St. Casimir Church at 10075 M-65 North, P.O. Box 217, Posen, MI 49776 US - Our Parish History

In 1870, Polish settlers began arriving in the Posen area. These pioneers brought with them a determined and courageous spirit, and their strong Roman Catholic faith that is an integral part of the Polish heritage. Thus equipped, they were ready to meet the challenges of life in a strange land. The first priest assigned to these Polish immigrants was the Jesuit, Fr.Szulak, who came to Posen twice a year from 1874-1879. In 1879, under his direction, the first church building, constructed from logs, was begun. It was also in 1879 that the first pastor, Fr. Bogacki, was assigned to Posen. Seven years later, in 1886, a school was begun, and was initially staffed by the Felician Sisters. The Sisters of Mercy administered and taught in the school from 1919 until 1984. Over the years, many changes occurred in the area, and in the life of the parish, but there was one constant -- the tremendous faith of the people. Moving forward, the year 1971 was to be a memorable one for the people of St. Casimir Parish. Not only was it the year of its incorporation into the newly created Diocese of Gaylord, but it was also the year that ground was broken for the construction of a new church building under the direction of Fr. Clarence Smolinski. As always, the people responded in faith, and with aditional sacrifices to build this new place of worship. On June 25, 1972, the new church building was dedicated by Bishop Edmund C. Szoka, and continues to provide the people of St. Casimir Parish with a "house of prayer," From 1980 to the present, Fr. Ray Mulka (1980-1989), Fr. Gerald Micketti (1989-1992), and Fr. Stan Bereda (1992-present), have provided pastoral leadership in a time when lay ministry continues to evolve and flourish. This is evident in the increased lay participation in the active parish councils and commissions, and in an expanding religious education program as well as the Youth Ministry program which has served the junior and senior high students since late 1992. As we begin the third millennium, we look back on all that has been accomplished, and look forward to the continuation of a long tradition of worshiping the Almighty, sharing His Word, and co-building God's Kingdom. While the challenges of the future will most assuredly be different than those faced in the infancy of St. Casimir Parish, the example and faith of our ancestors will sustain us in our mission into the 21st century.

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