St Brigid

Saint Brigid Church was a mission church, served by a priest on horseback from Saginaw. In 1884 it became a parish serving Midland County, Auburn, and Freeland. During these formative years, this pioneer group of families were guided by Fr. Thomas Burns, succeeded by Fr. Thomas McNamara and later by Fr. Dennis J. Malone. In 1866, Benjamin Bradley o... ffered to sell his residence and two lots at Ashman and Larkin to Saint Brigid Church. The residence, now known as the Bradley House, became the parish rectory. Needing money to finance this venture, Fr. Malone requested donations. Herbert H. Dow, who had established the Dow Chemical Company a decade earlier, offered him $1,000.00 cash, or the equivalent in stock. Needing immediate money, Fr. Malone accepted the cash. The moving of the church building in 1866 took three weeks with the rollers inching along the streets of Midland. The event was the highlight of Midland's social life, culminating with a huge party put on by the Ladies Altar Guild. In 1921 the name of the parish was formally changed to Saint Brigid, the original intention of the founding families. The parish growth continued with the opening of Saint Brigid School in 1922 with 150 students taught by the sisters of Mercy who left in 1981. the school is now staffed by lay teachers. By 1940 a larger church structure was needed. In 1941 the current 800 seat Tudor Gothic structure was dedicated by Bishop William Murphy. The three marble altars, donated by Mrs. Herbert H. Dow, would not arrive from Italy until six years later, as they were hidden in a cave during the war. The original church organ was purchased from the Old Frolic Theater. this was replaced by an electronic organ and then in 1993 by the current Berghaus Organ. Still remembered, with a wealth of stories, are long-time pastors Msgr. Joseph Illig and Fr. Thomas Ryan. Also fondly remembered are the Redemptorist priests who staffed Saint Brigid Parish from 1970 to 1990. For 60 years the Bradley House served as the parish rectory. In 1969 a new ...Read More