About Holy Family · Gladstone, Michigan
Holy Family Parish is a Roman Catholic parish serving the Flat Rock–Gladstone area of Michigan's Upper Peninsula, within the Diocese of Marquette. Founded in 1906 to serve the French-Canadian farming families of the Flat Rock community who had previously traveled long distances by horse to reach Mass in Escanaba, the parish remains a small, family-rooted congregation more than a century later. Today it offers daily and weekend Mass, Confession, Eucharistic Adoration, and a robust set of lay-led ministries including the Ladies' Altar Society, the Men's Club, and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. The church is known for its distinctive rural setting on County Road 416 and its continued connection to the surrounding agricultural communities.
- Established
- 1906
- Patron
- Holy Family (Jesus, Mary, and Joseph)
- Rector
- Fr. Sebastian K. Chacko
- Diocese
- Diocese of Marquette
Why belong here
A small, family-shaped parish where the congregation has known one another for generations — Holy Family in Flat Rock invites Catholics and newcomers to a community built around the simple disciplines of the faith: daily Mass, Eucharistic Adoration on First Friday, regular Confession, and lay-led ministry through the Ladies' Altar Society, the Men's Club, and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Visitors will find a rural Upper Peninsula church known for its striking interior, a music program led by Music Director Cathy Flagstadt, and a parish mission statement rooted in imitating the Holy Family through prayer, forgiveness, Gospel formation of children, and care for the sick and needy. Families in the parish send their children to Holy Name Catholic Grade School in Escanaba, keeping Catholic education in reach.
Mass times at Holy Family
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00 pm – 3:45 pm
- Monday – Friday: 30 minutes before daily Mass
- Or by appointment
Adoration times
- First Friday: 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm (Holy Hour)
Mission & Identity
Holy Family Parish articulates a single, detailed mission statement: 'We will strive to imitate the Holy Family: by being a loving, welcoming, and forgiving community – fully alive in the Spirit of God; by teaching our children the Gospel way of life and encouraging them always to share fully in the life of our parish; by celebrating the Liturgy as a joyful remembrance of our Lord's Sacrifice for us; by being a family of prayer; by respecting all life, and by having our arms open always to embrace the sick and needy.' The parish's name — Holy Family — was bestowed by Bishop Frederick Eis himself when he formally established the parish in 1906, and the parish continues to honor that patron through its daily rhythm of prayer, formation, and outreach.
History of the Parish
The parish has a deeply documented story that stretches back more than a century. In 1905, the French-Canadian farming families of Flat Rock, tired of traveling entire days — sometimes three — by buggy and cutter to receive the sacraments at St. Anne in Escanaba, sent a delegation led by Andrew Berkman to Bishop Frederick Eis in Marquette. The bishop, himself a former missionary, granted permission on October 7, 1905, and named the new parish 'Holy Family.' Farther George Hughes donated an acre; Antoine Beauchamp donated a second acre as a cemetery. First pastor Father Adrian Deschamp said the first Mass on October 7, 1906. The brick church was destroyed by fire on March 8, 1938, but was rebuilt under Father Matthias LaViolette by Christmas Day 1940. A 1999 renovation under Father Raymond Cotter gave the church its present configuration.
- 1905: Parishioners petition Bishop Frederick Eis; permission granted October 7, 1905.
- 1906: First Mass celebrated by Father Adrian Deschamp, October 7, 1906.
- 1938: Church destroyed by fire on March 8.
- 1940: New brick church completed; first Mass offered Christmas Day.
- 1941: New church officially dedicated July 13 with 125 confirmations.
- 1948: Hammond organ purchased for $2,200.
- 1999: Major renovation reverses interior layout; elevator and gathering space added.
- 2002: Fr. Matt Hall dedicated in honor of Monsignor LaViolette.
Pastoral Team & Staff
The parish is led by a pastor and deacon, supported by a part-time parish secretary and a small roster of lay leaders on the Pastoral and Finance Councils. The faith-formation coordinator collaborates with the neighboring All Saints Catholic Church in Gladstone. Music is coordinated by Music Director Cathy Flagstadt.
- Pastor: Fr. Sebastian K. Chacko (ext. 3, [email protected])
- Deacon: Dcn. Bob Berbohm ([email protected])
- Parish Secretary: Pam Leisner (ext. 1, [email protected])
- Music Director: Cathy Flagstadt
- Faith Formation Coordinator: Chris Olesak ([email protected], 906-428-9431)
Parish Council & Finance Council
Lay leadership is shared through an active Pastoral Council (which includes Liturgy and Evangelization Committees) and a Finance Council. Council members are listed publicly on the parish website.
- Pastoral Council President: Pam Marenger
- Pastoral Council Secretary: Wanda Chenier
- Finance Council President: Piper Desy
- Finance Council members: Gerald Miron, Mary Kay Nolde, Frank Chenier
Ministries & Organizations
A strong network of lay-led groups carries out the parish's mission of prayer, fellowship, service, and outreach. The Ladies' Altar Society meets monthly in Fr. Matt Hall; the Men's Club organizes parish men; the Society of St. Vincent de Paul leads charitable outreach; and a Meal Train Ministry provides practical care for neighbors in need.
- Ladies' Altar Society — meets first Tuesday of each month, 6:30 – 8:30 pm, Fr. Matt Hall
- Men's Club — President Bob Tourangeau; Treasurer Bob Marcella
- Society of St. Vincent de Paul — President Beverly Miller; Treasurer Karen Berbohm
- Pastoral Council with Liturgy and Evangelation committees
- Finance Council
- Music Ministry — Director Cathy Flagstadt
- Meal Train Ministry — practical care for parishioners in need
Faith Formation & Sacramental Preparation
Faith formation is coordinated jointly with neighboring All Saints Catholic Church in Gladstone under Coordinator Chris Olesak. Children from the parish attend Holy Name Catholic Grade School and High School in Escanaba, and OCIA (formerly RCIA), sacramental preparation for First Eucharist, First Reconciliation, and Confirmation, and marriage preparation are organized through this collaboration.
- Holy Name Catholic Grade School (Escanaba) — contact Joe Carlson, (906) 786-7550
- Holy Name Catholic High School (Escanaba) — Mark Surrell, [email protected]
- Faith Formation Coordinator: Chris Olesak (906) 428-9431
- OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults)
- Sacramental preparation: Baptism, First Eucharist, First Reconciliation, Confirmation
- Marriage preparation
- Children's Liturgy of the Word
Sacraments
Beyond daily Mass, the parish celebrates Reconciliation several times a week, offers a First Friday Holy Hour of Adoration, and provides pastoral care including Anointing of the Sick for the sick and homebound. Baptisms, weddings, and other sacramental needs are arranged by contacting the parish office.
- Eucharist (daily and Sunday Mass)
- Reconciliation (Saturday afternoon and before weekday Mass, or by appointment)
- Anointing of the Sick
- Baptism (contact parish office)
- Marriage (contact parish office)
- First Eucharist / First Reconciliation / Confirmation (via All Saints faith formation)
Music & Liturgy
Music at Holy Family is led by Music Director Cathy Flagstadt, building on a long musical tradition that includes the original Hammond organ purchased in 1948. The Liturgy Committee of the Pastoral Council helps shape the worship experience, and the parish retains its original hand-built sanctuary furnishings: elegant oak woodwork, oil-on-copper Stations of the Cross, and stained-glass windows designed under Father Roland Dion.
- Music Director: Cathy Flagstadt
- 1948 Hammond organ (historic instrument retained in church)
- Liturgy Committee — chaired within Pastoral Council
- Eucharistic Adoration (First Friday Holy Hour)
Outreach & Charity
Outreach is a visible expression of the parish's imitation of the Holy Family. The St. Vincent de Paul Society ministers to those in need, and the Meal Train Ministry organizes practical help for parishioners during illness or family crisis. The parish also supports Holy Name Catholic Grade School and High School as primary partners in Catholic education.
- Society of St. Vincent de Paul
- Meal Train Ministry
- Care for the sick and homebound
- Diocese of Marquette annual Catholic Services Appeal participation
Buildings, Grounds & Cemetery
The parish sits on a rural site in Flat Rock along County Road 416 (20th Road). Two historic acres anchor the property: the church-and-rectory acre donated by George Hughes, and the cemetery acre donated by Antoine Beauchamp, still in use today and administered by Escanaba Township since 1946. The 1999 renovation added a gathering space, new offices, restrooms, and an elevator, while preserving the sanctuary's signature oak woodwork and stained glass.
- Church and rectory (brick, 1940)
- Fr. Matt Hall (named 2002, hosts Altar Society and parish events)
- Parish cemetery (Antoine Beauchamp acre, 1906; transferred to Escanaba Township 1946)
- 1999 renovation — gathering space, offices, three restrooms, elevator
Visit, Contact & Practical Information
Holy Family Parish is located about ten miles south of Escanaba in Flat Rock. Visitors can reach the parish office Monday through Thursday during regular hours. The most current bulletin and homily resources are posted on the parish website.
- Address: 4011 Co. 416-20th Road, Gladstone, MI 49837
- Phone: (906) 786-1209 (Pastor ext. 3; Secretary ext. 1)
- Email: [email protected]
- Office Hours: Monday – Thursday (see bulletin)
- Website: https://holyfamilyparish.net/
- Weekly bulletins and homilies available online
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Adrian DeschampOctober 1906 –
Arrived from Rapid River October 1, 1906; celebrated first Mass October 7, 1906 — one year after Bishop Eis's permission.
- Fr. LaForest
Once begged the bishop for a loan to cover coal and other bills from the previous year.
- Fr. Peter BleekerSpring 1938 –
Was chaplain at St. Francis Hospital at the time of the 1938 fire; appointed pastor of Holy Family and commuted from Escanaba to Flat Rock weekly until July 1939.
- Fr. Matthias (Matt) LaVioletteJuly 1939 – c.1945
Built the present brick church-rectory combination; first Mass Christmas Day 1940; dedicated July 13, 1941; later returned as Monsignor for a total of 14 years; honored with naming of Fr. Matt Hall in 2002.
- Fr. Roland Dionc.1945 – June 26, 1951
Talented carpenter; designed and built the elegant oak woodwork in the sanctuary with Lawrence Chouinard Sr.; ordered the stained-glass windows and oversaw painting by Lewis Shrovnal.
- Fr. Gerard LaMotheJune 26, 1951 – July 1959
Established many parish organizations; led celebration of the Golden Jubilee.
- Fr. Thomas AndaryJuly 1959 – July 1967
- Fr. Raymond PrzybylskiJuly 1967 – July 1973
- Fr. [surname per partial history list]July 1973 –
Succession of many good priests under whom buildings continued to be improved.
- Fr. Arnold Grambow & Fr. Michael Capyakthrough May 1986
Celebrated Masses until the next appointment after the death of the previous pastor on May 19, 1986.
- Fr. Conrad DishawJuly 1986 –
Fr. Gilbert N. Neurohr oversaw the parish during Fr. Dishaw's recovery from a broken leg (Aug 1986 – Jan 1987).
- Fr. Christopher GardinerJuly 1992 – October 1998
- Fr. Raymond CotterOctober 1998 – April 2001
Led the 1999 major renovation that reversed the church's interior layout.
- Fr. Frank LenzApril 2001 – after 2004
Fr. Tom Schmied oversaw parish during Fr. Frank's sabbatical from May 2004 – September 2004.
- Fr. Jose MaramatonJuly 2008 – July 2013
- Fr. John LongbuccoJuly 2013 – June 2017; Sept 2017 – January 2018
- Fr. Francis DobrzenskiJune 2017 – Sept 2017 (Temporary Administrator); January 2018 – July 2020
- Fr. Sebastian K. ChackoJuly 2020 – present
Current pastor.