Posts | Saint Stephen Byzantine Catholic Church

Our Founding Pastor & Hierarch

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)

Parish History

November 16, 2023 By Fr. John R.P. Russell Leave a Comment

June 20, 1930 – 12 men met to organize a new church.

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.