Lithuanians in America...

The Divine Providence Lithuanian Parish

The Divine Providence Lithuanian Parish's publication was the product of editor Rasa Karvelienė and the editorial committee: Father Aloyzas Volskis, Janina Udrienė, and Ramunė Miliūnienė. Contributing authors and photographers were the parishioners themselves.

When each generation of Lithuanians arrived to the United States, they followed their faith and traditions to live near a Church which welcomed and nurtured their Lithuanian heritage. In most cases Lithuanian immigrants and refugees built their own churches and cultural centers. In some instances Lithuanians shared their house of worship with other ethnic groups. The parish was the home base for all Lithuanian-American activity and holds the rich history of the Lithuanian-Americans.

The following history of the Divine Providence Lithuanian Parish of Southfield, Michigan is an excerpt from its 90th anniversary publication published in October of 1998.

Our parishioners may boast of a most unusual fact -- that in one lifetime our parish has had three churches.

It all began in 1908 on the East Side of Detroit -- specifically on Westminster Avenue. Our first church was named St. George's. Father Casimir Valaitis (1864 - 1941) and the St. George Society organized St. George's Lithuanian parish in 1908. St. George Society had their meetings at the Polish St. Albertus hall at Canfield and St. Aubin Avenues not far from St. Josephat's Church, also Polish, where Father Valaitis was an assistant.

A wooden church was built at Westminster and Cardoni Avenues in the spring of 1908, and Bishop John S. Foley of Detroit blessed the structure in 1909. Father Casimir Skrypkus took Father Valaitis' place in 1915, having arrived from Westville, Illinois. He soon undertook plans for the construction of a brick church, starting in 1916. Bishop Michael J. Gallagher of Grand Rapids blessed it in 1917. Bishop Gallagher was later bishop of the Detroit diocese.

When Father Skrypkus left in March of 1919, Father Fabian Kemėšis became administrator of the parish. He was one of the most active priests in the Lithuanian colonies of that day. He had been editor of the Lithuanian dailies "Draugas" and "Darbininkas", had organized a local chapter of the American Lithuanian Roman Catholic Alliance, revived the Knights of Lithuania, and built the parish school in 1920.

Father Kemėšis left the parish in 1922, since there were three priests present, including him. The others were Father Joseph Čižauskas and Father Ignas F. Boreišis. He continued his studies at the Catholic University at Washington and then returned to Lithuania, where he taught at Dotnuva Agricultural College. During the war he was deported to Siberia, where he died on January 21, 1954.

He was succeeded by Father Joseph Čižauskas in 1922 as pastor. His was a long record of thirty-four years in the parish. Father Joseph was an accomplished musician; he taught voice, piano and the organ. He purchased about an acre of land at John R. and Eleven Mile Roads and called it "Birutės Daržas", where for some thirty years parish picnics were held. It is now a children's park in Madison Heights, Michigan. During his pastorate these were a few of the highlights: a new bell was purchased; the school was enlarged; the convent was bricked; the church was painted on the inside with artistic angels, etc. by the Lithuanian artist Jagminas; a statue of St. George was erected on the church lawn, a donation of the Majauskas family; a Lourdes Shrine was also erected; a huge chandelier was hung in the church, a gift of Vincas Jančaitis; and new stations of the cross were installed, donated by Kazimieras Jokubaitis.

It was during this time period, the early 1920s, that the largest number of parishioners was recorded in St. George's history – about 1,000. But later in the 40s, because of a planned freeway adjacent to the building, Rev. Joseph Čižauskas and the church committee began their search for a suitable location for a new church.

The site selected was on Schaefer Road, near Grand River Avenue in 1949. Because of the fact that St. George's was then being used as a 'Mission’, Chancery personnel chose "Divine Providence" was their new name.

Not too many years passed before Detroit decided the city needed another freeway. To the consternation of parishioners of Divine Providence, the new road would take the church building.

After several considerations, the decision was made to purchase a plot on West Nine Mile and Beech Roads, in the western suburb of Southfield. During the time plans were developing for the new edifice, the actual period of construction and the subsequent completion of it, nearby St. Beatrice's (under Father Arthur Neffy, pastor) graciously accepted our parishioners into their fold.

Moneymaking projects followed to finalize the dreams of this undertaking. Two organizations, which had their beginnings in the first church, helped with their contributions. They were the American Lithuanian Roman Catholic Women's Alliance and the newly re-activated Knights of Lithuania. A building fund of $200,000 of donations by parishioners was established. Newly arrived Lithuanians from the other two Lithuanian parishes, St. Anthony's and St. Peter's, joined the task.

When actual work was needed, all contributed their talents -- whether it was laying floor tile, painting the rectory and classrooms in the Cultural Center, or landscaping the grounds. Rev. Michael Kundrat was pastor at that time. (Father (Čižauskas had passed on.) Father 'Mike' and a building committee worked diligently to persuade Bishop Thomas Gumbleton that our wish was for an ethnic Lithuanian parish. Prayers, an impressive presentation, and constant persuasion helped to convince the good Bishop. He conceded.

The original architect was Dr. Alfred Kulpa of Toronto. After two years he was replaced by Albert Kerelis of Chicago.

The day of dedication (1973. IX 23) was eventful, with dignitaries John Cardinal Dearden, Bishops Vincent Brizgys and Antanas Deksnys concelebrating mass with a dozen other clergy.

Numerous groups organized themselves into societies and clubs. All helped in the financial support and upkeep of this newly consecrated church building. The Cultural Center with its modern kitchen and dining facilities soon became the center of activities. The gymnasium/auditorium combination, with its huge stage, afforded space for hundreds of participants during affairs, such as dinner dances, wedding receptions, and theatrical performances. Our parishioners fully utilize its facilities.

Councils, societies, and clubs that actively participate or participated in Divine Providence's rich history include:

	The Parish Council
	The Pastoral Council
	The Stewardship or Administration Committee
	The Christian Service Committee
	The Worship-Liturgy Committee
	The Education Committee
	The "Žiburys" Lithuanian School
	The Choir
	The Lithuanian American Roman Catholic Federation "Ateitininkai"
	Detroit's "country-folk" cappella "Malūnėlis" or "Little Windmill"
	The 54th Chapter of the American Lithuanian Roman Catholic Women's Alliance (inactive as of 1994)
	The Lithuanian American Community Detroit Chapter
	The Daughters of Lithuania Detroit Chapter
	"Šiauliai" – whose purpose was to assist in the maintenance of public safety – two chapters: the Stasio Butkaus and the Švyturio Jūrų groups.
	The Knights of Lithuania (Lietuvos Vyčiai) Detroit Chapter
	Detroit area Lithuanian Scouts
	Lithuanian sports club "Kovas"
	Lithuanian folk dance group "Šaltinis"

On the lawn stands a Lithuanian-type cross, donated by the Knights of Lithuania. At one of their conventions, John Cardinal Dearden stated, "Hold on to your Catholic Lithuanian traditions." The outdoor sculpture gracing the front windows is a figure of Christ with his arms extended. It was a donation from the Stankus-Raubys family, old parishioners from St. George's. Numerous donations were received to supply the church proper with needed articles for the altar and furnishings. Generosity of individuals was very gratifying. An air-conditioning unit was installed with the extra contributions of considerate parishioners.

During the years from 1973 to 1983, the parish was struggling to become reestablished in its new Southfield location. There were many tasks to perform and an enormous financial debt to repay to the Detroit Archdiocese. Those years were very difficult, but ultimately brought great rewards.

Father Viktoras Kriščiunevičius came to Divine Providence Parish on January 1, 1975. During his twenty years of service, he left a deep impression on everyone. He baptized our children, gave them their First Communion, invited bishops to confirm our adolescents, married our young couples, and assisted the dying. We will always be grateful for his efforts to instill in all of us a love for God and country, and his diligence in the administration of our parish.

Father Kriščiunevičius retired in 1995. A search committee was given the task of finding a Lithuanian pastor. Because there is a shortage of priests in general, finding a Lithuanian priest was all the more demanding. During this transitional period, Father Dan Trapp served as parish administrator. Volunteers staffed the rectory. Father Trapp was warmly received and well liked by the parishioners.

Father Valdas Valdemaras was appointed pastor to Divine Providence Parish on October 2, 1995. Unfortunately, problems arose in April 1996 because of financial concerns and deterioration in communication. Over time it became obvious that, despite the efforts of the parish council and individual members of the parish to resolve problems with the pastor, serious action was imminent. After several consultations with Bishop Paulius Baltakis and Bishop Kevin Britt, Father Valdemaras was transferred out of the parish.

Again a search committee was formed and the arduous task of recruiting a new pastor resumed. Father Aloyzas Volskis was strongly recommended and assigned to the parish on October 12, 1997. Everyone looked forward to his arrival.

Since 1983, the parish council has been very active. They have helped celebrate anniversaries and special feasts, participated in fund-raisers, organized cultural and religious events, and helped maintain the daily operations of the parish. Currently many renovation projects are in motion, with outstanding physical amid moral support from numerous parishioners, both young and of golden age. At the same time, the pastor and the parish council are pooling their energies to make the spiritual program "Renew" viable for all the faithful.

Our Parish has survived for ninety years of trials and tribulations with many moments of anxiety -- when it was doubtful that we would ever have a worthy house of worship. Our Lithuanian persistence and ingenuity won us the beautiful structure we now worship in and call our own.

As we reflect on our past, it is important to keep in mind that our parish is actually two separate entities, Divine Providence Church and Divine Providence Cultural Center. The Church is the "home" to which we come to worship and learn to live by the teachings of Christ. The Cultural Center is home to our various Lithuanian cultural, educational, and social organizations promoting our heritage. During this 90th anniversary, as Lithuanian-American Catholics, we gratefully appreciate having both, the Church and the Cultural, enriching our lives spiritually and culturally. 

The Church Reflects the Lithuanian Soul

This wooden sculpture depicts the Hill of Crosses in Lithuania, carved by Jurgis Daugvila. Photo from the Church’s 90th Anniversary Publication

Our Lithuanian Catholic Church in Detroit lived through three stages in its ninety years of existence. St. George’s Church, built in 1908, was of the Renaissance neoclassic style. The Divine Providence Church on Schaefer reflected the minimalist tastes of the time. The present Southfield church strongly reflects the Lithuanian spirit in a modern structure.

The memorable look of the steeple was achieved by uniquely tilting it. Dr. Alfonsas Kulpa, the architect, sums up the concept of the steeple this way: "The design of the steeple is the result of religious and human expression and represents in the dynamics of the architect the experiences of the modern era." Dr. A. Kulpa received his engineering-architecture degree in Darmstadt, Germany. Ten Lithuanian churches have been built according to his design. Currently he is residing in Canada.

Both the exterior and the interior of the church are impressively adorned with stained glass windows. These are the works of Vytautas K Jonynas, one of the best known Lithuanian artists (1907-1997). He began cultivating his artistic talent in his homeland. Later he established the Baltic Academy of Art in Freiburg, Germany. In New York, he had a successful studio specializing in church interior design and stained glass; he was also a painter and worked in the graphic arts.

The stained glass designed for the Divine Providence Church has Jonynas’s typical graphic expression with its lyrical lines and elegant stylization. The subject matter of each of the four windows varies in form from the realistic "St. Casimir" to the abstract "The Ascension of the Holy Spirit." Decorative stained glass of different hues gently illuminates the little chapel of Mary in the back of the church. However, the artist draws the eyes of the faithful to the front, this time to the white art pieces: bas-relief sculpture to the left of the altar, then to the all-encompassing sculpture of Jesus, suspended high above the main altar with outstretched hands, as if embracing his fold.

Over the past few years, folk art tradition has been introduced in the interior of the church in the form of large woodcarvings by Jurgis Daugvila.

Two wooden relief pieces depicting wayside crosses and Archbishop Matulaitis are quite intricate in design, yet blend gently with the ambient earthy tones of the interior of the church. In the back of the church, there is a chapel of Mary, with its little altar, and the triptych of the Pieta and Annunciation, also sculpted in wood.

From the parish that lasted twenty-two years on Schaefer, many still remember the ten-foot tall statue of "The Sacred Heart of Jesus". It now stands in front of a tree close to the entrance of the Southfield church's property, blessing parishioners and passers-by alike. Further down the drive there is a fenced cross, rendered in the traditional folk style, but produced from a special alloy to evoke a wooden appearance. V. K. Jonynas designed it, with stylized folk elements as if it were carved by a folk artist from Lithuania.

Aside from the art in the church, the adjoining Cultural Center houses a number of paintings presented to the parish as gifts, often by artists who enjoyed their works displayed at organized art exhibits.

The parish, obviously, is comprised of people, but also includes what they have achieved and created with their God-given talent, expressing the feelings of their souls. The Ninetieth Jubilee was a perfect opportunity to reflect and appreciate.