Thanks to the efforts of its parishioners, St. Anne Catholic Church owns its building free and clear.
The Ortonville parish burned its mortgage earlier this month after the church paid off the last of its remaining obligations on a project which began to take shape nearly two decades ago.
Plans for an addition to the original church originated in 1987, when the St. Anne Planning Committee was formed under the direction of former pastor Fr. John J. Sullivan.
The committee was charged with gathering information to determine future needs for the church. In doing so, they looked at the projections for future growth, changing demographics, and what services the church would be offering in the future.
Ortonville resident Cheryl Gault, who moved to the area in 1987, was a member of the church’s Building and Capital Committees at the time an addition was being considered. As part of those committees, Gault met with representatives of the Archdiocese of Detroit to help facilitate plans for the addition.
Gault said rapid growth in the Brandon Township area was a key factor in formulating the addition.
‘We were having more children attend Sunday services, and we had standing room only at Masses,? she said. ‘We also needed a new sanctuary.?
In addition, the Planning Committee decided more parish offices were needed, which increased the total cost to $1.415 million. St. Anne parishioners pledged $600,000 before construction began.
Groundbreaking for the new building began May 14, 1989, and it was dedicated Oct. 13, 1990, with the Most Rev. Adam J. Maida, the Archbishop of Detroit, presiding.
Jackie Nowicki, an Ortonville resident and St. Anne parishioner, was a cochair of the Planning Committee at the time of the expansion.
She said the church initially borrowed funds from the Archdiocese of Detroit to build the addition, but the debt was eventually paid through both the initial pledge drive and a second phase of pledges.
‘Even though the economy was declining (at the time the addition was built), the parish family came through,? she said.
The original church building is still very much a part of St. Anne, only it has been converted into a meeting center known as Hardy Hall, named in honor of the late Fr. John Hardy, the founding pastor of St. Anne.
Gault said even though the local economy has struggled in recent years, the St. Anne community deserves credit for coming together to pay off the mortgage.
‘I think this was a real testament to the dedication of our parishioners,? she said. ‘Many of our families have jobs in the auto industry and have struggled economically. It’s a testament to their faith and their commitment.?
Now, St. Anne has a facility which will benefit many generations to come, including Gault’s granddaughter, Grace Montreuil.
‘It was for them that we did this,? she said.