About Our Lady of Sorrows · Grand Rapids, Michigan
Our Lady of Sorrows is a historic Catholic parish in the southeast side of Grand Rapids, Michigan, rooted in the Italian immigrant community of the city's 'Little Italy' neighborhood and now a vibrant bilingual (English/Spanish) faith community. Founded in 1908 by Rev. Salvatore Cianci at the invitation of Bishop Henry J. Richter, it serves about 1,100 registered families in the Diocese of Grand Rapids. After more than a century of worship at 101 Hall Street SE, the parish is entering a new chapter: beginning August 2025 it is being placed under the pastoral care of Shrine of St. Francis Xavier & Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish as part of Bishop Walkowiak's 'Rooted in Christ' pastoral plan.
- Established
- 1908
- Patron
- Our Lady of Sorrows (Santa Maria Addolorata)
- Rector
- Rev. Edwin Carreño Carreño
- Diocese
- Diocese of Grand Rapids
Why belong here
Our Lady of Sorrows is a century-old bilingual (English/Spanish) parish that worships in the heart of Grand Rapids' southeast side, with Saturday evening and two Sunday Masses — one of them celebrated entirely in Spanish — plus the Rosary prayed before every weekend Mass. It is a faith community that explicitly centers life on the Eucharist and the sacraments, forms disciples through catechesis and small faith communities, and serves neighbors through charity and works of mercy; visitors and parishioners alike speak warmly of how the parish has adapted to changing neighborhoods while keeping its identity rooted in family and tradition.
Mass times at Our Lady of Sorrows
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00–3:45 p.m.
- or by appointment
Welcome & Parish Mission
Our Lady of Sorrows describes itself as a vibrant Catholic faith community rooted in the heart of Grand Rapids since 1908. Its worship home is 101 Hall Street SE, and the parish is proud of its bilingual (English/Spanish) presence that reaches a diverse community of believers. Its mission is to worship God deeply around the Eucharist and the sacraments, serve others through works of charity, justice and mercy, foster community that embraces every person, and form disciples through catechesis, small faith communities and lifelong spiritual growth. The parish treasures its traditions while remaining open to new movements of grace, striving to be a place where all feel welcomed, nurtured, and sent forth as missionary disciples.
A New Chapter: Joining the St. Francis Xavier & Our Lady of Guadalupe Family
Beginning August 2025, Our Lady of Sorrows is being placed under the pastoral care of the Shrine of St. Francis Xavier & Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish. Bishop Walkowiak has decreed the merger of Our Lady of Sorrows into that parish as part of the diocese's 'Rooted in Christ' Pastoral Plan. The parish describes this transition as an opportunity for deeper collaboration, shared resources, and renewed vitality in mission, praying for unity, openness, and a spirit of hope in what God will do among them.
- Bishop Walkowiak decree of merger (announced June 2026)
- Liturgy schedule at 101 Hall Street continues as is until further notice
Parish History
Our Lady of Sorrows traces its beginnings to 1889, when Rev. John A. Schmitt of the Cathedral of St. Andrew began ministering to the Italian-speaking residents of Grand Rapids. Between 1891 and 1908 he worked to establish a parish of their own; through Bishop Henry J. Richter he sponsored Rev. Salvatore Cianci, a young Italian priest with a Doctorate in Laws. Father Cianci arrived August 26, 1908, celebrated his first Mass on September 20, 1908, and named the new parish Santa Maria Addolorata (Our Lady of Sorrows) in fulfillment of a promise made as a seminarian. For 13 years, 75 founding families worshipped in the basement chapel of St. Andrew's while saving for a building of their own. In December 1912 they made a $1,000 down payment on an acre at Sheldon Avenue and Hall Street; excavation began October 8, 1920, and the new church was dedicated on Easter Sunday, March 27, 1921.
- First baptism: Anna Pellerito, August 30, 1908
- First marriage: Antonio Gubbio and Anna Marsiglia, July 26, 1909
- First funeral: Antonio DelBusso, February 10, 1909
- 180 families by 1913, when planning for a new church began
- Rectory at 1152 Sheldon restored; Father Cianci moved in June 2, 1921
Italian Heritage & the Baldacchino Procession
On May 28, 1922 the parish staged the first Catholic procession in the history of Grand Rapids. The Baldachino — a work of art by Giuseppi DiLeonardo — was carried through the streets of the city and the Feast of the Holy Crucifix was established. From that day until the mid-1960s, some forty men of the parish carried the two-ton baldacchino in an annual summer procession that became a signature event of the neighborhood. The parish's centennial Mass in 2008 was concelebrated by Bishop Walter Hurley alongside monsignors John Giammona and Gaspar Ancona, both raised at Our Lady of Sorrows.
- Baldacchino by Giuseppi DiLeonardo, 1922
- Feast of the Holy Crucifix established 1922
- Annual procession held until the mid-1960s
- Centennial Mass celebrated 2008 with Bishop Walter Hurley
Our Lady of Sorrows School
Under the direction of Sr. Valeria, O.P., the parish school opened its doors on September 25, 1922, with 58 students in attendance. The first 8th grade class graduated in June of 1930, consisting of Rosa Popa, Lucia Azzarelli, Mary Azzarelli, Provedenzia Borrello, Rosa Longon, Domenica Spicuzza, Mariano Spicuzza, and Maria Dolci. The school was a cornerstone of the Italian-American community for decades.
- Opened September 25, 1922 under Sr. Valeria, O.P.
- 58 students at opening
- First 8th grade class graduated June 1930
Becoming a Bilingual / Hispanic Parish
The arrival of Rev. Theodore Kozlowski as pastor in 1995 transformed the parish: Hispanic/Latino Catholics found a place to gather and worship as a community, and today roughly 80% of the parish's 1,100 registered families are Hispanic, alongside Italian-descended and other families. Father Kozlowski had earlier celebrated the first Spanish Mass in the diocese in 1965. The parish is one of the diocese's principal bilingual faith communities, with English and Spanish weekend liturgies.
- Roughly 80% Hispanic/Latino among 1,100 registered families
- Sunday noon Mass celebrated entirely in Spanish
- Rev. Kozlowski welcomed the community beginning 1995
Sacraments
For information about the sacraments of baptism or marriage, or about the celebration of quinceañeras, parishioners and families are invited to contact the parish office at 616-243-0222. The parish's Hispanic community brings a rich tradition of quinceañera celebrations and other sacramental life events.
- Baptism
- Marriage
- Quinceañeras
Outreach & Charity
Our Lady of Sorrows is a parish that extends Christ's love in works of charity, justice, and mercy. A parish representative coordinates the home repair services job corps and food pantry — neighbors seeking assistance can call the parish office. As one of the diocese's key bilingual parishes, Our Lady of Sorrows is also a touchpoint for migrants and families in need across the southeast side.
- Home repair services job corps
- Parish food pantry
- Outreach to migrants and Hispanic families
Visit, Contact & Office Hours
The parish office at 116 Green Street, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49507 is open Tuesday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The phone number is 616-243-0222 and the fax is 616-243-6612; email is [email protected]. The worship site (the church itself) is at 101 Hall Street SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49507-1792, and the parish's business address is 245 Griggs St. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49507. The parish is clustered with the Shrine of St. Francis Xavier and Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in the Grand Rapids South Deanery of Kent County.
- Parish office: 116 Green Street, Grand Rapids, MI 49507
- Office hours: Tuesday–Friday, 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
- Phone: 616-243-0222 | Fax: 616-243-6612
- Email: [email protected]
- Worship site: 101 Hall St. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49507-1792
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Salvatore Cianci1908–1953
Founding pastor; came from Italy at the invitation of Bishop Henry J. Richter and Rev. John A. Schmitt; named the parish Santa Maria Addolorata; built the church at Sheldon and Hall dedicated Easter 1921; served 45 years.
- Msgr. Joseph Shaw1953–1955
Administrator during the transition.
- Rev. Ephram Davanzo, I.M.C.1955–1963
First of several Consolata Missionaries (I.M.C.) to pastor the parish.
- Rev. Louis Amadio, I.M.C.1963–1967
- Rev. Ephram Davanzo, I.M.C.1967–1970
Returned for a second term.
- Rev. James Racca, I.M.C.1970–1974
- Rev. Gerardo (Dino) Beretta, I.M.C.1974–1978
- Rev. Julian Reginato, I.M.C.1978–1985
- Rev. Robert Viscardi, I.M.C.1985–1988
- Rev. Dennis Morrow1988–1993
- Rev. Bernard Hall1993–1995
- Rev. Theodore Kozlowski1995–
Welcomed the growing Hispanic/Latino community; previously had celebrated the first Spanish Mass in the diocese in 1965.