[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 14]
[Senate]
[Page 18521]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




IN RECOGNITION OF THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF SAINT HEDWIG CATHOLIC CHURCH

 Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, it is my great pleasure to 
congratulate an outstanding and historic church from my home State of 
Michigan. This year, Saint Hedwig Catholic Church, located in southwest 
Detroit, is celebrating its centennial anniversary.
  Saint Hedwig Catholic Church grew out of a flourishing Polish 
neighborhood in 1903 and has continued to serve those in the community 
ever since. Over the course of the next 100 years, the church supported 
a school, a convent, and many civic organizations. The church community 
provided a safe haven of support for many Polish immigrants as they 
fled Europe during the first half of the twentieth century--a time when 
war ravaged the continent. During the mid-1950s, Saint Hedwig was one 
of the largest Polish-speaking parishes in the United States. Weekly 
services were delivered to 1,500 families and the church's school 
population grew to nearly 3,000 students.
  Today, the church and rectory still stand at the corner of Junction 
and St. Hedwig Streets. The beautiful stained glass, statues, murals, 
and facade are a tribute to the history of the church as well as 
southwest Detroit. Saint Hedwig continues to serve people outside the 
congregation by maintaining a food pantry for low-income families and 
homeless members of the community. The church also holds special events 
throughout the year such as a giving tree at Christmas and baby showers 
for expectant mothers with low incomes.
  The church has survived the effects of the Great Depression, disease, 
and urban sprawl because of the faith and dedication of its members. 
The service provided by the members of Saint Hedwig has been invaluable 
to the Detroit community and is worthy of recognition. I know my Senate 
colleagues will join me in congratulating Saint Hedwig Catholic Church 
and wish its members continued luck as they celebrate their 100th 
anniversary.

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