Image of St. Francis Borgia Church and Rectory, date unknown - 1950s/60s?
The History of St. Francis Borgia Church
The year 2001 marked the 75th anniversary of the current church building of St. Francis Borgia Church in Pigeon, Michigan. This is the second church building for the church/parish. The history of the parish started way back on June 21, 1879 when Father T.B. Krebs was appointed by Bishop Casper H. Borgess as the missionary for the thumb area. Using Gagetown as his home base, Father Krebs made his way by horse and buggy to the villages of Bay Port, Caseville, Elkton, and Pigeon. Services were originally held at the home of Mrs. Bernhardt Maier, later known as the Albert Buerker home, located at 41 S. Caseville Rd.
In 1893 a decision was made by Father Krebs and his small group of parishioners to build the first St. Francis Borgia Church building. Since Pigeon was the approximate center of the villages served by Father Krebs, it was decided to build the church on the corner of Ruppert and Nitz streets, where presently the old Erla's supermarket stands. The structure, dedicated to St. Francis Borgia, was built of wood with a seating capacity of approximately 100 people. Also that year, a second phase in St. Francis Borgia history began with the transfer of Father Krebs and the assignment of Father John Helton at Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Church in Sebewaing. St. Francis Borgia was made a mission of the Sebewaing Parish where several priests from November 1893 to September 24, 1941, administered to the spiritual needs of the families at St. Francis Borgia.
In 1926, Father Edward Gutha purchased two acres of land located in the Village of Pigeon from Mr. Henry Moeller. Later that year, a small group of parishioners (approximately 60 families) contracted to build a new brick Spanish-Romanesque style church, which still stands today. The architect was Andrew R. Morison of Detroit, Michigan. A loan was negotiated from a local bank along with pledges and donations to help pay for the project. After the church was completed, Fr. Gutha also supervised the building of the present parish hall, which was completed in 1927.
In 1893 a decision was made by Father Krebs and his small group of parishioners to build the first St. Francis Borgia Church building. Since Pigeon was the approximate center of the villages served by Father Krebs, it was decided to build the church on the corner of Ruppert and Nitz streets, where presently the old Erla's supermarket stands. The structure, dedicated to St. Francis Borgia, was built of wood with a seating capacity of approximately 100 people. Also that year, a second phase in St. Francis Borgia history began with the transfer of Father Krebs and the assignment of Father John Helton at Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Church in Sebewaing. St. Francis Borgia was made a mission of the Sebewaing Parish where several priests from November 1893 to September 24, 1941, administered to the spiritual needs of the families at St. Francis Borgia.
In 1926, Father Edward Gutha purchased two acres of land located in the Village of Pigeon from Mr. Henry Moeller. Later that year, a small group of parishioners (approximately 60 families) contracted to build a new brick Spanish-Romanesque style church, which still stands today. The architect was Andrew R. Morison of Detroit, Michigan. A loan was negotiated from a local bank along with pledges and donations to help pay for the project. After the church was completed, Fr. Gutha also supervised the building of the present parish hall, which was completed in 1927.
An old image of the interior of the current St. Francis Borgia church, date unknown. Most likely shortly after the church was built in 1926.
On September 24, 1941, the Most Rev. William F. Murphy, Bishop of Saginaw, issued a decree raising the church in Pigeon to a full parish status under the name of St. Francis Borgia.
Fr. Aloysius Hafner, who was pastor of Sebewaing and Pigeon since November 1936, was assigned as the first resident pastor.
The brick contemporary Georgian style rectory was built during Father Hafner's pastorate. It has since been sold and is now a private residence.
Also, as a note of interest, Father Hafner played an influential role in the founding and design of the Scenic Golf and Country Club located on Filion Road northwest of Pigeon.
Many improvements have been made to the church building over the years. The first major renovation was completed in the late 1940s under the direction of Father Alphonse Kromka. At that time, a new mission tile roof was installed and the interior was redecorated. During Father Kirchman's pastorate (1955-1963), carpeting was installed in the sanctuary and the interior of the church was redecorated with rose tones with 23-carat gold leaf trim.
Father Cronkite (1963-1976) remodeled the sanctuary by installing paneling and addig a new moveable altar facing the people. Carpeting was installed throughout the church. The parish hall was also renovated with redwood siding, paneling on the interior walls, and moveable walls that could be closed to make six classrooms for teaching catechism.
In 1997, new carpeting was installed, the paneling around the altar was removed, and the interior was given a new coat of paint.
In 2025, the beginning of renovations, repairs and improvement projects have begun to take place as a result of many generous donations to the parish capital campaign.
Fr. Aloysius Hafner, who was pastor of Sebewaing and Pigeon since November 1936, was assigned as the first resident pastor.
The brick contemporary Georgian style rectory was built during Father Hafner's pastorate. It has since been sold and is now a private residence.
Also, as a note of interest, Father Hafner played an influential role in the founding and design of the Scenic Golf and Country Club located on Filion Road northwest of Pigeon.
Many improvements have been made to the church building over the years. The first major renovation was completed in the late 1940s under the direction of Father Alphonse Kromka. At that time, a new mission tile roof was installed and the interior was redecorated. During Father Kirchman's pastorate (1955-1963), carpeting was installed in the sanctuary and the interior of the church was redecorated with rose tones with 23-carat gold leaf trim.
Father Cronkite (1963-1976) remodeled the sanctuary by installing paneling and addig a new moveable altar facing the people. Carpeting was installed throughout the church. The parish hall was also renovated with redwood siding, paneling on the interior walls, and moveable walls that could be closed to make six classrooms for teaching catechism.
In 1997, new carpeting was installed, the paneling around the altar was removed, and the interior was given a new coat of paint.
In 2025, the beginning of renovations, repairs and improvement projects have begun to take place as a result of many generous donations to the parish capital campaign.
Priests who have served St. Francis Borgia Church:
In 1893, St. Francis Borgia was made a mission of the Sebewaing Parish.
The following priests served the Pigeon Mission from November 1893 until October 1941:
November 1893-September 1897: Fr. John Helton
August 1897-July 1900: Fr. Joseph Herr
July 1900-February 1903: Fr. L.J. VanStraelen
April 1903-July 1914: Fr. Charles F. Hofsted
July 1914-September 1916: Fr. John Bonkowski
September 1916-October 1919: Fr. John M. Lewis
October 1919-December 1922: Fr. Joseph Maier
December 1922-June 1924: Fr. George Schleisch
June 1924-March 1925: Fr. Charles Einig
March 1925-January 1932: Fr. Edward Gutha
January 1932-November 1936: Fr. Elmer Betzing
November 1936-October 1941: Fr. Aloysius Hafner
Since attaining full parish status:
October 1941-June 1947: Fr. Aloysius Hafner
June 1947-April 1955: Fr. Alphonse Kromka
April 1955-September 1963: Fr. Bernard J. Kirchman
September 1963-July 1975: Fr. Glenn Wm. Cronkite
July 1975-March 1976: Fr. James Kendziorski
March 1976-July 1984: Fr. Michael H. Wolf
July 1984-July 1991: Fr. Bernard Skornia
July 1991-July 1997: Fr. Barney Janowicz
October 1997-July 1999 - Sacramental Minister: Fr. Malcolm Maloney, OFM Cap.
July 1999-2004 - Sacramental Minister: Fr. George Serour
(October 1997-2006: Pastoral Administrator Sr. Theresa Fox, OP
2006-2008: Pastoral Administrator Sr. Marcia Andrews, IHM)
2004-2013: Sacramental Minister: Fr. John Weis
*2013: St. Francis Borgia merges with St. Roch and St. Felix churches to form Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish*
2013-2022: Fr. Robert Pare
2022-Present: Fr. George Amos
The following priests served the Pigeon Mission from November 1893 until October 1941:
November 1893-September 1897: Fr. John Helton
August 1897-July 1900: Fr. Joseph Herr
July 1900-February 1903: Fr. L.J. VanStraelen
April 1903-July 1914: Fr. Charles F. Hofsted
July 1914-September 1916: Fr. John Bonkowski
September 1916-October 1919: Fr. John M. Lewis
October 1919-December 1922: Fr. Joseph Maier
December 1922-June 1924: Fr. George Schleisch
June 1924-March 1925: Fr. Charles Einig
March 1925-January 1932: Fr. Edward Gutha
January 1932-November 1936: Fr. Elmer Betzing
November 1936-October 1941: Fr. Aloysius Hafner
Since attaining full parish status:
October 1941-June 1947: Fr. Aloysius Hafner
June 1947-April 1955: Fr. Alphonse Kromka
April 1955-September 1963: Fr. Bernard J. Kirchman
September 1963-July 1975: Fr. Glenn Wm. Cronkite
July 1975-March 1976: Fr. James Kendziorski
March 1976-July 1984: Fr. Michael H. Wolf
July 1984-July 1991: Fr. Bernard Skornia
July 1991-July 1997: Fr. Barney Janowicz
October 1997-July 1999 - Sacramental Minister: Fr. Malcolm Maloney, OFM Cap.
July 1999-2004 - Sacramental Minister: Fr. George Serour
(October 1997-2006: Pastoral Administrator Sr. Theresa Fox, OP
2006-2008: Pastoral Administrator Sr. Marcia Andrews, IHM)
2004-2013: Sacramental Minister: Fr. John Weis
*2013: St. Francis Borgia merges with St. Roch and St. Felix churches to form Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish*
2013-2022: Fr. Robert Pare
2022-Present: Fr. George Amos