Bishop Michael James Gallagher had chosen Father Dwan to start a new parish in the rapidly growing Grand River-Livernois area. At the intersection of these two avenues, he stopped. There stood a weather-beaten and empty roadhouse. Although built for a far different purpose, it looked of adequate size and construction to serve as a temporary church.
A ROADHOUSE ACQUIRED
The owner of the roadhouse was reluctant to rent it to Father Dwan. He thought it unsuited for the purpose, and was unwilling to incur any expense for its restoration. Moreover, he was anxious to sell the place. After some persuasion he agreed to rent it until he could find a purchaser. Father Dwan said he would take it as it was and asked his price. The owner declined to take any remuneration until they were established. If they had anything over he would charge seventy-five dollars - a month. This price was accepted and paid.
With the help of generous men and women who painted, cleaned and scrubbed it into some semblance of propriety, the place was made ready. An Altar was erected in the large room to the left on the lower floor. Two small rooms on the right were made to serve as confessional and sacristy. There was an office under the archway and a cupboard to be used as a vestment case.
"Beautifully, From His Heart."
On Sunday, May 15th, Father Dwan offered the Holy Sacrifice at the roadhouse for some two-hundred and fifty persons who crowded the "nave," overflowed into the sacristy, or stood bareheaded on the long porch of the building. When he turned to talk to them after the Gospel, he spoke simply and beautifully from his heart. He caught them up in this new cause, and imbued them with a fervor of the accomplishment they were never to lose. He told them how very much there was to do, and filled them with a whole-hearted desire to do it.
The growth of the parish was exceptional. New subdivisions opening up in the neighborhood gave great impetus to St. Cecilia's. Before the year was over, one and one-half acres on Stoepel between Burlington (now Stearns) and Burlingame were purchased and plans were drawn for a two-story brick building to be used as a church and parish hall.
It was on December 21st of 1921 that Father Dwan was officially appointed first pastor to the new parish of St. Cecilia By Bishop Gallagher.
Continued
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