History

In August 1956, the rector of St. James Episcopal Church, South Bend, (now the Cathedral of St. James) announced to his congregation a plan to form a new mission of the parish. Fifty families from St. James began this new mission in the former residence of Bishop Mallett on the corner of Jefferson Boulevard and Ironwood Drive. It was here that St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church was born.

The mission started on Sunday, October 28, 1956, with two services and 190 people in attendance. With uncommon speed, St. Michael’s applied for parish status in October 1957. The Diocesan Convention approved the request. In 1958 there were approximately 90 pledging families. On the feast of St. Michael, September 29, 1959, the parish dedicated an addition to the house which had previously served as both sanctuary and parish hall. This addition became the sanctuary, and the house was used for such parish functions as Sunday school, meetings, social gatherings and office space. In 1969 there were 120 families with approximately 285 communicants and a flourishing Sunday school.

A beautiful crucifix for the altar, sculpted by the Italian artist Aldo Tambolini, was presented to the church by Roy and Dorothy Thompson. The sculptor was on the Notre Dame faculty and worked under the renowned artist and sculptor Ivan Maestrovik.The crucifix now hangs on the wall over the main staircase at our new location. We are fortunate to have this exquisite piece of art at St. Michael’s. In addition, parishioners came together and purchased stained glass windows to beautify the walls of the church. The donors’ names are recorded on a plaque near the side altar. These windows are now in the narthex of our new church and are a reminder of our first place of worship. We also have an exquisite stained glass picture of Jesus that is in the window wall behind the baptismal font (see picture above on the right). It is from a church in Burgundy, France and dates back to the 16^th century. It was donated to St. Michael’s by Robin and Laurie Douglass.

A building fund for a new church was established in 1966 with $10 from the operating fund, but it was not until 1975 that the vestry actually established a building committee. For over 15 years of ups and downs, the parishioners of St. Michael’s faithfully pursued the dream of a new church building. However, it was not until 1992 that a revitalized building committee finally began to make the desire for a new worship space a reality.

Groundbreaking for the new church took place early in September 1996. Ironically, the new church would be built on Ironwood Drive, just two miles north of the old location, just south of the Indiana Toll Road and north of Douglas Road. It stands on the crest of beautifully landscaped rolling grounds and is clearly visible from a long distance. The first services were held on September 14, 1997, and the dedication took place October 19, 1997. Two years later, Dr. Cornelius Browne dedicated a new Rogers electronic organ to St. Michael’s which was customized for St. Michael’s sanctuary. It provides a wonderful pipe organ sound and can produce over 350 other sounds.

In 1999 work began on the lower level or undercroft of the church. In keeping with our commitment to making the church accessible to everyone, an elevator was installed. Also, new classrooms, restrooms, a choir room, a side altar and a restaurant sized kitchen were completed. This outstanding space will enable us to grow numerically and spiritually.

Finally, a beautiful memorial garden and columbarium were constructed on the south side of the church. In the middle of the garden stands a bronze sculpture of St. Michael with sword in hand and arms folded, guarding the departed souls. Ryan Brown, an artist and member of the church, designed the sculpture in memory of his sister Kelly who was killed in an automobile accident. It was dedicated to St. Michael’s by his parents Adrian and Sandra Stackhouse. In the summer, occasional church services are held in this inspiring setting.

History