About Holy Family · Sparta, Michigan
Holy Family Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in Sparta, Michigan, in the Diocese of Grand Rapids, serving the Sparta/Kent City area of northern Kent County. Established in 1947, it was first gathered by Fr. Vincent McKenna with 63 families at the Sparta Township Hall and now worships in its current church at 425 S. State Street, built in 1963. The parish is known for its strong Religious Education and Youth Ministry programs, a long-running weekly Eucharistic Adoration, an active Knights of Columbus council, and devotion to the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.
- Established
- 1947
- Patron
- The Holy Family (Jesus, Mary, and Joseph)
- Rector
- Rev. Msgr. Terrence L. Stewart
- Diocese
- Diocese of Grand Rapids
Why belong here
Holy Family offers the rare combination of a mid-sized parish with a deep sense of history (founded 1947, in its current church since 1963) and a very active devotional and ministry life. Practicing Catholics can root themselves in weekly Eucharistic Adoration, a daily Rosary (Monday–Friday at 8:30 a.m.), a strong Religious Education and Youth Ministry program for all school-age children, OCIA, a Knights of Columbus council, and service groups such as Mary Martha and Christian Service to the poor and elderly. Visitors and newcomers will find a welcoming, accessible church (handicapped accessible), weekday Mass Tuesday–Friday, and Saturday Vigil and Sunday Masses — all within an easy drive of Sparta, Kent City, and the northern Kent County area.
Mass times at Holy Family
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:15–5:00 pm (or by appointment)
Adoration times
- Monday 7:00–9:00 pm (weekly Eucharistic Adoration, per Diocese of Grand Rapids listing)
About Holy Family Parish
As members of the Diocese of Grand Rapids, Holy Family Parish, Sparta, is a believing community of Catholic Christians growing in Christ. With the help of the Holy Spirit, the parish proclaims and spreads the Gospel, worships the Lord, and serves people so as to make evident the kingdom of God as proclaimed in the Scriptures. Worship takes place at 425 S. State St., Sparta, MI, in a handicapped-accessible church that serves the Sparta and Kent City area of northern Kent County.
History of Holy Family Parish
Established in 1947, Holy Family grew from 63 families gathered at the Sparta Township Hall into a parish of several hundred families worshipping in its current 1963 church. Through nine pastors — from founding pastor Fr. Vincent McKenna through current pastor Msgr. Terrence Stewart — the parish has expanded its campus twice (1963 and 1985), developed extensive religious education and youth programs, and built a vibrant community of devotional and service organizations.
- 1947: Parish established; first Mass celebrated by Fr. Vincent McKenna with 63 families at Sparta Township Hall.
- 1949: First church building constructed by ~100 families.
- 1950s–60s: Catechism program grows; Sisters Mary Evangelista, Mary Leonard arrive (1950).
- 1963: Current church building and rectory constructed under Msgr. Joseph Walen.
- 1966–71: Vatican II reforms introduced under Msgr. Thomas Martin; Parish Council formed.
- 1971–79: Msgr. Anthony Arszulowicz pays off building debt; capital improvement fund established.
- 1979–c.1985: Fr. Melvin Fox expands religious education and lay ministries; OCIA established.
- c.1985–c.1997: Fr. Martin Kurylowicz leads major expansion (religious education center, social hall, enlarged entryway).
- 1997–2002: Fr. Philip Shangraw develops five-year plan; organ donated; original 1949 church razed.
- 2002–present: Msgr. Terrence L. Stewart serves as pastor; Sr. Bernadine Gazda joins as pastoral associate/DRE in 2003; Deacon Larry Hoogeboom ordained in 2005.
Sacraments
The parish celebrates all seven Catholic sacraments and welcomes inquiries from registered parishioners and visitors. Reconciliation is offered weekly on Saturday afternoons and by appointment; the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) prepares adults for full reception into the Church. Baptisms, First Communion, Confirmation (in conjunction with the Diocese of Grand Rapids), Marriages (with preparation), and Anointing of the Sick are available by contacting the parish office.
- Reconciliation (Saturday 4:15–5:00 pm or by appointment)
- Baptism
- First Eucharist / First Communion
- Confirmation
- Marriage (preparation required)
- Anointing of the Sick
- OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults / RCIA)
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Holy Family operates a robust Religious Education program and a Youth Ministry program that build and nourish the faith of elementary, middle-school, and high-school youth. The parish's Director of Religious Education and Pastoral Associate, Sr. Bernadine Gazda, has served in that role since 2003. Adult faith formation includes the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) and ongoing Bible Study groups.
- Religious Education for Elementary, Middle School, and High School youth
- Youth Ministry program
- OCIA / RCIA for adults
- Bible Study Groups
Parish Ministries and Organizations
The parish has a long list of active ministries, some dating to the 1940s and 1950s. Liturgical, devotional, fraternal, and service groups all play a role in the life of the parish and are coordinated through the Parish Council and the pastor's leadership.
- Knights of Columbus (charter revived in the 1990s)
- Altar Society and Holy Name Society (founded 1940s–50s)
- Mary Martha, St. Ann's Guild, Little Flower Guild
- Ushers Club
- Cursillo and Degagè (lay spiritual movements)
- Christian Service (outreach to the poor and elderly)
- Parish Council, lectors, and Eucharistic ministers
Clergy and Staff
Holy Family is served by a pastor and a deacon, with a religious sister serving as Pastoral Associate and Director of Religious Education. The parish office is staffed during weekday business hours.
- Rev. Msgr. Terrence L. Stewart — Pastor (since 2002)
- Deacon Larry Hoogeboom — ordained 2005 at the Cathedral of Saint Andrew
- Sr. Bernadine Gazda — Pastoral Associate / Director of Religious Education (since 2003)
- Parish Office staff
Visiting and Contact Information
The parish office is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 am–12:30 pm and 1:30 pm–5:00 pm, closed for lunch 12:30–1:30 pm. The church is handicapped accessible, and on-site parking is available at the church/religious education campus on S. State Street.
- Address: 425 S. State Street, Sparta, MI 49345
- Phone: (616) 887-8222 | Fax: (616) 887-0681
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: http://holyfamilysparta.org/
- Office Hours: Mon–Fri 9:00 am–12:30 pm, 1:30 pm–5:00 pm
- Diocese: Diocese of Grand Rapids (Grand Rapids North Deanery)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Vincent McKenna1947–1954
Founding pastor; celebrated first Mass with 63 families at Sparta Township Hall; oversaw construction of the first church building (1949) and early catechism program.
- Msgr. Joseph Walen1954–1964
Second pastor; formalized committees, guilds, and choirs; oversaw construction of the current church building and rectory in 1963.
- Fr. Julius Amman1964–1966
Succeeded Msgr. Walen; served Holy Family for two years.
- Msgr. Thomas Martin1966–1971
Implemented Vatican II reforms — instituted lay lectors, Eucharistic ministers, religious education teachers, and Parish Council; Fr. Ron Schneider was ordained during his tenure.
- Msgr. Anthony Arszulowicz1971–1979
Paid off the building debt and established a capital improvement fund; retired from parish life in 1979.
- Fr. Melvin Fox1979–c.1985
Greatly enhanced religious education and lay liturgical involvement with Sisters Paula Mierle and Jean Marie Wojtas; established OCIA/RCIA; Fr. Rock Badgerow (a Holy Family 'son') was ordained during this period.
- Fr. Martin Kurylowiczc.1985–c.1997
Led major expansion project: new religious education center, social hall, and enlarged church entryway; oversaw debt retirement.
- Fr. Philip Shangraw1997–2002
Developed a five-year plan unifying parish groups as the Body of Christ in the Sparta/Kent City area; a pipe organ was donated, a new sign erected, and the 1949 church building razed during his tenure.
- Msgr. Terrence L. Stewart2002–present
Current pastor. Working with Sr. Bernadine Gazda (pastoral associate/DRE, 2003), he has brought renewed reverence, professionalism, and dedication to the parish.