The period of time during the ground breaking ceremony was a very exciting time for the newly formed Parish. Each week it seemed something new was being added and each month it seemed that new firsts were being achieved. The first Baptism of a Parishioner happening months earlier on July 17, 1955 (actually there were two first Baptism’s done simultaneously by Fr. DePlaunty, thus Peter S Tylutki and Laurence G Haggard were the first baptized into the Parish). The first marriage in the Parish was that of Kenneth W Buckley and Shirley P Rocheleau, at which Fr. DePlaunty officiated on July 23, 1955. The first death of a Parishioner would happen October 14th when Olive Sancrainte (83) passed away about a month after the ground breaking.

The aforementioned First Chronicle was mailed to every parishioner and they were told to keep the copy since it will have much useful information. It seems that this first issue of the Chronicle was so popular and interesting that every copy was given out and none were saved for the Rectory records. For 15 years the bound bulletin copies of “The Chronicle” began with the second issue on September 18, 1955. In 1970 an announcement was made in to the Parish (in the Chronicle of course) asking if anyone has a copy of the first issue so that St. Albert’s records would be complete.

The third Chronicle, which was sent out September 25th, 1955 describes the ground breaking ceremony which had happened the week before.

“Besides the many parishioners present with the Pastor, we were privileged to have present the following clergymen: Fr. Francis Van Hout, Pastor of St. Sebastian Parish; Fr. Peter Borkowicz, Pastor of St. Martha Parish; Fr. Andrew P. Jacobs, Pastor of Holy Cross Parish; and Fr. Poulin of the Marist Fathers. The first step of the new Parish of St. Albert the Great has been taken. The architect of this first building, Mr. Robert J. Svoboda, as well as the general contractor, Mr. J.M. Worswick, were present.”

The article about the ground breaking ceremony in the 3rd Chronicle was not the only item of historical interest in that Chronicle. It also contains the first mention of Mass Servers (Altar Boys) for St. Albert’s service. Thus the first Altar Boys at St. Albert’s were Edward Wohlford, Bob Heinrich, Richard Dombrowski, Richard Machszynski, Bob Szalay, Jim Szalay, Mike Chircop, Frank Feltman, Edward Maliszewski, and Lynn Strayer.

The ground breaking for St. Albert’s was Sept 18th, 1955 under the guidance of Pastor Father Leo DePlaunty (who’s photograph was on display in the Church vestibule when the little friends were in school). After the ground breaking ceremony work on the construction of the Church building would proceed according to plan.

Two weeks after the ground breaking ceremony another first occurred when the Parishioners would receive their first envelopes for contributions for the upcoming year. The suggested minimum contribution would be one hour wages per week.

Below are several photos of the ground breaking ceremony held September 18, 1955, a truly magical day in the history of St. Albert the Great