CATHOLIC HERITAGE MUSEUM

History of the Catholic Heritage Museum

By Tassie Pochopien - Museum founder January 2003

1994

A church tour was organized by Tassie Pochopien, consisting of six historical churches of various denominations. The idea was well received so it was decided to repeat the tour the following year with different churches. At that time the Castle Museum (Saginaw County Historical Society) approached the tour committee and suggested that all the churches bring artifacts to the museum and include the Castle Museum as part of the tour. It was a great idea and the people attending showed interest in the church artifacts. During this time I discovered that our Catholic churches had many vestments and church artifacts that were not used, but were stored in basements and attics. Thus was due to changes in our churches after Vatican II. I thought, “why not have a Catholic Church Museum and preserve these sacred items”?

1996

Called Chuck Hoover, Director of the Castle Museum and asked for help on how to get a museum started. Mr. Hoover was very helpful and discussed many issues. He gave me books to read sa as to better understand what is involved in organizing a museum. He also warned me what a difficult project this would be, and all the complications I would face. Of course, I didn’t believe him because I figured I would just have a little museum and keep it simple. I was so wrong!

1997

Approached Fr. Tom sutton of St. Stephen’s Church about the possibilities of a Catholic Church Museum. Fr. Sutton did not discourage me but he pointed out that I could be handling sacred items and responsibilities that go with such a project. Shortly after Fr. Sutton was transferred to Auburn and I wondered what my next step would be.

March 28, 1997

An article appeared in the Catholic Weekly with the headline, “Diocese Reveals Jubilee Plans”. The article stated, “instead of parties and celebrations, it will focus on reconnecting, forgiveness and HERITAGE”. Tom Conklin was named as Saginaw’s subcommittee. I figured the word “heritage” could cover a museum. Called Tom Conklin and set up a meeting to discuss the plans of a museum. Mr. Conklin showed interest and many meetings followed. I asked for permission to contact all the churches in the Diocese (109) to see what the reaction would be.

October 1997

Sent a letter to all 109 churches in the Diocese regarding the plan for a Catholic Museum and explaining that this would be a Millinium project. Had a great response and churches called saying they had many artifacts. Mr. Conklin of the Diocese offered to print the forms to be used for recording the artifacts and conditions of responsibility. I realized cases were needed for display and at that time Jacobson’s (a downtown Saginaw store) were selling used cases - the cost being $750.00 for six cases. I contacted Kenneth Grembowski, state Treasurer of the Knights of Columbus, told him of my plans and asked for financial help. The Knights of Columbus agreed that it was a good idea and contributed $750 for the display cases. The Knights of Columbus Council 4232 in Saginaw gave an additional $250 for miscellaneous expenses. The problem was there was no location to display the artifacts.

1998

Fr. O’Connor of St. Stephen’s church gave permission to diplay the artifacts temporarily. Cases had to be moved from Jacobson’s to St. Stephen’s Church. Called Tom McDonald and asked for help, “will you loan us a truck”? Tom was gracious and said, “sure”. Cases were moved from Jacobsons to St. Stephen’s and I felt we made our official debut as a Catholic Church Museum. After eight months, the museum was moved to St. Mary’s Cathedral. This time Dick Katz of Remer Plumbing and Heating loaned us a truck with a man to help move the cases and church items. After our six month stay at the Cathedral we did not have a place to display the artifacts, so everything was packed and the cases were stored at the Knights of Columbus Council 4232 basement.

1999

The Center for Ministry located on Weiss was being completed and I had hoped that room would be allowed for the museum. That did not materialize. Decided something had to be done and called a meeting of people who were interested in preserving the artifacts and a museum and asked for suggestions. Connie Rehmann offered to contact Holy Spirit Church in Shields and find out if they would be interested in providing space for the museum. Fortunately, their youth co-ordinator, Marc Perry was looking for a program for the youth and decided it would be good for the youth to learn the Churches progress.

It was at Holy Spirit Church that several college-aged and high school-aged docents wre trained by Msgr. Murray to give tours of the exhibit. The response by visitors was very successful. The Youth co-ordinator felt this museum would provide the youth with a unique opportunity for catechetical growth and faith development.

2000

The year of stay at Holy Spirit Church came too soon and again we were faced with the problem of location. After much calling and checking I almost decided to give up the idea of a museum. Out of the clear, I got a call from Fred Wedding, a man I had never met and did not know - he had heard about the museum and felt it should be continued and offered to store the cases for free until a place could be located. I felt at this point I should continue to look for a place to again open the museum. Fred Wedding came with his truck and a couple of men to help and loaded the cases plus some of the heavy artifacts and stored them at his warehouse located on Holland Avenue. The rest of the artifacts were boxed and stored in our house and at St. Casimer’s Church.

2001

Moved into St. Casimer Church. On February 27, 2001 received our federal EIN (Employer Identification Number) 38-3583078. On September 28, 2001 we received a federal tax exemption under Section 501(a) in a formal Letter of Determination. An initial Constitution for the organization was completed.

Saginaw Community Foundation provides $500 grant to the Museum.

2006

Moved into Diocesan Offices. At 10 AM on June 23, 2006 a special ceremony was held to celebrate the museum's move into Diocesan facilities at 5800 Weiss St, Saginaw, Michigan 48603. During the celebration Bishop Robert J. Carlson blessed the Museum and its new location. The blessing was followed by one week of daily open houses during which many members of the public took advantage of the opportunity to visit. From those visits about one and one half dozen new museum volunteers were secured.

Purpose of the Museum

As outlined in our Constitution, the purpose of the museum is: “Preservation of Church artifacts, presenting historical church information and to encourage ecumenism for dialogue and discussion between faiths.”

The Historical Time Line creatively provides information about the development of major religious turning points affecting all humanity. (The Historical Time Line is a series of display panels located in the museum room, that collectively provide an outline of historical events from before Christ to the present).

This organization hopes to provide future generations the opportunity to appreciate the artistry and craftsmanship of the artifacts. The Board hopes to have the opportunity to provide meetings dealing with a variety of topics relating to all areas of religious development; such as the impact and genius of religious craftsmanship, religious literature and music and the arts, to name a few. We border “Celebration Square” and the Saginaw County Visitor and Convention Bureau has included the Museum in some of its activities.

Service Area

The Diocese of Saginaw is a faith community consisting of 11 counties in the east central part of the Roman Catholic Province of Detroit. Established by papal decree in June 1938, the Diocese was formed from portions of the Diocese of Grand Rapids and the Archdiocese of Detroit.

The six thousand nine hundred sixty nine (6,969) square miles of the Diocese include 11 counties in eastern Michigan: Arenac, Bay, Clare, Gladwin, Gratiot, Huron, Isabella, Midland, Saginaw, Sanilac and Tuscola. Major cities include Alma, Bay City, Bad Axe, Midland, Mt. Pleasant and Saginaw. The 1990 population of the 11 county area was estimated at 685,532. Of that figure an estimated 142,382 are Catholic. (Source: Catholic Directory, Diocese of Saginaw, 2000-2001)

End of Initial report from T. Pochopien

2002

January 29, 2002 members of the Catholic Heritage Museum gather and adopt a formal Constitution and By-laws. This new Board of Directors and officers consists of: Joseph Turner, President, Tassie Pochopien, Vice-President, Linda Forester, Secretary, Gerald Stankiewicz, Treasurer, Msgr. Francis Murray, Historian, Gerry LeFevre, Betty Mertz, Julie Fulara, Connie Rehmann, and Carl Wojcik. Later in the year Marjorie C. Jerome would join the Board and assume the duties of acting Secretary.

Home