About Holy Family · Saginaw, Michigan
Holy Family Catholic Church is a historic Roman Catholic parish in the East Side of Saginaw, Michigan, on South Washington Avenue near Ojibway Island. Founded in 1893 by French-Canadian immigrants who came to Saginaw to work in the lumber industry, the parish has worshipped in its current Early Christian Basilica-style church since it was dedicated on May 30, 1924. A parish of the Diocese of Saginaw (Vicariate 3), Holy Family is known for its Italian-imported Carrara marble interior, its commitment to traditional worship — including a weekly Extraordinary Form (Latin) Mass — and the warmth of a long-standing faith family that has ministered in the Grove neighborhood for over 130 years.
- Established
- 1893
- Patron
- The Holy Family (Jesus, Mary, and Joseph)
- Rector
- Rev. Christopher M. Coman
- Diocese
- Diocese of Saginaw (Vicariate 3)
Why belong here
Holy Family offers a rare combination of historic beauty, traditional Catholic worship, and intimate community life. It maintains the weekly Extraordinary Form (Latin) Mass every Sunday at 3:00 p.m. — increasingly uncommon in the region — alongside a Novus Ordo schedule, daily opportunities for confession, Eucharistic adoration with Benediction, a vibrant Rosary Altar Society, and First Friday/First Saturday devotions including the all-night 'Night of Love' of prayer, Rosary, Divine Mercy Chaplet, and Marian procession. The parish is the spiritual home of multi-generational families in the Grove neighborhood and draws Catholics from across the Saginaw area who value its reverent liturgy and Italian-marble basilica setting.
Mass times at Holy Family
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
- Saturday 3:00 PM – 3:45 PM
- Sunday 2:30 PM (before the Latin Mass)
Adoration times
- Wednesday 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM (Eucharistic Adoration with Benediction)
- First Friday 11:00 AM – 11:45 AM
- Saturday 3:00 PM – 3:45 PM
About Holy Family Parish
Holy Family Catholic Church is a historic parish in the East Side of Saginaw, Michigan, situated along South Washington Avenue near Ojibway Island and Lake Linton in the neighborhood known as the Grove. Founded in 1893 by French-Canadian immigrants in the lumber industry, the parish has served the Saginaw community for more than 130 years. Its mission statement, displayed across the website, reads: 'We, the Holy Family Parish for over 130 years, have endeavored to uphold the teachings of Christ through the celebration of the Eucharist, outreach, and reflection of the Gospel. Our faith family strives to share the message of Jesus everyday.' Holy Family is part of the Diocese of Saginaw (Vicariate 3) and is led by pastor Father Christopher Coman.
History of the Parish
Holy Family was established in 1893 by French-Canadian Catholic families who had come to Saginaw for work in the lumber trade. By 1911 the parish was still primarily French-speaking, and when Bishop Richter appointed Father Suprenant as pastor in 1915, he was directed to build a permanent church. The architectural firm Brielmaier & Sons produced plans in the style of an early Christian basilica, and the first cornerstone was set on October 8, 1916, with a proposed budget of $85,000. Construction halted during World War I, and the parish's official language shifted from French to English (while Mass continued in Latin). A second cornerstone was laid on May 31, 1921; the structure was completed in 1923 at a final cost of $123,000; and the building was formally dedicated on May 30, 1924 — a date the parish still commemorates as the anniversary of its home.
- Founded 1893 by French-Canadian lumber workers
- Cornerstone laid October 8, 1916 (Brielmaier & Sons, architects)
- Construction halted by World War I; parish language changed from French to English
- Second cornerstone laid May 31, 1921
- Building completed 1923; dedicated May 30, 1924
- Final cost: $123,000 (original estimate $85,000)
Patron and Architectural Treasures
The parish's patron is the Holy Family — Jesus, Mary, and Joseph — and the building is renowned as one of the most visually striking churches in the Saginaw Valley. Early patron Edward Germain, a Saginaw lumber baron and piano manufacturer who had arrived in 1863, personally arranged for the import of an altar built of Carrara Marble, Breccia Violetta, and Venetian Mosaic from Italy. Most of the marble lining the interior walls and hallways was also imported from Italy, with Vatican ties influencing the choice, and the stained-glass windows were brought from Wisconsin. The high altar was replaced in the 1960s with another Italian import. Longtime parishioners describe it as 'a place of beauty, a place of art, but it's also a community.'
- Patron: the Holy Family (Jesus, Mary, and Joseph)
- Style: Early Christian Basilica, designed by Brielmaier & Sons
- Carrara Marble, Breccia Violetta, and Venetian Mosaic altar imported from Italy by Edward Germain
- Most interior marble imported from Italy; windows from Wisconsin
- High altar replaced in the 1960s — replacement also from Italy
Pastor History
Public records and parish histories identify several clergy who have shaped Holy Family across the decades. The current pastor is Father Christopher M. Coman.
- Father Suprenant (Surprenant) — appointed 1915 by Bishop Richter to oversee construction of the present church
- Father Taylor — helped keep the parish viable in the post-1993 era alongside Father Tipton and Deacon Roger Pasionek
- Father Tipton — served in the difficult period of declining numbers
- Father Wagner — pastor 2007–2008; after his departure the parish was again without a resident pastor
- Deacon Roger Pasionek — parish administrator; worked to keep the church open during lean years
- Rev. Christopher M. Coman — current pastor
Devotions and Special Events
The parish is known for an unusually rich devotional life, anchored by traditional Catholic practices.
- Sunday Rosary around 2:30 PM before the Latin Mass
- First Friday Mass at 7:30 PM
- First Saturday Mass at 12:30 AM (closing the Night of Love)
- Annual 'Night of Love' all-night vigil (Rosaries, Marian Procession, Divine Mercy Chaplet, litanies, Confession throughout)
- Our Lady of Fatima International Pilgrim Virgin Statue visit (with the Blue Army of Fatima) — most recently July 25, 2024
Parish Life and Ministries
Lay leadership and parish commissions organize the life of the church. Members serve on the Pastoral Council, Liturgy Commission, Christian Service Commission, and Finance Council, and the women of the parish sustain the long-standing Rosary Altar Society.
- Pastoral Council — chaired by Vince Zolinski; members Margarette Perez, Angela Gosen, Deon DeLaCruz, Paul Christe, Gary Thomas, James Seman II, Bill LeFevre, Rich Moskal
- Liturgy Commission — Pierce Tyndall, Lazaro Chapins Jr., Hunter Swogger, Susan Doepker
- Christian Service Commission — Mary Licavoli, Marissa De La Cruz
- Finance Council (Co-Chairperson noted on staff page)
- Rosary Altar Society — women's group; quarterly meetings 3rd Tuesday at 6:00 PM, beginning with the Rosary; maintains liturgical linens, candles, and seasonal arrangements; contact Margaret Perez at 989-714-6755 or [email protected]
- Blue Army of Fatima (hosted the Pilgrim Virgin Statue visit)
- Altar Servers (notably present for the Fatima Mass with 175 faithful attending)
- Church Cleaning — Wednesday mornings at 10:00 AM
Parish Staff
The parish is staffed by a small team led by its pastor and supported by lay administrators and office staff.
- Pastor: Rev. Christopher M. Coman ([email protected])
- Parish Administrator / Secretary: Diana Hickey ([email protected])
- Business Manager: Gilbert Urban ([email protected])
- Bookkeeper: Mary Vogelpohl ([email protected])
Sacraments
Holy Family celebrates the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church. Inquiries for Baptism, Marriage, Anointing of the Sick, First Communion, and Confirmation should be directed to the parish office.
- Baptism — by arrangement with the parish office
- Marriage — preparation required; Holy Family has hosted generations of weddings (e.g., Edward and Lucile Brettrager, January 17, 1948)
- Confession — Wed 7–8:30 PM, Sat 3–3:45 PM, Sun 2:30 PM before Latin Mass
- Eucharistic Adoration with Benediction — Wed evenings, First Fridays, and Saturdays
- Anointing of the Sick — contact the parish office
Contact and Visiting
Parishioners and visitors are warmly welcomed at Holy Family. The parish office is open Tuesday and Thursday, 10:00 AM – 2:30 PM (the Diocese of Saginaw parish page lists Tuesday–Thursday 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM). The church is located at 1525 S Washington Avenue, Saginaw, MI 48601, on the East Side near Ojibway Island. Telephone: (989) 755-8020. Email: [email protected].
- Address: 1525 S Washington Avenue, Saginaw, MI 48601
- Phone: (989) 755-8020
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: http://holyfamilysaginaw.org/
- Office hours: Tuesday & Thursday 10:00 AM – 2:30 PM (Diocese listing: Tue–Thu 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Suprenant (Surprenant)appointed 1915
Appointed by Bishop Richter to begin construction of the present church; cornerstone laid 1916.
- Father Taylor
Worked with Deacon Roger Pasionek and Father Tipton to keep the parish viable during a period of declining population.
- Father Tipton
Served alongside Father Taylor in the difficult post-1993 era when the parish fought to remain open.
- Father Wagner2007–2008
Served as pastor; after his departure the parish was again without a resident pastor.