About Immaculate Heart of Mary · Grand Rapids, Michigan
Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM) is a Roman Catholic parish on Grand Rapids' southeast side, part of the Diocese of Grand Rapids. Founded in 1949, the parish community worships at 1935 Plymouth Ave. SE and is known for its strong parish life centered on the Eucharist, a vibrant Burmese Catholic community, a 24-hour Eucharistic Adoration chapel, and an active school. Its mission statement describes a welcoming, Christ-centered community that embraces the diversity of its parish family and serves through Christian stewardship of time, talent, and treasure.
- Established
- 1949
- Patron
- Immaculate Heart of Mary
- Rector
- Rev. Troy A. Nevins
- Diocese
- Diocese of Grand Rapids
Why belong here
Immaculate Heart of Mary offers a complete Catholic parish home: weekend and daily Mass, Saturday Reconciliation, a perpetual Eucharistic Adoration chapel open 24 hours a day, OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults), parish school, and ministry formation for youth and adults. The parish also hosts a Burmese Catholic prayer community and Masses celebrated in Burmese (call the parish office for the schedule), reflecting the diversity it actively embraces. With a parish school, active youth ministry for middle and high schoolers, faith formation, and a parish center with Viking Hall, IHM is built around gathering, formation, and Christian service.
Mass times at Immaculate Heart of Mary
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:30 – 4:30 PM (in the church) or by appointment (call the parish office)
Adoration times
- Eucharistic Adoration: Open 24 hours a day / 7 days a week. Located on the northwest side of the church building.
Parish Mission & Identity
IHM's stated mission is to seek to live as disciples of Jesus Christ, reaching out in Christian service to families, the parish, the community, and the world. The parish values Catholic beliefs, nurtures continual growth and faith renewal, and strives to be a welcoming, vibrant, Christ-centered community that acknowledges and embraces the diversity of its parish family. Parish life is centered in the celebration of the Word and the Sacraments, especially the Holy Eucharist, and members are committed to stewardship of time, talent, and treasure for the sake of building up the Reign of God.
- Mission rooted in discipleship, stewardship, and the Eucharist
- Embraces diversity, including a Burmese Catholic community
Parish History
The parish was born in 1948 when ten acres were purchased along Plymouth Road on Grand Rapids' southeast side with $15,000 from neighboring parishes St. Francis Xavier and St. Stephen. Founding pastor Fr. Charles Killgoar, O.M.I., arrived in October 1948, lived in a trailer until a rectory was built, and celebrated the first Mass on April 3, 1949. The parish school opened in 1952, the new permanent church was completed in the 1960s, and the Parish Center was dedicated by Bishop Joseph Breitenbeck in 1981. Parish historian Deb Moore, appointed by Fr. Joe Ferraioli, O.M.I., in 1997, authored the parish's published history.
- 1948: Land purchased; Fr. Killgoar arrives
- April 3, 1949: First Mass celebrated (Passion Sunday)
- 1952: IHM School opens its first four classrooms
- 1965: Groundbreaking for the 'permanent' church
- 1981: Parish Center dedicated by Bishop Breitenbeck
- 1997: Deb Moore appointed parish historian
Parish Staff & Clergy
The parish is served by Pastor Rev. Troy A. Nevins and Parochial Vicar Rev. David Jameson, alongside Permanent Deacon David Bevins and Parish Home Visitor Sr. Anna Khanh Nguyen. Lay staff support liturgy, faith formation, youth ministry, communications, and operations.
- Pastor: Rev. Troy A. Nevins
- Parochial Vicar: Fr. David Jameson
- Permanent Deacon: Deacon David Bevins
- Pastoral Associate: Stefanie Iwan
- Business Administrator: Heather Jablonski
- Secretary: Janet Potoczny
- Liturgical Music Director: Jake Beckon
- Middle School Youth Minister / Confirmation Coordinator: Stacie Byers
- High School Youth Minister: Brian Weber
- Stewardship & Communications Coordinator: Jane Eggleston
- Maintenance Director: Ken Kuchnicki
- Maintenance Crew: Leonard Brand
- Parish Home Visitor: Sr. Anna Khanh Nguyen
Faith Formation & Sacramental Preparation
IHM provides sacramental preparation and ongoing faith formation for adults and youth. OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) welcomes those seeking to enter the Catholic Church, and the parish celebrates a Baptism weekend for infant baptisms. Youth Faith Formation enrollment and Confirmation preparation are coordinated through dedicated youth ministers for middle school and high school.
- OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults)
- Baptism weekend celebrations
- Youth Faith Formation enrollment
- Middle School Youth Ministry
- Confirmation Coordination
- High School Youth Ministry
Burmese Catholic Community
Immaculate Heart of Mary is home to a Burmese Catholic community that gathers for prayer and Mass celebrated in Burmese. This ministry reflects the parish's commitment to embracing the diversity of its parish family. Burmese-speaking parishioners or newcomers can call the parish office for the current Mass and prayer schedule.
- Burmese Community Prayer
- Mass celebrated in Burmese (call parish office for schedule)
Parish School & Education
IHM School is a cornerstone of the parish's ministry. Its first four classrooms opened in the fall of 1952, with six more added in a south wing in 1954 and six more in a west wing in 1957 — totaling 14 classrooms. The school was expanded and renovated in 1992, and the original first church stood on what is now the front of the school site. The Killgoar Education Foundation supports the parish's educational mission in honor of founding pastor Fr. Charles Killgoar.
- IHM School — opened 1952, expanded 1954 and 1957
- School expanded and renovated in 1992
- Killgoar Education Foundation
Parish Center & Facilities
The Parish Center, dedicated by Bishop Joseph Breitenbeck on June 21, 1981, is a 21,000-square-foot DeYoung and Bagin building that serves as the hub for parish gatherings. It houses Viking Hall (a gymnasium), the DeMazenod Room (a large room with dance floor), a kitchen, and the smaller Dominican Room. Groundbreaking for the center was held September 7, 1980, and about 500 parishioners attended its dedication.
- Viking Hall (gymnasium)
- DeMazenod Room (large room with dance floor)
- Dominican Room (smaller meeting room)
- Parish kitchen
Music & Liturgy
Liturgical music at IHM is directed by Music Director Jake Beckon, supporting weekend Masses, daily Masses, holy days, and special celebrations including the parish's Burmese community liturgies.
- Liturgical Music Director: Jake Beckon
Getting Involved & Outreach
Parishioners can get involved through parish registration, stewardship, and a wide range of ministries including music, youth ministry, faith formation, parish home visits (Sr. Anna Khanh Nguyen visits homebound parishioners), stewardship and communications, and maintenance. Outreach is supported through online giving and the Killgoar Education Foundation.
- Parish Registration
- Online Giving
- Ministry Scheduler
- Parish Home Visits
- Killgoar Education Foundation
- Homilies (audio)
Visiting & Contact
Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church is located at 1935 Plymouth Ave. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506, on Grand Rapids' growing southeast side. The church building is handicapped accessible. The parish office can be reached at 616-241-4477 (fax 616-241-2832). The parish historian, Deb Moore, can be reached at 616-490-2652 or [email protected].
- Address: 1935 Plymouth Ave. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506
- Phone: 616-241-4477
- Fax: 616-241-2832
- Handicap accessible
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Charles Killgoar, O.M.I.1948–
Founding pastor; arrived October 1948 from Massachusetts, lived in a trailer until the rectory was built, broke ground for the new 'permanent' church in 1965.
- Fr. Joe Ferraioli, O.M.I.
Appointed parish historian Deb Moore in 1997.