Blessed Sacrament

Welcome & About Blessed Sacrament Parish

Blessed Sacrament Parish is a Roman Catholic community serving the city of Allegan, Michigan, and surrounding areas in Allegan County. A mission station as early as 1907, the parish was formally established in 1934 by Bishop M.J. Gallagher of Detroit and today belongs to the Diocese of Kalamazoo. The parish describes itself as a fellowship of believers, made in God's image and called as disciples of Christ to share the Good News through learning, listening, praying and working together.

Our History

Catholic life in Allegan began as a mission of St. Margaret's Parish in Otsego in 1907, when Fr. Henry O'Neil offered the first Mass in the G.A.R. Hall above Wise Grocery on Locust Street to just three people. After years of Mass being celebrated in a remodeled wooden chapel known as the Church of the Holy Sacrament, Blessed Sacrament was constituted as its own parish in October 1934. Fr. James A. Callahan became the first resident pastor and oversaw construction of the present brick church, completed in 1935. The school opened in 1955 and ran until 1966. The parish now partners closely with St. Margaret in Otsego under a shared pastoral collaborative.

• 1907 — First Mass offered in Allegan in the G.A.R. Hall by Fr. Henry O'Neil (pastor of St. Margaret's, Otsego)
• Wooden chapel 'Church of the Holy Sacrament' established on Cedar and Trowbridge
• October 1934 — Blessed Sacrament formally established as a parish by Bishop M.J. Gallagher of Detroit
• 1937 — Fr. James A. Callahan installed as first resident pastor
• August 1935 — First Mass celebrated in the present brick church
• 1954 — Parish school built; opened September 1955 under the Sisters of St. Joseph of Nazareth, Michigan
• 1956 — Allegan County Catholic Credit Union organized with Blessed Sacrament and Sacred Heart
• 1966 — Parish school closed due to shortage of teaching sisters
• 1967 — Total Religious Education Program launched by Fr. Donald Weber
• 1968–69 — Three Cursillo weekends hosted at the parish

Parish Staff & Clergy

The parish is led today by Rev. Fr. Simon Manjooran, whose Installation Mass is featured on the parish website. He is assisted by Deacon Brian G. Willshire, who was appointed by Bishop Edward M. Lohse effective November 1, 2024 to assist with diaconal ministry at Blessed Sacrament and other parishes in the collaborative. Parish office staff include a Director of Adult Religious Education (Sheila Clearwater) and a Director of Children's Education (Maria Vandermeer). The parish office is open Monday through Thursday, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm, and closed on Friday.

• Pastor: Rev. Fr. Simon Manjooran ([email protected])
• Deacon Brian G. Willshire
• Director of Adult Religious Ed: Sheila Clearwater
• Director of Children's Ed: Maria Vandermeer
• Parish office phone: (269) 673-4455
• Parish office email: [email protected]

Parish Ministries & Organizations

Blessed Sacrament is sustained by a wide circle of lay ministries. The Council of Catholic Women (CCW) — with its three Circles of Our Lady of Good Counsel, Queen of Peace, and Most Holy Rosary — is one of the most active groups, running the annual November Bazaar, the Christmas Giving Tree, pie-making and sales, scholarships for senior graduates, gifts for First Communicants and Confirmation students, support for altar needs, funeral luncheons, and assistance with the Knights of Columbus Fish Fry. The Good Samaritans (a St. Vincent de Paul outreach) ministers to those in need, and the Knights of Columbus hosts the annual Fish Fry. A new peer-led cancer support group began meeting every other Tuesday starting June 2, 2026.

• Council of Catholic Women (CCW): 3 Circles — Our Lady of Good Counsel, Queen of Peace, Most Holy Rosary
• CCW President: Michelle Krcatovich ([email protected])
• Good Samaritans / St. Vincent de Paul Society
• Knights of Columbus (annual Fish Fry)
• Cancer Support Group (begun June 2026, every other Tuesday 6 pm)
• Adult Religious Education
• Children's Religious Education
• Liturgical ministries (lectors, altar servers, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion)

Sacraments & Faith Formation

The parish prepares parishioners for the sacraments of Baptism, First Holy Communion, Confirmation, and Matrimony. Adult faith formation (RCIA inquiry and ongoing study) is coordinated through the Office of Adult Religious Education, and children's faith formation is led by the Director of Children's Education. The Council of Catholic Women marks these milestones with gifts to First Communicants and Confirmation candidates.

• Baptism
• First Holy Communion
• Confirmation (adult Confirmation classes also offered)
• Matrimony
• Anointing of the Sick
• Funeral Masses and funeral luncheons

Stewardship & Diocesan Appeal

Each year the parish participates in the Bishop's Annual Appeal, supporting diocesan-wide educational, pastoral, and religious programs that individual parishes could not sustain on their own. The parish's stated goal is 100% participation. The parish has historically been a co-founder of local Catholic institutions, including the Allegan County Catholic Credit Union organized in 1956.

• Bishop's Annual Appeal (Diocese of Kalamazoo)
• Parish goal: 100% participation
• Annual Bazaar (November) — Council of Catholic Women
• Christmas Giving Tree
• Allegan County Catholic Credit Union (co-founded 1956)

Getting Involved & Contact

Parishioners and visitors are warmly invited to attend Mass, spend time in adoration, and join any of the parish's ministries. The parish office is located at 110 Cedar Street, Allegan, MI 49010, and is open Monday through Thursday from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm (closed Friday). The current pastor is also listed as a contributor on Relevant Radio's 'Father Simon Says' series.

• Parish office: 110 Cedar Street, Allegan, MI 49010
• Phone: (269) 673-4455
• Office email: [email protected]
• Fr. Simon email: [email protected]
• Office hours: Mon–Thu 10 am–3 pm (closed Friday)
• St. Edward's Hall: on-site hall used for parish brunches and gatherings