junction.

In 1977 following years of discussion a meeting was held in July to plan the building of a new facility on the purchased five acres. In 1979 the land was cleared and the new building completed in late summer. The new church was dedicated and consecrated by the Most Rev. Paul V. Donovan, Bishop of Kalamazoo on August 21.

In 1980 Bishop Donovan deeded St. Cyril’s original property and church to the First Congregational Church of Grand Junction. The church was subsequently torn down.

For many years St. Cyril’s Mission has only been open in the summer for services to accommodate Catholic families living in the Grand Junction area as well summer visitors.