About Immaculate Conception · Milan, Michigan
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church is a small Catholic parish located in the heart of Milan, Michigan, in the Diocese of Lansing. The parish mission statement describes its members as rooted in Jesus Christ, committed to nurturing and welcoming all through the Sacraments, caring for those in need, and living and teaching the Gospel. It serves the Milan community with weekend and weekday Masses, religious education for grades K-8, youth ministry, RCIA, and active service organizations including the Knights of Columbus (Howard Heath Council 7587) and the Catholic Women's Circle.
- Established
- 1854 (community) / 1912 (church dedicated)
- Patron
- Immaculate Conception (the Blessed Virgin Mary, conceived without sin)
- Rector
- Father Peter Lawrence
- Diocese
- Diocese of Lansing
Why belong here
Immaculate Conception offers the fullness of Catholic life in an intimate small-parish setting: weekend and weekday Masses, Thursday Eucharistic Adoration from 8:30 AM to 7:00 PM, weekly Confession times, a robust Religious Education program for grades K-8, an active Youth Ministry, RCIA for adults, a Prayer Shawl Ministry, and outreach to the homebound through Homebound Holy Communion and Eucharistic Ministry to nursing homes, hospitals, and jails. Newcomers are warmly welcomed to register, attend Mass, and get involved — and the parish's signature monthly Donut Sundays and Family Fun Day reflect a community that genuinely enjoys being together.
Mass times at Immaculate Conception
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 9:30 AM (per website) / Saturday 3:30–4:30 PM or by appointment (per bulletin)
- Tuesday & Wednesday: after the 5:30 PM Mass
- Thursday & Friday: after the 8:00 AM Mass
Adoration times
- Thursday: 8:30 AM – 7:00 PM (Eucharistic Adoration)
History of the Parish
Catholic life in Milan stretches back to 1854, when an acre of land on Welch Road was given to Bishop Peter Paul Lefevere of Detroit and a modest wooden church called St. Mary's was built. St. Mary's Cemetery, carved out of that same land, is still maintained today by the parish's Knights of Columbus. By 1900 the country church had been abandoned and Mass moved into private homes. The community then became a mission of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Whittaker until, in 1911, twenty-five Catholic families — with the help of local Protestants — broke ground on a new Immaculate Conception Church on North Street. The $5,000 structure was dedicated in July 1912, founding the parish that still worships at 420 North Street today.
- 1854: St. Mary's wooden church built in Milan Township on Welch Road
- St. Mary's Cemetery established on the same tract; maintained by K of C Howard Heath Council 7587
- By 1900: Mass moved to private homes in Milan
- Milan becomes a mission of St. Joseph Church in Whittaker
- 1911: Construction begins on Immaculate Conception Church
- July 1912: First Immaculate Conception Church ($5,000) dedicated
Faith Formation and Religious Education
Religious Education classes meet on Sunday mornings at 9:00 AM, with grades K-5 in the Family Center and grades 6-8 in the Parish Office Building. Students preparing for First Eucharist, Reconciliation, and Confirmation must be enrolled in the Religious Education Program for at least two years. Vacation Bible School is held each summer with parish-wide volunteer support and donations from the Knights of Columbus and Catholic Women's Circle.
- Sunday Religious Education — 9:00 AM
- Grades K-5 — Family Center
- Grades 6-8 — Parish Office Building
- First Eucharist / Reconciliation / Confirmation preparation (minimum 2 years enrollment)
- Annual Vacation Bible School
Youth Ministry
Youth Ministry at Immaculate Conception is led by David Lubke and Allison Georgic and welcomes all teenagers and their families. Regular meetings are held on Sunday evenings after the 10:30 AM Mass in the office building, beginning each program year with a cookout and games on the parish lawn.
- Youth Minister — David Lubke
- Youth Minister — Allison Georgic
- First meeting of the year — cookout and lawn games
- Regular meetings — after 10:30 AM Sunday Mass in the office building
RCIA and Adult Faith Formation
Adults interested in joining the Catholic Church are invited to participate in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA), coordinated by Deacon Jack Flanagan and Earl Wilson. The parish uses the Augustine Institute's Symbolon, a comprehensive video-based faith formation series that walks inquirers through the Gospel and the Creed.
- RCIA — Deacon Jack Flanagan and Earl Wilson
- Curriculum — Augustine Institute's Symbolon
Sacraments
The parish celebrates all seven sacraments, with preparation programs for Baptism, Marriage, First Eucharist, and Confirmation. Anointing of the Sick is available by calling the parish office. Marriage arrangements should be made with the pastor at least nine months in advance, before a date is set.
- Baptism — last weekend Masses of the month; baptism class required
- Marriage — arrange with pastor 9+ months in advance; prep program required
- First Eucharist and Confirmation — 2-year enrollment in Religious Education
- Anointing of the Sick — call the parish office
Parish Councils, Commissions, and Ministries
Lay leadership is organized through a Pastoral Council chaired by Shannon Dare Wayne, a Finance Council chaired by Sam Mills, a Spiritual Commission led by Jan Kiger and Mary Ochalek, and a Christian Service Commission. The parish's social and service organizations include the Knights of Columbus Howard Heath Council 7587 and the Catholic Women's Circle.
- Pastoral Council — Shannon Dare Wayne
- Finance Council — Sam Mills
- Spiritual Commission — Jan Kiger and Mary Ochalek
- Christian Service Commission
- Knights of Columbus — Howard Heath Council 7587 (Jack Starzec)
- Catholic Women's Circle — Betty Plasters and Pat Eisenhauer
Liturgy and Music Ministries
The liturgy is coordinated by Father Peter Lawrence with Jan Kiger and Mary Ochalek. Worship Aide Roxanne Kiger oversees liturgical ministries, Mary Jo Huber coordinates Readers and Eucharistic Ministers, and Joe Siefker leads the Ushers. The Music Ministry combines traditional musicians and cantors — Jim and Tammy Opfermann and Anne Barton — with a Folk Group led by Curt Dettling.
- Liturgy — Fr. Peter Lawrence, Jan Kiger, Mary Ochalek
- Worship — Roxanne Kiger
- Readers and Eucharistic Ministers — Mary Jo Huber
- Ushers — Joe Siefker
- Musicians and Cantors — Jim and Tammy Opfermann, Anne Barton
- Folk Group — Curt Dettling
- Altar Servers
Outreach and Service
The parish's outreach ministries extend both locally and beyond. The Prayer Shawl Ministry knits and crochets shawls while praying for recipients, and Deacon Jack blesses each one. A regional Eucharistic Ministry Outreach brings Holy Communion to the homebound, nursing homes, jails, and hospitals. The parish also supports the community through funeral luncheons, a prayer chain, and the Knights of Columbus and Catholic Women's Circle.
- Prayer Shawl Ministry (Terri Flanagan, 734-604-5581)
- Homebound Holy Communion
- Eucharistic Ministry Outreach to nursing homes, jails, and hospitals ([email protected] / 734-660-6268)
- Prayer Chain — Mary Jo Huber, 439-2674
- Funeral Luncheons — Debbie Wojtowicz, 368-3856
- St. Mary's Cemetery — maintained by Howard Heath Knights of Columbus
Parish Staff and Clergy
Immaculate Conception is served by a small but dedicated staff. Father Peter Lawrence is pastor and Deacon Jack Flanagan assists with liturgy, baptism and marriage preparation, and RCIA. Office staff include Pat Eisenhauer (Secretary/Bookkeeper) and Jodi Overbeek (Bulletin Editor). Valerie Wilson directs Religious Education, David Lubke and Allison Georgic lead Youth Ministry, and Darin Good serves as Music Director.
- Pastor — Fr. Peter Lawrence ([email protected])
- Deacon — Jack Flanagan ([email protected] / 734-434-3037)
- Secretary/Bookkeeper — Pat Eisenhauer ([email protected])
- Bulletin Editor — Jodi Overbeek ([email protected])
- Director of Religious Education — Valerie Wilson
- Youth Minister — David Lubke
- Youth Minister — Allison Georgic
- Music Director — Darin Good
Visiting and Joining the Parish
Visitors and newcomers are warmly invited to attend Mass and experience the warmth of the congregation. Registration can be done by calling the parish office during business hours (Monday–Wednesday 9:00 AM–3:00 PM; Thursday–Friday 8:30 AM–3:00 PM) or by stopping in person. The parish keeps in touch with parishioners through Flocknote by email and text — text ICCMILAN to 84576 or sign up at immaculateconception56.flocknote.com.
- Office hours: Mon–Wed 9:00 AM–3:00 PM; Thu–Fri 8:30 AM–3:00 PM
- Phone: 734-439-2030
- Address: 420 North St., Milan, MI 48160
- Flocknote: text ICCMILAN to 84576