The idea of ice churches being built in eastern Europe sparked a light in 2015 among the students of the St. Albert the Great University Parish at Michigan Tech. This tradition came alive again in winter 2018 when the students, led by Fr. Ben Hasse, built the biggest ice chapel since the tradition began. The chapel is named the Chapel of Our Lady of the Snows, and construction began on Jan. 17.
At 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 9, the third Ice Mass was led by Fr. Hasse and concelebrated by three visiting priests. The Mass was followed by feasting on 40 gallons of meatless chili soup in the Parish Hall. There were other Masses in the Ice Chapel by candlelight at 10 p.m., and at 10 a.m. the next morning.
Fr. Hasse thanked those who volunteered to build the 2018 chapel and also praised the attendants for “bracing the weather and coming out to celebrate”. Speaking to the Catholic News Agency in 2016 about the motivation for carrying on this tradition, Fr. Hasse stated that “building a snow chapel seemed like a really good way to get people thinking about God and the Eucharist and the Church in the midst of winter”. He also said, “It was hard work, it was a lot of fun, and I hope it contributes to outreach and evangelization here in Houghton.”
The 2016 attendance was a little more than 140 people. About 280 people attended the Mass in 2017. According to Fr. Hasse, 2018 recorded “over 400 total between the three Masses. We had our biggest involvement ever in the building. Over 40 people just at our first big workbee… and built our biggest Ice Chapel yet! Also, we had a bell tower and four stained ice windows. It was a great year!”
St. Albert the Great University Parish started as Newman Club in May 1946 by Fr. Arnold Thompson. Fr. William McGee became its full-time chaplain in June 1958. On May 3, 1964, the current church was dedicated by Bishop Thomas Noa. Since its establishment, the parish has produced one bishop, 16 diocesan priests, one religious sister, one religious brother and three missionaries of the Fellowship of Catholic University Students. Fr. Hasse, the current pastor, joined the parish in 2013.
