About Mary of the Immaculate Conception · Saint Charles, Michigan
Mary of the Immaculate Conception is a Catholic parish in Saint Charles, Michigan, in the Diocese of Saginaw. The parish was formed on July 1, 2013, through the merger of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in St. Charles and St. Mary's Church of Albee, and is also linked with St. Michael's of Maple Grove, with which it shares a pastor. Sunday Mass is celebrated at 11:00 a.m. at the church on Sanderson Street, while the parish also cares for St. Mary Church in Albee (5661 Fergus Rd.). Worship is supported by a small staff and a dedicated team of lay ministers in faith formation, youth ministry, music, and the BeFriender pastoral-visitation program.
- Established
- 2013
- Patron
- Mary under the title of the Immaculate Conception (parish originally dedicated as 'St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception')
- Rector
- Rev. Robert J. Kelm
- Diocese
- Diocese of Saginaw (Vicariate 5)
Why belong here
Mary of the Immaculate Conception is a welcoming rural Catholic community rooted in over 160 years of faith in the Saint Charles area. The parish pairs a small, personal congregation with active lay ministries — BeFriender visits to the sick and homebound, faith formation for children, youth ministry, a music ministry, altar servers, Eucharistic ministers, lectors, greeters, and ushers — so newcomers can find a role quickly. As one merged parish serving both Saint Charles and Albee (and linked with St. Michael's of Maple Grove), it offers Sunday and weekday Mass, sacramental preparation through RCIA and Faith Formation, and the warmth of a community that knows its members by name.
Mass times at Mary of the Immaculate Conception
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- First Reconciliation is prepared through Faith Formation (children) and RCIA (adults) — contact Kristeen Gross
- Scheduled confessions at St. Mary's of Albee on Saturday mornings — see the parish bulletin
- Appointments available by calling the parish office
Welcome & Identity
Mary of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church sits in Saint Charles, Michigan, and welcomes visitors and new members. The parish traces its spiritual lineage to the mission established in 1864 and the first Mass celebrated in the Diamond Hotel in 1873, and today identifies itself under the full original Marian title of the merged congregation.
- Parish name honors Mary under the title of the Immaculate Conception
- Welcomes new members and visitors
- Parish email and contact available through the office
History
The community's story stretches back to 1864, when St. Charles-area Catholics began to organize, and to 1873, when Fr. Van der Heyden came from Saginaw to offer the first Mass in the Diamond Hotel. The mission acquired cemetery property in 1880, a former Presbyterian church in 1883, and became its own parish in December 1927. A new church was built in 1957 after decades of climbing 26 steps every Sunday, and the parish eventually merged with St. Mary's of Albee in 2013.
- 1864 — St. Charles-area Catholics organize
- 1873 — First Mass in the Diamond Hotel (Fr. Van der Heyden)
- 1880 — Cemetery property purchased
- 1883 — Mission buys the Presbyterian Church (Clinton & Charles) for $500
- 1888–1900 — St. Mary's Hemlock responsible for the St. Charles Mission
- 1908 — Fr. Alphonse Studer acquires the present site
- 1909 — St. Mary's Catholic School opens with 90 pupils (Dominican Sisters)
- December 1927 — St. Charles becomes its own parish (Fr. Skowronski first pastor)
- 1945 — Parish hall plot purchased
- 1957 — New church built (replacing 26-step climb)
- 1960 — New convent for six sisters built
- 1981 — School classrooms dedicated
- July 1, 2013 — Merger forms Mary of the Immaculate Conception Parish
History of St. Mary Parish (Albee)
St. Mary's of Albee is the second church of the merged Mary of the Immaculate Conception Parish. After years served by priests from St. Michael's of Maple Grove in the late 1970s and early 1980s, the community grew and built its present church a half-mile north on Fergus Road in 1955. A rectory followed in 1964, and in 1967 the parish became independent with Fr. Bruno Wiczewski as its first resident pastor. A 1997 renovation added offices, a classroom/meeting room, restrooms, and Miller Hall (named in memory of Dan and Leander Miller, whose estate partially funded the work).
- 1955 — Present church built on Fergus Road
- 1964 — Rectory built on the same property
- 1967 — St. Mary's established as an independent parish
- 1997 — Renovation added offices, classroom/meeting room, restrooms, and Miller Hall
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith Formation at Mary of the Immaculate Conception provides Catholic education and formation for all members of the parish community. Guided by the Holy Spirit, all are invited to a lifelong commitment to a greater faith and a vibrant spirituality. The religious education program is an ongoing religious process to help children experience the awareness of religion in their lives; a textbook series assures progressive and appropriate doctrinal development. Classes are held on Sundays before Mass, led by volunteer instructors and aides. Virtus training is required for this ministry.
- Director of Religious Education: Kristeen Gross ([email protected])
- Classes held Sundays before Mass
- Volunteer instructors, assistant instructors, and aides welcome
- Virtus training required
Sacraments
Sacramental preparation at the parish is coordinated through Faith Formation for children and RCIA for adults. The parish also ministers to the homebound, bringing Holy Communion to those who cannot attend Mass.
- First Reconciliation
- First Holy Eucharist
- Confirmation preparation
- RCIA (adults)
- Holy Communion brought to the homebound
Liturgical Ministries
The Liturgy Committee invites parishioners to participate in Sunday Mass through a variety of roles. The goal is to enable many people to share in the celebration, so that everyone can take turns and enjoy the ministry. Training is offered for altar servers and Eucharistic ministers.
- Altar Servers (youth; must have received First Reconciliation and Holy Communion)
- Lectors / Readers
- Eucharistic Ministers (prior training required — see office for next class)
- Greeters
- Ushers
- Mass Coordinator
Music Ministry
Music enriches the parish's Mass, drawing on the gifts of talented musicians and choir members. The parish is always looking to add new voices and talent to this ministry.
- Music coordinator: Anna Holmes ([email protected])
- Open to new choir members and musicians
BeFriender Ministry
The BeFriender Ministry serves the parish family and surrounding community by listening with an open heart, love, and compassion. Befrienders visit people going through difficult times — serious illness, the death of a loved one, divorce, or any of life's challenging situations. All visits are confidential, and the ministry also brings Holy Communion to those who are unable to attend Mass or are homebound.
- Pastoral visitation for those experiencing illness, grief, divorce, or other difficulties
- Holy Communion brought to the homebound
- Contact: Linda Parson (989) 573-4005
- Contact: Debbie Wood (989) 865-6085
Youth Ministry
Youth Ministry at Mary of the Immaculate Conception engages the parish's younger members in the life of the Church, working alongside the Faith Formation and Liturgical ministries (especially Altar Servers).
- Youth Ministry coordinator: Raquel Gomez
Parish Staff & Leadership
The parish is led by a pastor who also serves St. Michael's of Maple Grove, supported by a deacon, parish staff, and a Pastoral Council. Office hours run Monday and Thursday 8:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m. and Tuesday and Wednesday 8:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
- Rev. Robert J. Kelm — Pastor ([email protected])
- Deacon Lenn Stankiewicz — Deacon ([email protected])
- Marge Gerding — Secretary & Bulletin Editor ([email protected])
- Debra Bitterman — Bookkeeper ([email protected])
- Kristeen Gross — Faith Formation ([email protected] / [email protected])
- Raquel Gomez — Youth Ministry
- Anna Holmes — Music Ministry
- James Hession — Pastoral Council Chair
Councils, Commissions & Organizations
The parish maintains Cemetery Councils and Commissions and a number of parish organizations that bring parishioners together. The parish encourages everyone to consider joining at least one ministry.
- Cemetery Councils and Commissions
- Parish Organizations
- Pastoral Council (chaired by James Hession)
- Funeral Ministry
Visit, Contact & Locations
Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish office at (989) 865-9460. The main church is at 708 Sanderson Street in Saint Charles, with a mailing address of PO Box 39, Saint Charles, MI 48655. The parish also ministers at St. Mary Church in Albee, located at 5661 Fergus Road. The parish belongs to Vicariate 5 of the Diocese of Saginaw.
- Main church: 708 Sanderson St., St. Charles, MI 48655
- Mailing: PO Box 39, Saint Charles, MI 48655
- Phone: (989) 865-9460
- St. Mary Church (Albee): 5661 Fergus Rd.
- Diocese of Saginaw — Vicariate 5
- Office hours: Mon & Thu 8:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m.; Tue & Wed 8:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Alphonse Studer1908–c.1927+
Acquired the present parish site in 1908; oversaw St. Charles becoming its own parish in December 1927.
- Fr. Skowronskifrom December 1927
First Pastor of St. Mary's (St. Charles); a home at 201 W. Belle Avenue was purchased as a rectory.
- Fr. Bruno Wiczewskifrom 1967
First resident pastor of St. Mary's of Albee when it became an independent parish.
- Rev. Robert J. Kelmcurrent
Current pastor; also serves St. Michael Church of Maple Grove (parishes share a pastor).