Milestones

A Storied History

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June 23rd 1946

Established by Bishop Haas of Grand Rapids, with the appointment of Fr. Charles Brophy as Pastor.

1946
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June 26th 1946

First Mass offered in Town Hall by Fr. A.J. LeRoux.

1946
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1949

New Church designed by Alden Dow in Longhouse style dedicated.

Fr. Brophy suggest that a large wooden Cross be erected as the focal point of an outdoor Church.

1949
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July 1953

A large redwood tree is cut down in the mountains of Oregon to be later fashioned into the new Cross.

1953
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1954

The Marist Fathers assume leadership of the Parish and Shrine.

1954
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August 5th 1954

The Cross is erected on Calvary Hill.

1954
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1956

Outdoor altar and Holy Stairs are blessed by Bishop Babcock.

1956
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1957

Life size marble statue of Our Lady of the Highway blessed and placed in the center lawn of the Shrine near the highway.

1957
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1959

Bronze corpus designed by Marshall Fredericks is attached to the Cross, formal dedication is August 16.

1959
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1961

Diocese of Grand Rapids again assumes leadership of the Shrine and Parish.

1961
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1961 - 1964

Extensive building projects are undertaken including: new outdoor restrooms, gift shop, rectory addition, church addition, outdoor granite altar and ambo, parking lot and parish cemetery were added.

1961 - 1964
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1964

Wally and Sally Rogalski of Saginaw donate their collection of dolls dressed in religious garb to create the new Doll Museum.

1964
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1971

New life size wooden statue of Kateri Tekakwitha blessed.

Gaylord Diocese is formed.

1971
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1979

New Family Center built and dedicated.

1979
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1983

Name changed from Indian River Catholic Shrine to Cross In The Woods.

1983
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1986 - 1987

Complete renovation of Shrine grounds, Hall of Saints, Resurrection Garden, and St. Peregrine statue added.

1986 - 1987
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1989

Franciscan Friars assume leadership of Shrine and Parish.

1989
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1992

Restoration of the Cross and Corpus.

1992
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1994

Statue of St. Francis of Assisi, and Shrine of St. Peregrine added.

1994
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1996

50th anniversary of Parish and groundbreaking for new Church.

1996
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June 29th 1997

New Church dedicated.

1997
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1999

Gift Shop addition completed.

1999
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2001

New Bronze Kateri Tekakwitha statue blessed.

2001
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2008

Death of Fr. Donard Paulus, OFM, first Franciscan pastor at Cross in the Woods.

2008
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2010

Completion of Phase One of Cross Restoration.

2010
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2012

Addition of Fr. Michael McGivney Memorial.

2012