+Stephen Kocisko

our founding pastor from 1941 until 1947

(pictured in Rome in 1941 on the day of his ordination)

St. Stephen was his first assignment as a pastor. 

He later became our bishop from 1967 until 1969, during which time we were a parish of the Eparchy of Pittsburgh. 

In 1969, we became a parish of the newly created Eparchy of Parma. Archbishop Stephen served as our Metropolitan from 1969 until 1990.

Our Priests

+Nicholas Repko

pastor from 1947 until 1951.

(pictured 1945)

St. Stephen was his second assignment as a priest and his first as a pastor. 

+John Kurty

pastor from 1951 until 1955

Fr. John acquired the property in Allen Park (according to local legend, in a golf game) and orchestrated the move of the parish to its present location. 

+Michael Miyo

pastor 1956

+Emil Masich

pastor from 1957 until 1981

+Frank Korba

assistant pastor from 1966 until 1967

+Stephen Veselenak, OSB

associate pastor from 1967

+Joseph Radvansky

pastor from 1981 until 1986

(pictured 1989)

+Kenneth Walsh

administrator from 1986 until 1987

(pictured 1989)

+Cyril Attak

pastor from 1987 until 2017

(pictured 1989)

Mychail Rozmarynowycz

John R.P. Russell

Our Hierarchs

+Basil (Takach)

our bishop from our founding in 1941 until 1948

At this time, we were a parish of the Apostolic Exarchate of Pittsburgh. 

+Daniel (Ivancho)

our bishop from 1948 until 1954

+Nicholas (Elko)

our bishop from 1955 until 1967.

The Exarchate of Pittsburgh was elevated to the status of an Eparchy in 1963.

+Stephen (Kocisko)

our bishop from 1967 until 1969,

during which time we were a parish of the Eparchy of Pittsburgh

In 1969, the Eparchy of Pittsburgh was elevated to the status of a Metropolitan Archeparchy, and Bishop Stephen became our Metropolitan.

That same year, we became a parish of the newly created Eparchy of Parma. 

+Emil (Mihalik)

our bishop from 1969 (founding of Eparchy of Parma) until 1984

+Andrew (Pataki)

our bishop from 1984 until 1996

+Basil (Schott)

our bishop from 1996 until 2002

John (Kudrick)

Milan (Lach)

Robert (Pipta)

September 6, 1931 – Permission granted for charter by Bishop Basil Takach.

December 20, 1931 – First recorded baptism is celebrated by Rev. M Goydich on Cicotte in Detroit, Michigan.

March, 1932 – Services held intermittently for 9 years.

May 29, 1941 – Bishop Basil Takach grants permission for a new church and charter. Founding of St. Stephen.

August 31, 1941 – The first pastor, Rev. Stephen J. Kocisko, arrives and the church property on 8345 Thaddeus St. in the Delray neighborhood of Detroit, Michigan was purchased.

March 15, 1947 – A new pastor, Rev. Nicholas Repko, arrives and the rectory was purchased on 8337 Thaddeus St.

November 6, 1951 – A new pastor, Rev. John Kurty, arrives – 4 1/2 acres of property is acquired 6 miles away in Allen Park, Michigan.

September 19, 1954 – There is a ground-breaking for a new parish church, rectory, garage, and hall, at 4141 Laurence, Allen Park, Michigan.

November 21, 1954 – The cornerstone blessing takes place.

August 14, 1955 – The church is dedicated by Bishop Nicholas T. Elko.

February 1, 1956 – A new pastor, Rev. Michael Miyo, is appointed.

May 11, 1956 – A new pastor, Rev. Emil Masich, arrives and the parish property grows to 9 1/2 acres.

June 14, 1959 – Former pastor, Bishop Stephen Kocisko, burns the mortgage with the parish family.

February 12, 1964 – There is a ground-breaking by Bishop Nicholas Elko for a new school, hall, and kitchen facilities.

June 13, 1965 – Dedication Day and the new facilities are blessed. The parish is free of debt. Stephen Balog spends the summer as the parish deacon.

April 6, 1966 – Rev. Frank Korba arrives as the first assistant pastor.

October 9, 1966 – Ground-breaking for the new rectory and office wing begins.

October 23, 1966 – Parish Silver Jubilee (25 years) Liturgy, Banquet, and Dance.

April 23, 1967 – Ordination to the Holy Priesthood of parish son Fr. Stephen Veselenak, OSB – his first solemn celebration of the liturgy on April 30.

September 15, 1967 – Rev. John Repasky arrives as associate pastor – the new rectory facilities are completed and blessed.

March 1, 1970 – Renovation and remodeling Program is started, including installing an icon screen.

May 17, 1970 – Ordination to the Holy Priesthood of parish son, Rev. Dennis Hrubiak.

April 20, 1971 – Rev. Constantine Guiness arrives as weekend assistant pastor.

June, 1977 – A young deacon from the seminary, Stephen Wasko, spends the summer.

Summer, 1981 – A new pastor arrives, Rev. Joseph Radvansky.

September, 1984 – The school building was rented to the Montessori Children’s Center.

July 7, 1986 – A new temporary administrator was assigned to the parish, Rev. Kenneth Walsh.

July, 1986 – Two area parishes were closed – Christ the King Parish, Taylor, Michigan and St. John Parish, Detroit, Michigan. All church members were invited to join St. Stephen.

August 4, 1987 – A new pastor is assigned to the parish – Rev. Cyril Attak.

1989 – A gold anodized icon screen from Christ the King Parish is installed in the church.

October 4, 1991 – The parish holds its 50th Anniversary Celebration with Liturgy and dinner/dance.

October 30, 1994 – There is a SOLEMN CONSECRATION of the church by Bishop Andrew Pataki, D.D. followed by parish dinner/dance.

1995 – A new icon screen and icons are installed in chapel. Three domes are erected on the roof of the church.

May 30, 1996 – Former pastor and retired priest Msgr. John Kurty makes his home here at St. Stephen.

October 1st, 2017 – Rev. Cyril Attak retires as pastor of St. Stephen. Rev. Mychail Rozmarynowycz is appointed temporary administrator.

July 1st, 2018 – A new administrator is assigned to the parish – Rev. John R.P. Russell.

Silver Jubilee Day at St. Stephen, 1966

Silver Sacerdotal Jubilee of the Very Reverend Nicholas J. Repko, 1970

1989 Official Directory of the Eparchy of Parma

St. Stephen Parish Directory, 1996

Obituary of Msgr Frank Korba