About Cathedral Mary of the Assumption · Saginaw, Michigan
The Cathedral of Mary of the Assumption (also known as St. Mary's Cathedral) is the mother church and seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saginaw in Saginaw, Michigan. Built from 1901 to 1903 in a traditional Gothic style, it is the third church structure to serve the parish of St. Mary on Saginaw's east side, founded in 1853. Designated as the cathedral when the Diocese of Saginaw was created by Pope Pius XI on February 26, 1938, it underwent a $4.7 million complete renovation in 2016–2017 under Bishop Joseph Cistone that reconfigured the sanctuary and added a marble altar, ambo, font, wooden cathedra, new pews, and accessibility upgrades. Listed as a contributing property of the Saginaw Central City Historic Residential District on the National Register of Historic Places since 1979, it seats about 500 people and continues to serve as the liturgical and civic heart of the diocese covering 6,955 square miles across eleven counties.
- Established
- 1853
- Patron
- Our Lady of the Assumption (Blessed Virgin Mary)
- Rector
- Most Rev. Robert D. Gruss (Diocesan Bishop, Pastor); Rev. Adam P. Maher (Rector). Effective July 1, 2026, Rev. Andrew LaFramboise is appointed Rector.
- Diocese
- Diocese of Saginaw
Why belong here
As the mother church of the Diocese of Saginaw, the Cathedral of Mary of the Assumption offers Catholics across the Great Lakes Bay region a historic and liturgically central place to worship, with Sunday Masses at 10:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. and weekday Masses (Monday at St. Dominic Chapel at 6:45 a.m.; Tuesday–Saturday in the Cathedral at 8:00 a.m.), plus Tuesday Eucharistic Adoration from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday confessions from 1–3 p.m. The parish runs faith formation (Director of Religious Education), music ministry under a Religious Sisters of Mercy director, a finance and pastoral council, and outreach through tenants such as the Cathedral Mental Health Clinic and Abortion Alternatives Inc. housed on the campus. Its newly renovated, accessible sanctuary, livestreamed Masses, and landmark Gothic structure make it a welcoming gathering point for visitors, students at nearby SVSU and Nouvel Catholic Central, and anyone seeking the diocese's principal seat of worship.
Mass times at Cathedral Mary of the Assumption
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. (Private Reconciliation)
Adoration times
- Tuesday 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
About the Cathedral of Mary of the Assumption
The Cathedral of Mary of the Assumption, also known as St. Mary's Cathedral, is the seat (mother church) of the Diocese of Saginaw. Built from 1901 to 1903 in traditional Gothic style, it is the third church building to serve the parish of St. Mary on Saginaw's east side, which was founded in 1853. When the Diocese of Saginaw was established by Pope Pius XI on February 26, 1938, St. Mary's was selected as its cathedral, and the first Bishop of Saginaw, Most Rev. William Murphy, dedicated the diocese under the patronage of Mary of the Assumption.
- Third church building on the site, dedicated July 23, 1903
- Selected as cathedral of the new Diocese of Saginaw, 1938
- Mother church of the diocese for more than 85 years
History of St. Mary's Parish and Cathedral
St. Mary's parish was founded in 1853 by the Rev. Henry J.H. Schutjes as a mission of St. Joseph parish in Bay City. The first church was dedicated that year and the second was built about a decade later. In 1866 it became a parish under its first pastor, Rev. Francis T. Van der Bom. Construction on the present-day cathedral began in 1901 and was completed and dedicated on July 23, 1903. After 1938, when the diocese was established, the cathedral underwent major renovations in 1941, 1978, 2000, and 2016–2017. In 1979 it became a contributing property in the Saginaw Central City Historic Residential District on the National Register of Historic Places.
- 1853 — Parish founded as a mission by Rev. Henry J.H. Schutjes
- 1866 — Parish established, Rev. Francis T. Van der Bom first pastor
- 1868 — First two-room schoolhouse opens
- 1874 — St. Mary's Hospital organized with Daughters of Charity
- 1878 — St. Mary Academy built
- 1903 — Present cathedral dedicated (July 23, 1903)
- 1938 — Cathedral designated for the new Diocese of Saginaw
- 1941, 1978, 2000 — Major renovations
- 2017 — $4.7 million renovation completed under Bishop Cistone
2016–2017 Renovation
In February 2017 the cathedral closed for a $4.7 million, nine-month comprehensive renovation—the most extensive in decades. The interior was reconfigured, with a new marble altar, ambo, and baptismal font installed; new wooden cathedra (bishop's chair) and pews replaced the movable chairs; an addition was built for handicapped-accessible restrooms; and the 1930 Kilgen pipe organ (originally from St. Joseph's, Bay City) was rebuilt by Lauck Pipe Organ Co. of Otsego. During the closure, Sunday Masses were held at St. Andrew's Church. An open house on May 7, 2017, drew hundreds of visitors, followed by a dedication Mass.
- New marble altar, ambo, baptismal font
- New wooden cathedra and pews
- Handicapped-accessible restrooms added
- 1930 Kilgen organ rebuilt by Lauck Pipe Organ Co.
Architecture and Artifacts
The cathedral is built in a traditional Gothic style with brick walls. Its most significant historical feature is its 1930 Kilgen pipe organ (originally from St. Joseph's Church in Bay City, Michigan), rebuilt by the Lauck Pipe Organ Co. of Otsego. It contains about 30 ranks and roughly 1,800 pipes, two consoles with three manuals each, and a pedalboard. The 1875 two-story brick Châteauesque-style rectory is also part of the cathedral campus. The cathedral has a seating capacity of approximately 500 people.
- Traditional Gothic style
- 1930 Kilgen pipe organ (rebuilt by Lauck Pipe Organ Co.)
- ~1,800 pipes across 30 ranks; two consoles, three manuals each
- Seating capacity ~500
- 1875 Châteauesque-style rectory on campus
Parish Leadership and Staff
The cathedral is pastored by the Bishop of Saginaw, currently Most Rev. Robert D. Gruss (the seventh Bishop of Saginaw), with Rev. Adam P. Maher serving as Rector. Effective July 1, 2026, Rev. Andrew LaFramboise is appointed Rector, and Fr. Maher is reassigned as Parochial Vicar of Sacred Heart Parish and St. Mary University Parish in Mount Pleasant. Deacon Hugh LeFevre assists at the cathedral.
- Most Rev. Robert D. Gruss — Bishop / Pastor
- Rev. Adam P. Maher — Rector (until July 2026)
- Rev. Andrew LaFramboise — incoming Rector (effective July 1, 2026)
- Dcn. Hugh LeFevre — Deacon
Parish Staff and Councils
Operational leadership of the cathedral parish is carried out by an Office Professional, Parish Manager from the Religious Sisters of Mercy, Bookkeeper, Director of Religious Education, Director of Music, and Parish Maintenance, along with lay-led Pastoral and Finance Councils.
- Joylynn Rasmussen — Office Professional
- Religious Sisters of Mercy — Parish Manager
- Mary Vogelpohl — Bookkeeper
- Hope Villandre — Director of Religious Education
- Sr. Andrea Marie Lee, RSM — Director of Music
- Dave Beckrow — Parish Maintenance
- Dan Fitzpatrick — Pastoral Council Chair
- Margaret Maday Dziuban — Finance Council Chair
Parish Ministries
The cathedral runs a robust slate of ministries typical of a diocesan mother church: Faith Formation/Religious Education under a dedicated DRE, a music ministry led by a Religious Sisters of Mercy director, a Tuesday Eucharistic Adoration program, Saturday Confessions, lay Pastoral and Finance Councils, and sacramental preparation. Outreach is supported through on-campus tenants such as the Cathedral Mental Health Clinic and Abortion Alternatives Inc.
- Religious Education / Faith Formation
- Music Ministry
- Pastoral Council
- Finance Council
- Eucharistic Adoration (Tuesdays)
- Sacramental preparation
- Outreach through on-campus ministries (Mental Health Clinic, Abortion Alternatives)
Sacraments
Confession is offered privately Saturday afternoons. Daily and Sunday Masses provide the Eucharist. Baptisms, weddings, and anointing of the sick are arranged through the parish office during weekday office hours (Monday–Thursday, 10:00 a.m.–2:30 p.m.).
- Reconciliation: Saturday 1:00–3:00 p.m.
- Eucharist: Sunday 10:30 a.m. & 5:00 p.m.; Mon 6:45 a.m.; Tue–Sat 8:00 a.m.
- Baptism, Marriage, Anointing of the Sick: by appointment via parish office
Cathedral Campus and Outreach
Beyond the sanctuary itself, the cathedral campus includes St. Dominic Chapel (a day chapel), the 1875 Châteauesque rectory, and a renovated former convent that since 2008 has housed the parish offices together with the Cathedral Mental Health Clinic and Abortion Alternatives Inc. — making the campus a hub of both liturgical and charitable activity for the diocese.
- St. Dominic Chapel — day chapel
- 1875 Châteauesque rectory
- Renovated former convent: parish offices, Mental Health Clinic, Abortion Alternatives Inc.
- Side parking lot with elevator/covered entrance (added 1978, 2000)
Diocese of Saginaw
The Diocese of Saginaw was established February 26, 1938 by Pope Pius XI, carved from portions of the Diocese of Grand Rapids and the Archdiocese of Detroit. The first Bishop, Most Rev. William Murphy, dedicated the diocese under the patronage of Mary of the Assumption. Today it covers 6,955 square miles across eleven counties (Arenac, Bay, Clare, Gladwin, Gratiot, Huron, Isabella, Midland, Sanilac, Saginaw, and Tuscola). Bishop Robert D. Gruss is the seventh Bishop of Saginaw.
- Established February 26, 1938, by Pope Pius XI
- First Bishop: Most Rev. William Murphy
- Sixth Bishop: Most Rev. Joseph R. Cistone (installed 2009, oversaw 2017 renovation)
- Seventh Bishop: Most Rev. Robert D. Gruss
Visiting the Cathedral
The cathedral is in the historic central city of Saginaw, on the east side, within the National Register-listed Saginaw Central City Historic Residential District. Parish office hours are Monday–Thursday, 10:00 a.m.–2:30 p.m. Visitors are welcome at all scheduled Masses, with the Sunday 10:30 a.m. Mass also livestreamed. Accessibility is provided via a covered side entrance, elevator, and handicapped-accessible restrooms added in the 2017 renovation. Parking is available in the side lot.
- Office hours: Mon–Thu 10:00 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
- Accessible side entrance, elevator, restrooms (2017 renovation)
- Side parking lot
- Sunday Mass livestream via Diocese of Saginaw
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Henry J.H. Schutjes1853 (founder, mission priest)
Founded St. Mary's as a mission of St. Joseph parish in Bay City in 1853.
- Rev. Francis T. Van der Bom1866–
First pastor when St. Mary's became a parish in 1866; co-organized St. Mary's Hospital in 1874.
- Rev. Michael Daltonserved until 1913 (death)
Second pastor; eulogized by a Saginaw reporter in 1913 as the priest whose life the cathedral-like building stands as a monument to.
