About American Martyrs · Kingsford, Michigan
American Martyrs Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish located at 908 West Sagola Avenue in Kingsford, Michigan, in the Diocese of Marquette. The parish traces its origins to March 12, 1926, when Bishop Paul J. Nussbaum appointed Father Erasmus Dooley to serve the growing Catholic population drawn to Kingsford by the Ford Plant; Mass was first celebrated in the Garden Village School gymnasium. Today the parish family, led by pastor Father Greg Heikkala, worships in the church built on Sagola Avenue in the early 1940s and rebuilt into its current form in 1961, offering daily Mass, a Saturday vigil and two Sunday Masses along with faith formation, the Bishop Baraga Catholic School, and outreach to the Rio Bravo Mission in Mexico.
- Established
- 1926
- Patron
- American Martyrs (the martyrs of the United States)
- Rector
- Fr. Greg Heikkala
- Diocese
- Diocese of Marquette
Why belong here
American Martyrs is one of the most liturgically active parishes in Kingsford, offering daily Mass Monday through Friday, a Saturday vigil, and two Sunday morning Masses — a worship schedule that lets busy families and shut-ins find a time that fits. The parish runs a robust Faith Formation program and partners with Bishop Baraga Catholic School (Angela Oller, Principal) for the religious education of local children, while the Parish Council (presided over by Bill Edberg) keeps lay leadership strong. Outreach is rooted in a long-standing partnership with the Rio Bravo Mission in Mexico, where parishioners help feed poor families every Thursday of the year.
Mass times at American Martyrs
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:30 PM – 4:00 PM
- Before all daily Masses
- Anytime on request
Parish Mission and Identity
American Martyrs Parish Family's stated mission is: 'We, the faith community of American Martyrs, devote ourselves to deepen our commitment to continue the mission of Jesus Christ; to bring all to the knowledge, love, and union with God the Father through the teaching, sharing and living of our faith.' The parish has served Kingsford's Catholic community — born from the workforce drawn by the local Ford Plant — for nearly a century, and continues to identify as a welcoming parish family in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
- Parish mission statement emphasizing deepening commitment to Christ's mission.
- Located at 908 West Sagola Avenue, Kingsford, MI 49802, in Dickinson County.
- Part of the Diocese of Marquette.
History of American Martyrs Parish
American Martyrs traces its roots to March 12, 1926, when Bishop Paul J. Nussbaum appointed Father Erasmus Dooley to serve Kingsford's growing Catholic population. With no church building, Mass was first offered in the Garden Village School gymnasium. In August 1939 Father John G. Hughes became the parish's first resident pastor and began planning a permanent church. Construction began in July 1940 on the northeast corner of Sagola Avenue and Newton Street; 300 parish men volunteered their labor, saving more than $6,000. The church was dedicated on November 28, 1940. Major building milestones followed: American Martyrs School in 1948, a Permastone exterior refacing and new bell system in 1956, a new convent for the sisters in 1960, and the current church in 1961. The convent was sold in 1971 and became the Kingsford Community Medical Center (and later the Salvation Army Bread of Life Assistance Center), and the school was eventually converted into the Catholic Faith Formation Center.
- 1926: Father Erasmus Dooley appointed; Mass in Garden Village School gymnasium.
- August 1939: Father John G. Hughes named first resident pastor.
- July 1940: Construction of first permanent church begins.
- November 28, 1940: Church dedicated (300 volunteer parishioners).
- 1948: American Martyrs School built.
- 1956: Permastone exterior and new electric bell system installed.
- 1960: New convent built at 145 Roseland St.
- 1961: Current parish church built.
- 1971: Convent sold; eventually becomes Salvation Army Bread of Life Assistance Center.
- School later converted into the Catholic Faith Formation Center.
Mass and Liturgical Schedule
American Martyrs offers one of the more complete worship schedules in the area, with daily Mass Monday through Friday, a Saturday vigil, and two Sunday Masses. Confession is heard on Saturday afternoon, before every daily Mass, and by request at any time. The parish bulletin lists any changes for Holy Days and the Eve of Holy Days.
- Sunday: 8:00 AM and 10:15 AM
- Saturday Vigil: 4:15 PM
- Monday: 7:00 AM
- Tuesday: 6:30 PM
- Wednesday: 7:00 AM
- Thursday: 7:00 AM
- Friday: 8:00 AM
- Holy Days: 7:00 AM and see bulletin
- Eve of Holy Days: see bulletin
Other Sacraments
American Martyrs celebrates Baptism, Marriage, the Sacrament of the Sick, and Confirmation in accord with the published parish guidelines and the Diocese of Marquette.
- Baptism — Saturday or Sunday by appointment; parents must be registered members.
- Marriage — arrangements with the pastor at least six months in advance; pre-marital instruction in Spring or Fall.
- Sacrament of the Sick — contact the parish office for shut-ins or the hospitalized.
- Confirmation — handled through the Diocese of Marquette vicariate Confirmation Masses; American Martyrs is a host site for vicariate Confirmations.
Faith Formation and Religious Education
The parish operates a Faith Formation Office (906-774-9970; [email protected]) housed in what was once the American Martyrs School building, now the Catholic Faith Formation Center. Margaret Schmidt has served as Coordinator of Faith Formation since 2012. Religious education prepares children of the parish for the sacraments and continues the parish's century-old commitment to passing on the Catholic faith.
- Faith Formation Office: 906-774-9970
- Email: [email protected]
- Coordinator of Faith Formation: Margaret Schmidt (since 2012)
- Programs held in the converted former parish school (Faith Formation Center)
Bishop Baraga Catholic School
American Martyrs partners with Bishop Baraga Catholic School, the regional Catholic school serving the Kingsford area. Principal Angela Oller leads the school, which parents can reach at 906-774-2277 or via www.baragaup.com. The school shares the parish's commitment to forming children in faith and academics.
- Principal: Angela Oller
- Phone: 906-774-2277
- Website: www.baragaup.com
Music and Liturgy
Liturgical music at American Martyrs is led by organist Mary Lee (906-774-1546), who supports the parish's rich schedule of daily and Sunday Masses.
- Liturgical Music Organist: Mary Lee — 906-774-1546
Parish Staff and Lay Leadership
The parish is led pastorally by Father Greg Heikkala and lay-led through its Parish Council, currently presided over by Bill Edberg. The parish office can be reached at 906-774-0630 or [email protected].
- Pastor: Fr. Greg Heikkala — [email protected]
- Parish Office: 906-774-0630
- Parish Email: [email protected]
- Parish Council President: Bill Edberg — 906-282-7136
Outreach and Mission
American Martyrs has a long tradition of outreach beyond Kingsford. Under Monsignor Gouin's leadership, the parish developed an involvement with the Rio Bravo Mission in Mexico, helping feed poor families every Thursday of the year. Monsignor Gouin also helped develop the COR Weekend Retreat program for high school seniors in 1967 and continued with it for about a decade.
- Rio Bravo Mission (Mexico) — feeds poor families every Thursday.
- COR Weekend Retreat program — co-developed by Father Joe in 1967.
Parish Facilities
The parish campus at 908 West Sagola Avenue includes the church, the rectory, the Catholic Faith Formation Center (the former American Martyrs School), and Father Hughes Hall — named for the parish's first resident pastor — which serves as a gathering space for parish events.
- Rectory: 908 West Sagola Avenue
- Father Hughes Hall: 906-774-2850
- Faith Formation Center (former school)
- Faith Formation Office: 906-774-9970
Contact and Visiting
Visitors and parishioners can reach American Martyrs Catholic Church by phone at (906) 774-0630, by email at [email protected], or through the official website americanmartyrskg.org. The parish publishes a weekly bulletin with up-to-date announcements and changes to the liturgical schedule.
- Phone: (906) 774-0630
- Parish Email: [email protected]
- Website: http://www.americanmartyrskg.org
- Rectory: 908 West Sagola Avenue, Kingsford, MI 49802
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Erasmus Dooley1926–
Appointed by Bishop Paul J. Nussbaum on March 12, 1926 to serve the Catholics of Kingsford; first celebrated Mass in the Garden Village School gymnasium.
- Fr. John G. HughesAugust 1939–
Named first resident pastor; planned and oversaw construction of the first permanent church on Sagola Avenue, dedicated Nov. 28, 1940. Father Hughes Hall on the parish grounds is named in his honor.
- Rev. Msgr. Joseph O. GouinOctober 1990–c. 2022
Assigned pastor October 1990; in 1967 helped develop the COR Weekend Retreat program for high school seniors; led parish involvement in the Rio Bravo Mission in Mexico; named Monsignor in September 2022.
- Fr. Greg Heikkalacurrent
Current pastor; previously hosted diocesan Holy Tuesday services for the local clergy association.