St. Michael's Historical Church

St. Michael's Historical Church. Celebrating 125 Years. , In the year 1879, on a blustery Sunday in March, a man wearing the cassock of a religious made his appearance in the village of Poplar Springs. He asked to be directed to the home of Lilbourne P. Kuhn who lived on a large farm along this road. Mr. Kuhn was not Catholic but was familiar with the faith, after spending time in South America helping build the Ecuadorian Navy. The mysterious priest asked Mr. Kuhn to allow the use of his home for Masses to be heard. Mr. Kuhn advertised in Mt. Airy and Woodbine that Mass would be celebrated the following Sunday. Twenty Catholics gathered on two succeeding Sundays, but no priest came. Later, Kuhn reached the Superior of St. Charles College who contacted the Rector of Woodstock College, The Rev. Charles Ferrari, S.J. was sent to look after the matter and became the first priest to minister to the small gathering. Aware of the need to worship, Mr. Kuhn donated ground for both the church and cemetery. On June 12, 1880, the cornerstone was laid. On October 18, the first Mass was celebrated by the Rev. Edward I. Devitt, S.J., who became the first regular pastor. In 1892, St. Michael's became a mission church of St. Joseph's, Sykesville. Mass was offered once a month and on Holy days. In 1936, weekly services and Sunday school were started by the Rev. John A. Martin. The silver Jubilee was marked with a Mass celebrated by MSGR. Robert J. Achestter and Father Devitt. The Golden Jubilee was observed by Fr. William Neligan, pastor from 1930-1936. ON September 23, 1956, the seventy-fifth Anniversary was honored by the presence of his Excellency Francis P. Keought, Archbishop of Baltimore. After seventy-two years as a mission church, his Eminence Lawrence Cardinal Shehan established St. Michael's as a separate parish on June 6, 1964. On May 6, 1979, St. Michael's celebrated one hundred years as a parish.,

Interesting Facts. . Electric lights were installed around 1950. Before that, Evening services were held by candlelight. Later, the two chandeliers were donated by W. Kevin Smith in memory of his parents Julia and Francis Smith. , . Originally, there was no water in the church and an outdoor privy was available. , . The confessional was located to the right of the altar in a small room. The person confessing would kneel in the arched alcove which was draped with a curtain. , . The post Vatican II altar was constructed by Frank Capella using funds donated in loving memory of Monica Morel who died February 1, 1964, age 3 1/2 years. , . The stained glass window over the front doors was donated in memory of J. Garrett Reilly by his family. , . The Blessed Mother round stained glass window over the front entrance was donated in loving memory of Edward and Mary Cavanaugh. It can be seen best from the choir loft. , . The St. Michael the Archangel round stained glass window over the altar was donated in memory of Woodrow Welsh by his family. , . The original heat source was a coal/wood furnace in the basement. , . After the Heritage of Hope Campaign in 1998, the church was renovated. , . The church is now used for daily Mass, devotions and small weddings and funerals.