Debt, Attendance Cause Merger of Two Catholic Churches in Wyandotte

Catholic churches Our Lady of Mount Carmel and St. Stanislaus Kostko are set to become one parish.
The two Wyandotte churches are expected to complete a merger by July 1.
Debt and reduced attendance at St. Stanislaus contributed to the decision to merge. St. Stanislaus owes over $583,000 to the Arch Diocese of Detroit, after authorizing construction on a new gymnasium and offices in 2001 at the church located at 266 Antoine Street.
Over the past 12 years nearly 500 families have left St. Stanislaus, which translates to significant pledge dollars lost.
Church officials and parishioners selected from both churches made the final decision to merge early this year.
Finances of both churches were combined to form a new parish, which will be led by a new reverend at Mount Carmel.
Father Walter Ptak will be relocated to Cyril & Methodius in Orchard Lake. Taking over for Ptak is Rev. Richard Philiporski.
Both churches are expected to remain open and in use, to provide two worship sites.
Parishioner Debbie Bloomfield said she anticipates the, eventual, closure of St. Stanislaus.
“The Arch Diocese doesn’t want to close a parish,” Bloomfield said. “But, will leave it up to the merging parishes to close a building.”
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