About Basilica of Saint Adalbert · Grand Rapids, Michigan
The Basilica of St. Adalbert is a Roman Catholic minor basilica in Grand Rapids, Michigan, founded in 1881 by Polish immigrants of the Saint Adalbert Aid Society and dedicated to St. Adalbert of Prague. Located in Grand Rapids' historic Polish 'Wojciechowo' neighborhood, it is one of the very few basilicas in the United States and the first parish in Michigan to be solemnly dedicated to this rank when it was elevated by Pope John Paul II in 1979 and formally celebrated at the parish centennial on February 16, 1980. The Romanesque Revival church, built between 1907 and 1913, remains one of the tallest buildings in the city thanks to its twin 134-foot towers and 150-foot central dome. Today it operates in a pastoral cluster with St. Mary Parish, Grand Rapids, and is home to an active program of Eucharistic devotion (Cor Jesu), the Society of St. Vincent de Paul conference, and bilingual faith formation.
- Established
- 1881
- Patron
- St. Adalbert of Prague (c. 956 – April 23, 997), bishop, martyr, and Patron of Poland
- Rector
- Rev. Kyle J. Kilpatrick
- Diocese
- Catholic Diocese of Grand Rapids
Why belong here
St. Adalbert is one of the oldest Polish-American parishes west of the Atlantic and a true landmark of Grand Rapids — both visually (it is still one of the tallest buildings in the city) and spiritually. Worshippers find a fully traditional Catholic sacramental life, including weekday and weekend Masses, daily availability of Confession, a monthly Cor Jesu First-Friday evening of Eucharistic adoration and reconciliation that draws Catholics from across the diocese, and bilingual faith formation for children and adults. Outreach is hands-on through the parish's own St. Vincent de Paul conference, which visits neighbors in need directly, and the parish is currently building a combined parish activity center with St. Mary. For those who value Catholic heritage, beautiful sacred art, and an engaged, multigenerational community clustered with neighboring parishes, St. Adalbert is a place to put down roots.
Mass times at Basilica of Saint Adalbert
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday 4:00–5:00 pm
- Thursday 4:00–5:00 pm
- Saturday 2:30–3:30 pm
- First Fridays of the month 7:00–9:00 pm during Cor Jesu
- By appointment
Adoration times
- Lenten Holy Hour: every morning during Lent from 7:00–8:00 am in the church
- First Fridays of the month during Cor Jesu (7:00–9:00 pm with Exposition, Sacred Music, Confession, and Solemn Benediction)
Our History
St. Adalbert Parish traces its life to 1872, when Polish immigrants in Grand Rapids formed the Saint Adalbert Aid Society to help newcomers settle in the city. The Society purchased two lots at Fourth Street and Davis Avenue NW in 1880, and construction of a small wooden church began in June 1881. The frame structure was enlarged in 1891, and in 1892 the Society built the meeting hall that is still in use. The present Romanesque Revival church was designed by Henry J. Harks of Cleveland and built by the Andrews Brothers Company of Cleveland under Grand Rapids architect Chris Vierheilig's supervision between 1907 and 1913; the original wooden church was moved to Belmont, Michigan to become Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish. Monsignor Thaddeus R. Sniegowski's centennial history 'The First 100 Years' (1981) preserves the detailed story, and the parish continues to mark key anniversaries.
- 1872 — Saint Adalbert Aid Society organized
- 1880 — Two lots purchased at 4th Street and Davis Ave NW
- 1881 — Small wooden church begun (parish founding)
- 1891 — Wooden church enlarged
- 1892 — Society meeting hall built (still in use)
- 1907 — Cornerstone laid for the present church (Aug 18)
- 1913 — Current church completed (~$150,000)
- 1979 — Elevated to Minor Basilica by Pope John Paul II
- 1980 — Solemn basilica dedication, Feb 16
- 2012 — Parish reestablished after merger with St. James
Architecture & Art
The basilica is a Romanesque Revival edifice in Sandusky limestone with Bedford limestone trim. Twin towers (134 ft) flank the façade beneath a Byzantine-influenced dome that rises to about 150 feet, with a large Gothic rose window between them. The interior follows the standard minor-basilica arrangement of altar set before an apse and a baldachino supported on four pillars. A. Artmaier designed the stained glass made by Munich craftsmen; Edmund Verlinden carved the altars, pulpit, baptismal font, and confessionals; the original communion rail was topped with Georgia marble; and the pews were built by the American Seating Company of Grand Rapids.
- Architect: Henry J. Harks (Cleveland, OH)
- Supervising architect: Chris Vierheilig (Grand Rapids)
- Builder: Andrews Brothers Company (Cleveland, OH)
- Exterior: Sandusky limestone walls, Bedford limestone trim
- Towers: 134 ft; dome: 150 ft
- Stained glass: A. Artmaier, Munich craftsmen
- Furnishings: Edmund Verlinden (altars, pulpit, font, confessionals)
- Pews: American Seating Company, Grand Rapids
Liturgical Ministries
Lay faithful serve the parish in a full range of liturgical roles, coordinated through the Director of Liturgy & Worship. Volunteers are needed especially for the monthly First-Friday Cor Jesu devotion, which draws Catholics from many parishes and requires hospitality greeters, confession-line coordinators, altar servers for Exposition and Solemn Benediction, and setup/cleanup crews.
- Altar Servers (after First Communion)
- Ushers/Greeters (men, women, families)
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (EMHCs, age 18+, fully initiated)
- Lectors (age 16+, fully initiated)
- Sacristans
- Cor Jesu Volunteers
Faith Formation
Youth Faith Formation meets Sundays at 10:30 am in the Basilica Activity Center (654 Davis Ave NW) and begins each fall after a parents-only course-information meeting. A shared 'Becoming Catholic' process for adults — including those returning to the Church — runs through the parish office and is coordinated with the cluster partner St. Mary Parish.
- Youth Faith Formation (grades K–8): Sundays at 10:30 am in the Activity Center
- Course info meeting for parents (annual, typically September)
- Adult Faith Formation inquiry
- Becoming Catholic / RCIA — call the Parish Office: (616) 458-3065
- Registration / contact: Luis Anleu, (616) 710-1361, [email protected]
Community Outreach & Service
The parish's principal outreach is its Saint Vincent de Paul Conference, a lay Catholic person-to-person ministry serving neighbors facing poverty and housing insecurity in the parish and surrounding neighborhood. Members work in pairs to visit those who request help, providing both material assistance (utility bills, rent, eviction prevention) and spiritual support, and connecting families with critical community resources.
- Society of St. Vincent de Paul Conference (meets monthly)
- Direct home visits in pairs to neighbors requesting help
- Rent and utility assistance to prevent eviction/shut-offs
- Donations accepted via Online Giving (select 'St. Vincent de Paul' fund) or envelopes at the back of the Basilica
- Contact: (616) 278-1161 or [email protected]
Devotions & Special Events
The Basilica's signature devotion is Cor Jesu — a First-Friday evening of Eucharistic Exposition, Sacred Music, the Sacrament of Penance, and Solemn Benediction in honor of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, open to Catholics from across the diocese. During Lent, the parish adds a daily morning Holy Hour of Adoration from 7:00 to 8:00 am. Additional evenings of Adoration and Confession are scheduled through the year.
- Cor Jesu (First Fridays, ~7:00–9:00 pm)
- Lenten Holy Hour (daily, 7:00–8:00 am)
- Evening Adoration and Confession events (per bulletin)
- Mom's Group (monthly)
Staff & Clergy
The parish is led by a pastor who is appointed by the Bishop of Grand Rapids; currently the Basilica is clustered with St. Mary Parish under one pastor. A director of liturgy/worship, a director of sacred music, an administrative assistant, and two permanent deacons complete the regular staff listed on the parish website.
- Rev. Kyle J. Kilpatrick — Pastor
- Deacon Lawrence Duthler
- Mr. Wassim Sarweh — Deacon
- Justin Wiltse — Director of Liturgy & Worship / Parish Life Coordinator
- Martha Bellamy — Director of Sacred Music
- Lisa Davis — Administrative Assistant
Visitor & Practical Information
The worship site is at 654 Davis Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504, and is listed as handicapped accessible by the Diocese of Grand Rapids. Office hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday 8:30 am to 4:00 pm, and Wednesdays 8:30 am to 2:00 pm. The original Saint Adalbert Aid Society meeting hall (built 1892) still stands and is in use on the grounds.
- Address: 654 Davis Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504
- Phone: 616-458-3065 • Fax: 616-458-0563
- Email: [email protected]
- Handicap accessible
- Office hours Mon/Tue/Thu/Fri 8:30 am – 4:00 pm; Wed 8:30 am – 2:00 pm
- Cluster partner: St. Mary Parish, Grand Rapids (Catholic Diocese of Grand Rapids)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Kolasinski1881–1883
Early spiritual leader; was unable to come in person but sent his blessings as the Polish community organized.
- Father Casimir Jablonowski1883–1884 (approx.)
Arrived June 1883 as a Polish exile fleeing Siberia; served about 100 families in the 'Wojciechowo' district; brief tenure of about eight months.
- Father Marion Markowski1884–1885 (approx.)
Brief tenure that 'lasted barely eight months' before he was relieved of duties by the bishop.
- Reverend Simon Ponganis1886 – transferred to Gaylord (early 20th c.)
Long-tenured pastor named in the centennial history as one of the three great leaders of the parish; voted Grand Rapids' most popular clergyman in 1901; transferred to Gaylord to a send-off of 'thousands' at Union Depot.
- Reverend Casimir Skoryearly 20th c. – 1935
Came from 'beloved Gaylord'; his 1935 death drew editorial mourning from the Grand Rapids Press; praised as 'an inspiring builder of lives' and 'student of the human heart.'
- Monsignor John A. Maksymowski20th century (mid)
Named in the parish centennial history (1981) as the third of the three great leaders, with Ponganis and Skory, who together led St. Adalbert for ~85 years.
- Msgr. Thaddeus R. ('Ted') Sniegowskiat least through 1981
Pastor at the time of the 1981 centennial; author/prolocutor of 'The First 100 Years' centennial book.
- Very Reverend Ronald D. Hutchinsonrecent / before 2024
Rector of the Basilica of St. Adalbert and pastor of St. Mary Parish, Grand Rapids, before being reassigned in 2024 to St. James Parish, Montague, Our Lady of the Assumption, Rothbury, and St. John the Baptist Mission, Claybanks.
- Reverend David J. Sacharecent / before 2024
Parochial vicar of the Basilica of St. Adalbert and St. Mary Parish, Grand Rapids, before being appointed administrator of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Muskegon.
- Rev. Kyle J. Kilpatrick2024–present
Appointed pastor of the Basilica of St. Adalbert and St. Mary Parish, Grand Rapids (announced by Bishop Walkowiak); previously pastor of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Muskegon.