Unity Park Neighborhood in Pontiac in Oakland County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

St. Vincent de Paul Church

Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, May 28, 2021

1. St. Vincent de Paul Church Marker

Side 1

Inscription. St. Vincent de Paul parish, established in 1851 by Bishop Peter Paul Lefevere, once included all of Oakland County and parts of Genesee, Lapeer and Macomb Counties. The parish’s first house of worship, the Academy Building, was first a private school and later a branch of the University of Michigan. In 1866 the church was moved from North Saginaw Street to Oakland Avenue at Lafayette. The parish grew as increasing numbers of Irish and German Catholic immigrants came to Pontiac to work in industry and farming. The Reverend Fridolin Baumgartner, pastor from 1876 to 1894, organized the fund-raising for the construction of the present church. Nearly 5,000 people celebrated as its cornerstone was laid on September 6, 1885.

Detroit architects John M. Donaldson and Walter Meier designed this Victorian Gothic church. Upon its dedication on September 18, 1887, a fourteen-coach excursion train brought spectators and clergy from Detroit to Pontiac to celebrate. Bishop Casper Henry Borgess and Father Fridolin Baumgartner presided over the ceremony. A 6,600-pound bell, cast by H. Stuckstede and Company, was installed in the bell

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tower of the church in 1890. The St. Frederick School building, added in 1897, was replaced by the present structure in 1923. The school was staffed by the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Monroe, until it closed in 1969. The rectory was built in 1895; the parish hall in 1911.

Erected 1988 by Bureau of History, Michigan Department of State. (Marker Number L1403.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical date for this entry is September 18, 1887.

Location. 42° 37.936′ N, 83° 17.31′ W. Marker is in Pontiac, Michigan, in Oakland County. It is in the Unity Park Neighborhood. It is at the intersection of Woodward Avenue and Whittemore Street, on the right when traveling north on Woodward Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 46408 Woodward Ave, Pontiac MI 48342, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Michigan

and in Greater Detroit.

It is also in the American

Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, May 28, 2021

2. St. Vincent de Paul Church Marker

Side 2

Midwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: St. Vincent De Paul World War II Memorial (a few steps from this marker); First Methodist Episcopal Church (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Woodward Avenue (approx. 0.2 miles away); Pontiac Monument (approx. 0.3 miles away); Pontiac's Coach Builders (approx. 0.3 miles away); Pontiac Public Library (approx. 0.3 miles away); From Trail To Pavement (approx. 0.3 miles away); Oak Hill Cemetery (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pontiac.

Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, May 28, 2021

3. St. Vincent de Paul Church Marker

St. Vincent de Paul image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, May 28, 2021

4. St. Vincent de Paul

Statue of the patron saint

St. Vincent de Paul Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, May 28, 2021

5. St. Vincent de Paul Church

The church was added to NRHP June 9, 1989.

Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, May 28, 2021

6. St. Vincent de Paul Church

Cornerstone

Public Domain - Painting by Simon François de Tours, circa 1750

7. St. Vincent de Paul

Credits. This page was last revised on February 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 31, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 1,033 times since then and 81 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on May 31, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. 7. submitted on October 18, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.