Kolping Park and Chapel facts for kids
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Kolping Park and Chapel
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 Location in Michigan
Location in the United States
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| Location | 47275 Sugarbush Rd. (park) and 47440 Sugarbush Rd. (chapel), Chesterfield Township, Michigan |
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| Built | 1932 |
| Architect | Rev. Father Joseph Wuest |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 96001417 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 09, 1985 |
The Kolping Park and Chapel is a special religious place. It used to be at 47440 Sugarbush Road in Chesterfield Township, Michigan. This site was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985. It was also named a Michigan State Historic Site in 1996.
On September 28, 2016, the chapel was carefully moved. It now sits at the Chesterfield Historical Village. This new home is at 47275 Sugarbush Road.
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History of Kolping Park and Chapel
In 1849, a man named Adolph Kolping started a group. It was a Catholic association for young workers. This group grew into what we know today as the Kolping Society. The society helps its members learn and grow through different activities.
In 1926, Father Joseph Wuest started a local chapter of the society in Detroit. He used to be a bricklayer. In 1929, the Detroit chapter bought the land that became Kolping Park. Members of the society worked hard to clear the land. They planted trees and built several small buildings.
In 1932, Father Wuest designed and built the chapel. He built it right there on the park land. The Detroit branch of the Kolping Society of America still owns the property today.
In 2015, the Kolping Society decided to sell the park land. They kindly gave the Kolping Chapel to the Chesterfield Township Historical Society. On September 28, 2016, the chapel was moved. It traveled down Sugarbush Road to its new home. Now, it is a part of the Chesterfield Township Historical Village.
About Father Joseph Wuest
Father Joseph Wuest was born in Nassau, Germany, on July 7, 1869. He went to school in Thalheim. He continued his studies in Mesnières-en-Bray and Langonnet. He finished his studies in 1896.
He became a professor at Knechtsteden. In 1899, he moved to the United States. He worked as an assistant pastor in Sharpsburg, Pennsylvania. From 1902 to 1907, Father Wuest served as a chaplain in a hospital. In 1907, he became the main pastor of St. Mary's church in Detroit.
Father Wuest immediately began helping German immigrant families. In 1911, he also reached out to African American families. He was one of the first white church leaders to do this.
Father Wuest started the local Kolping Society chapter in 1926. But in 1929, he had to retire as pastor of St. Mary's due to poor health. He still heard confessions, though. Father Wuest passed away in July 1958.
Kolping Park and Chapel Features
Kolping Park is a large piece of land, about 19 acres. It is shaped like a rectangle. It stretches from Sugarbush Road all the way to the Vase River. The park has the historic Kolping Chapel. It also has a special shrine dedicated to Blessed Father Adolph Kolping.
The park grounds include many other features. There is a pavilion, a dance hall, and a rifle range. You can also find a picnic shelter, parade grounds, and a playground. There's a soccer field and a parking lot, all on nicely kept grounds.
The chapel itself is built in the Gothic Revival style. Father Joseph Wuest designed and built it himself. He wanted it to look like the small chapels found along roadsides in Europe. The chapel is unique because it's made from stones and shells. These were sent to Father Wuest by Kolping societies from all over the world. Inside, Father Wuest placed a plaque. It says, "Honor by means of untiring work."
Many Kolping Society members helped design the park's landscaping. They also helped build several of the structures. Some of these members included Vincent Schultes, Joseph Schultes, Wendel Schultes, and Frank Foster.
Gallery
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Side view of chapel
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Kolping Chapel on its current site in the Chesterfield Historical Village
