 St. Mary's takes special pride in its windows. The windows in the nave were installed in 1903. They are Tiffany-like ornamental windows and the rosettes at the top are symbolic of teachings of the Church. The windows around the Romanesque sanctuary were installed between 1903 and 1914. They represent significant events in the life of Jesus and Mary. The borders are rich with symbolic designs.  STATUE OF THE RECORDING ANGEL
This statue, which stands at the Southeast corner of our church, was the first commemorative statue in Monroe and was unveiled on Thanksgiving Day, November 10, 1889, one year after the centennial of the parish. The statue is cut from Italian Carrara marble and stands six feet high. Just below the statue is the seal of the County of Monroe with the Centennial dates. Below that is a quotation from a letter of President George Washington to the Catholics of America. On a sandstone plinth are inscribed the names of the honored guests at the Centennial celebration, including Bishop Foley of Detroit, Honorable Cyrus Luce, Governor of Michigan, and the Mayor of Monroe, Charles Golden. Also inscribed is a list of names of people we would assume contributed to the statue. 1788 - Parish of St. Mary founded by French Canadian Catholics, named St. Antoine (St. Anthony) of the River Raisin 1794 - First pastor arrives, Fr. Edmund Burke, from Quebec 1817 - Monroe County established 1829 - Second church building - "Fairgrounds church" built 1839 - Third parish church built on current site at Elm & Monroe 1845 - St. Antoine renamed to St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception 1845- Fr. Gillet establishes IHM religious order of women 1861 - 1865 Civil War soldiers drill and camp on church grounds 1888 - St. Mary parish 100 Year Anniversary Celebration 1889 - The Recording Angel statue dedicated 1904 - New sanctuary completed and dedicated 1910 - The Sacred Heart Institute built, school for students 1914 - 125th Parish Anniversary celebration 1918 - New rectory built and old 1871 Victorian one dismantled 1921 -Additional classrooms added to the Sacred Heart Institute 1928 - New organ installed in choir loft of church 1942 - Fr. Henry DeGryse dies after 29 years as pastor 1954 - New school building added to parish by Fr. R. Francis Paquette 1955 - Sisters' house purchased on Borgess Avenue 1959 - Monument and memorial unveiled at original parish site of St. Antoine during Michigan Week 1965 - Religious Pre-school classes begun 1968 - Fr. Carl Gentner installed as pastor 1970's - John Raymond begins as parish Organist and Music Director and Beth Dusseau begins as Choir Director 1975 - Parish Council organized from parishioners 1987 - Arrival of Fr. Brian Chabala as 21st Pastor of St. Mary Parish. Large scale renovation begins! Parish Celebrates Mass in St. Mary Academy auditorium 1987 - Sister Margaret Cutcher retires as Principal of St. Mary Parish School. 1987 - Mary Ann Lipinski becomes the new Principal. 1988 - 200 Years of Catholic Faith Celebrated by St. Mary Parish Renovated church rededicated by newly named Edmund Cardinal Szoka 1988 - Ceramic mosaics of St. Mary and St. Antoine of Padua installed in front niches of church 1997 – Arrival of our 22nd Pastor, Fr. Anthony Sulkowski Sister Geraldine Nowak, OSF, resigns as Pastoral Associate and is succeeded by Sister Jean O’Connor. 1998 - Dedication of the Parish Life Center, gym and section of St. Mary School and Religious Education Offices 2002 – Church Bell tower glass window is replaced by large mosaic of Jesus Christ 2002 - Arrival of our 23rd Pastor, Fr. Timothy Babcock 2003– Sister Jean O’Connor, IHM, St. Mary Pastoral Associate, retired and was succeeded by Sister Carmela Whitton, OSF 2004 - Our parish's 216th year of faith, an ongoing history.... 2005 - Arrival of our 24th Pastor, Fr. Marc Gawronski
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Statue of the Recording Angel
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