On June 24th, 1955, His Eminence, Edward Cardinal Mooney, Archbishop of Detroit, appointed Fr. Leo J. DePlaunty as Pastor of the newly established Parish in the vicinity of Annapolis and Parker streets in Dearborn Township. Cardinal Mooney then issued the Latin decree establishing the Parish of St. Albert the Great, with the following boundaries: North – Notre Dame to Madison to Whitmore to Monroe; East – Monroe (both sides) to the Expressway; South – the Expressway to Telegraph; West – Telegraph to Notre Dame (See First Chronicle for Map).
The land for the parish site was bought by the Archdiocese out of ADF funds. The property, including the temporary rectory, taxes, and legal services, was acquired at the cost of $39, 353.92. Later on the parish repaid the Archdiocese for this original grant.
Fr. DePlaunty asked Cardinal Mooney’s approval for naming the new parish “St. Albert the Great”, and his Eminence heartily approved the choice of the Patron Saint.
Mr. Robert L. Svoboda was hired to be the Architect for the new church building.
The original Church Committee comprised the following:
A.P. O’Connor,
John J. Castonguay,
George M. Gregely,
Raymond A. Heinrich,
James M. Uetz.
After the Architect, Robert Svoboda, had completed the final plans for the Parish Church and Community Hall, seven bids were received. The lowest bid was submitted by the J.M. Worswick Co., 20495 Woodingham, Detroit. Their bid was $165,899.00. Fr. DePlaunty received permission from the Archdiocese to accept this bid. The electrical work was to be done by Penn Electric, and the plumbing and heating by Arrow Plumbing and McRae Heating. It should be kept in mind that the low bid mentioned above does not include furnishings nor architects fees and other sundry items. Fr. DePlaunty entered a contract with Frank Carcone Associates which read in part as follows: “…conducting a campaign to raise the approximate sum of $100,000.00 for capital building fund purposes.” Thus the physical composition of the parish began to take shape.
Fr. DePlaunty needed a rectory in the community so he bought the house and property at 5130 Pardee. This would be more than a home for the Pastor as it would also be a place to house meetings, make plans, and to even have small Church services during the week.
