Revising Our Roots 

Take a trip with us down memory lane back to the turn of the century when 9 out of every 10 rural communities had no Catholic Church. Catholics in these areas struggled to practice their faith without church buildings and even priests. This dire situation drew the attention of a Lapeer priest, Father Francis Clement Kelley who founded The Catholic Church Extension Society to raise money to help support the Catholic Church in poor, remote and rural communities. This photo gallery commemorates Father Kelley and his efforts to bring the Faith to all Catholics across the United States.