St. Felix Church circa 1916
The History of St. Felix of Valois Church
The Pinnebog area in Meade Township was first settled by French-Canadian Catholics who arrived around 1859, later joined by several Irish families from Canada and a few German families. All three nationalities had a common bond: their Catholic faith.
With such a large Catholic population, it was soon clear that it could not be adequately served as a 'station', and it was decided that a church was necessary. A big-hearted Irishman, Tom Greene, offered to give a portion of his land on the bank of the Pinnebog River, at the intersection of what is now Limerick and Grassmere Roads, as a site for the new church. His offer was immediately accepted.
On March 5, 1873, Thomas and Rebecca Greene deeded four acres of their land to Bishop C.H. Borgess of Detroit. The new church was constructed quickly and was finished that summer. The French members, being of the majority, chose the name St. Felix of Valois, a popular saint in France, and because it had also at once time been the name of their parish in Quebec Province. However, 75 years later, possibly being unaware of this, the pastor of that time adopted St. Felix I, Pope and Martyr, as the patron, and a statue representing him was placed in the present church building. (This statue is now currently located in the annex of St. Roch church).
With such a large Catholic population, it was soon clear that it could not be adequately served as a 'station', and it was decided that a church was necessary. A big-hearted Irishman, Tom Greene, offered to give a portion of his land on the bank of the Pinnebog River, at the intersection of what is now Limerick and Grassmere Roads, as a site for the new church. His offer was immediately accepted.
On March 5, 1873, Thomas and Rebecca Greene deeded four acres of their land to Bishop C.H. Borgess of Detroit. The new church was constructed quickly and was finished that summer. The French members, being of the majority, chose the name St. Felix of Valois, a popular saint in France, and because it had also at once time been the name of their parish in Quebec Province. However, 75 years later, possibly being unaware of this, the pastor of that time adopted St. Felix I, Pope and Martyr, as the patron, and a statue representing him was placed in the present church building. (This statue is now currently located in the annex of St. Roch church).
St. Felix statue as it originally appeared in St. Felix church, and has since been moved to St. Roch.
The original 34x50 frame church served the congregation well for about 25 years, until they outgrew it. A committee of 3 men - James Quinn, Alexander Champagne, and Michael Cody - travelled by train to Detroit to consult with Bishop Foley concerning the necessity of building a larger church, discussing financial responsibility, and the possibility of having a resident pastor.
Bishop Foley established St. Felix as a parish on July 23, 1899, and appointed the young Fr. Francis Hewlett its first resident pastor. He was also given charge of the St. Roch mission in Caseville, which had been a mission of Port Austin up until then. The entire Catholic community rejoiced at the forming of the new St. Felix of Valois Parish.
The priest's residence was planned and constructed first. Work began on the rectory in August 1899. It was built of red brick at a cost of $1,700.00. It still stands today next to St. Felix church, and is now a private residence.
Bishop Foley established St. Felix as a parish on July 23, 1899, and appointed the young Fr. Francis Hewlett its first resident pastor. He was also given charge of the St. Roch mission in Caseville, which had been a mission of Port Austin up until then. The entire Catholic community rejoiced at the forming of the new St. Felix of Valois Parish.
The priest's residence was planned and constructed first. Work began on the rectory in August 1899. It was built of red brick at a cost of $1,700.00. It still stands today next to St. Felix church, and is now a private residence.
By October 1900, plans were completed for the new church building. However, the old frame church had to be removed before construction could begin, so it was moved across the road where it was then converted into a general store in 1902, and was used as such for a few years. In 1911, the parish bought back the building. It was enlarged and remodeled, and used as the parish hall for many years until it was recently sold and is now a private residence.
The original church building, later used for many years at the parish hall, as it appeared in years past.
Ground was broken in the spring of 1901 and construction of the new church began. Many men of the parish hauled stones for the foundation from nearby fields. Others cut down and hewed timber for the beams from the surrounding woods, lumber for the frame was cut at a nearby sawmill. Everyone worked together to bring all the materials necessary that were needed to construct the church. Although the church was not yet completed, the congregation flocked there to celebrate the first Mass with joy and thanksgiving on Christmas Day, 1901.
Work continued on the completion, and the pipe organ was installed. Reproductions of famous paintings were painted onto the ceiling - "The Assumption", "The Baptism of Christ", "The Child Jesus in the Temple", and "The Good Shepherd". Regrettably, all of these paintings were covered when the interior was redecorated in the late 1960s.
On May 8, 1902, St. Felix of Valois church was dedicated by Bishop John S. Foley.
During the pastorate of Fr. Zylla, 1938-1942, the stone wall and pillars were built, the terrace filled in, and the landscaping was done.
The "Our Lady of Fatima Grotto" was added during the pastorate of Father Camill F. Klos (1947-1951).
Work continued on the completion, and the pipe organ was installed. Reproductions of famous paintings were painted onto the ceiling - "The Assumption", "The Baptism of Christ", "The Child Jesus in the Temple", and "The Good Shepherd". Regrettably, all of these paintings were covered when the interior was redecorated in the late 1960s.
On May 8, 1902, St. Felix of Valois church was dedicated by Bishop John S. Foley.
During the pastorate of Fr. Zylla, 1938-1942, the stone wall and pillars were built, the terrace filled in, and the landscaping was done.
The "Our Lady of Fatima Grotto" was added during the pastorate of Father Camill F. Klos (1947-1951).
Over the years, there have been various renovations and additions made to the rectory, along with complete renovation of the church in the years of Fr. Joseph Miller - adding new furnishings to the sanctuary, new doors at the main entrance, new carpeting, a new baptismal font, and a new electric pipe organ that was installed in 1967.
The organ has 474 pipes, 3 rows are exposed, and the others are contained within the swell box and behind the louvers. In recent years, the organ has been moved to St. Roch church for maintenance and weekly use.
The organ has 474 pipes, 3 rows are exposed, and the others are contained within the swell box and behind the louvers. In recent years, the organ has been moved to St. Roch church for maintenance and weekly use.
The organ as it appeared in St. Felix Church, before being moved to St. Roch.
After the merge of St. Felix with St. Roch and St. Francis in 2013, St. Felix church was designated as a 'site for occasional use'. It was used for weddings, funerals, and special occasions.
Sadly, the passage of time and lack of regular use has caused the church building to show signs of its age. The building is now filled with mold and dampness, and has multiple areas that are falling apart, so it has become increasingly unsafe for gatherings or services. As a result, the church has not been in use at all since 2024.
Sadly, the passage of time and lack of regular use has caused the church building to show signs of its age. The building is now filled with mold and dampness, and has multiple areas that are falling apart, so it has become increasingly unsafe for gatherings or services. As a result, the church has not been in use at all since 2024.
Priests who have served St. Felix of Valois Church:
Fr. Francis W. Hewlett 1899-1911
Fr. Francis D. Hill 1911-1914
Fr. William Courtney 1914-1918
Fr. Joseph Arts 1918-1919
Fr. C.P Stanton 1919-1926
Fr. Michael J. Martin 1926-1928
Fr. Carl E. Einig April to August 1928
Fr. Francis X. O'Donnell August 1928-1934
Fr. Malachy Walker 1934-1938
Fr. August R. Zylla 1938-1942
Fr. J.L. Culligan 1942-1943
Fr. Alphonse A. Kromka 1943-1947
Fr. Camill F. Klos 1947-1951
Fr. Robert G. Navarre 1951-1956
Fr. Sigmund J. Haremski 1956-1960
Fr. Edward J. Szturmowski June to September 1960
Fr. Joseph A. Schabel 1960-1965
Fr. Virgil Gradowski 1965-1966
Fr. Joseph K. Miller 1966-1970
In 1970, St. Felix and St. Edward (Kinde) became co-parishes. Kinde pastor Fr. Dale LaBrie served both parishes until 1971, followed by Fr. Donald Deweke from 1971-1973, and Fr. S.A. Bur, from 1973-1974.
In 1974, St. Felix became a co-parish with St. Roch in Caseville. Fr. Michael Wolf was pastor of both St. Roch and St. Felix from 1974-1976, until be became pastor of St. Francis Borgia parish in Pigeon.
For a list of priests who served after 1976, please refer to the St. Roch history page
and list of priests who have served at St. Roch Church.
Fr. Francis D. Hill 1911-1914
Fr. William Courtney 1914-1918
Fr. Joseph Arts 1918-1919
Fr. C.P Stanton 1919-1926
Fr. Michael J. Martin 1926-1928
Fr. Carl E. Einig April to August 1928
Fr. Francis X. O'Donnell August 1928-1934
Fr. Malachy Walker 1934-1938
Fr. August R. Zylla 1938-1942
Fr. J.L. Culligan 1942-1943
Fr. Alphonse A. Kromka 1943-1947
Fr. Camill F. Klos 1947-1951
Fr. Robert G. Navarre 1951-1956
Fr. Sigmund J. Haremski 1956-1960
Fr. Edward J. Szturmowski June to September 1960
Fr. Joseph A. Schabel 1960-1965
Fr. Virgil Gradowski 1965-1966
Fr. Joseph K. Miller 1966-1970
In 1970, St. Felix and St. Edward (Kinde) became co-parishes. Kinde pastor Fr. Dale LaBrie served both parishes until 1971, followed by Fr. Donald Deweke from 1971-1973, and Fr. S.A. Bur, from 1973-1974.
In 1974, St. Felix became a co-parish with St. Roch in Caseville. Fr. Michael Wolf was pastor of both St. Roch and St. Felix from 1974-1976, until be became pastor of St. Francis Borgia parish in Pigeon.
For a list of priests who served after 1976, please refer to the St. Roch history page
and list of priests who have served at St. Roch Church.