About Our Lady of the Angels · Taylor, Michigan
Our Lady of the Angels is a Roman Catholic parish in Taylor, Michigan, in the Archdiocese of Detroit. The parish was formed in late 2007 from the merger of two Taylor parishes — St. Cyril of Jerusalem (founded 1953) and St. Paschal Baylon (founded 1956) — and continues the worshipping community at the former St. Cyril site on Pelham Road. Today the parish is served by its second pastor, Rev. Dariusz Strzalkowski, with weekend Masses on Saturday evening and Sunday morning, weekday Masses Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, Eucharistic Adoration on Thursdays, and a religious education program now run jointly with its Family of Parishes partner, St. Frances Cabrini in Allen Park.
- Established
- 2007
- Patron
- Our Lady of the Angels
- Rector
- Rev. Dariusz Strzalkowski
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Detroit
Why belong here
Our Lady of the Angels is a close-knit worshipping community in the Downriver area with daily and weekend Masses, weekly Eucharistic Adoration on Thursdays from morning until 6:00 PM, and a regular rhythm of prayer groups including a Women of Prayer gathering on the 2nd and 4th Fridays and a Men's Prayer Group every Monday evening. The parish offers the full Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA), sacramental preparation, and — through its Family of Parishes partnership with St. Frances Cabrini in Allen Park — a combined religious education program for children. Members describe a community that explicitly welcomes newcomers and invites them onto the journey of faith together.
Mass times at Our Lady of the Angels
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00 PM
- Or by appointment (contact the office at 313-381-3000 to schedule with Father D)
Adoration times
- Thursday 8:45 AM (after Mass) – 6:00 PM
Parish History
Our Lady of the Angels was formed in 2007 from the merger of two Taylor parishes — St. Cyril of Jerusalem (founded 1953) and St. Paschal Baylon (founded 1956). Bishop Reiss consecrated the new parish at the former St. Cyril site on Pelham Road at the 4:00 PM Mass on December 1, 2007, and Fr. Bernard Fraser was installed as the first pastor.
- St. Cyril of Jerusalem founded June 1953 by Fr. Carlson Robideau
- St. Paschal Baylon established June 22, 1956 by Cardinal Edward Mooney
- St. Paschal Baylon closed November 24, 2007; St. Cyril closed November 25, 2007
- Our Lady of the Angels consecrated December 1, 2007 by Bishop Reiss
- Fr. Dariusz Strzalkowski installed as second pastor July 1, 2009
St. Cyril of Jerusalem (predecessor parish)
Founded in June 1953 with Fr. Carlson Robideau as founding pastor, St. Cyril of Jerusalem grew rapidly in Taylor Township. The first Mass was celebrated July 10, 1953 at Sudman School in Allen Park. Ground was broken November 8, 1953 for a church seating 1,000, built at a cost of $125,000; parishioners completed much of the interior themselves. Cardinal Mooney dedicated the finished church on October 26, 1954 with the words, 'Where people do so much of their own handiwork as you have put into the building of your church… St. Cyril will be for long years the dwelling of God among you.'
- First Mass in new church: September 26, 1954 (1,600 people)
- St. Cyril School opened September 5, 1956 (Grades 1–8)
- Renovated 1979–80; re-dedicated by Bishop Schoenherr December 21, 1980
- Sanctuary updated January–February 2006
- 50th anniversary liturgy celebrated by Cardinal Adam Maida October 12, 2003
St. Paschal Baylon (predecessor parish)
Established by Cardinal Mooney on June 22, 1956 and named for the Spanish Franciscan devoted to the Holy Eucharist, St. Paschal Baylon was led from its founding by Rev. Francis P. Kozlowski (1956–1970). Parishioners first assembled at Harmonia Park Hall and then Blair Moody School before ground was broken for their own church on January 1, 1957. The first Mass was celebrated on the feast of the Nativity of Mary, September 8, 1957 in the still-incomplete structure, and the cornerstone was blessed at the first Solemn Mass on October 27, 1957 by Msgr. Tobias G. Morin, Dean of the Southwest Deanery.
- Parish school opened 1964 under the Sisters of St. Joseph; closed 1972
- School reopened August 30, 1982 with over 180 students in K–7
- Pastors: Kozlowski, McNamara, Malloy, Fisher, Macey, Cislo, Czarnecki
- St. Paschal Baylon closed November 24, 2007
Prayer Groups
Two ongoing prayer groups give parishioners regular opportunities to gather outside of Mass: Women of Prayer meets on the 2nd and 4th Friday of each month at 9:30 AM in the St. Ann Meeting Room, and the Men's Prayer Group meets every Monday at 7:00 PM.
- Women of Prayer — 2nd & 4th Friday, 9:30 AM, St. Ann Meeting Room
- Men's Prayer Group — every Monday, 7:00 PM
Religious Education & RCIA
Our Lady of the Angels has combined its Religious Education program with its Family of Parishes partner, St. Frances Cabrini in Allen Park. Registration and program details are handled through the Cabrini parish website (cabriniparish.org/religious-education). The parish also offers the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA), the formal process by which adults are initiated into the Catholic Church through the Sacraments of Initiation — Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation — with stages including the Period of Inquiry, Catechumenate, Rite of Election, reception at the Easter Vigil, and Mystagogy.
- Religious Education registration via St. Frances Cabrini
- RCIA — for unbaptized adults and baptized Christians seeking full communion
- Sacraments of Initiation celebrated at the Easter Vigil
- Mystagogy period after reception
Parish Staff
Our Lady of the Angels is served by Pastor Fr. Dariusz Strzalkowski, two deacons, and a small staff of lay ministers and support personnel. Inquiries can be directed through the parish office at (313) 381-3000.
- Rev. Dariusz Strzalkowski — Pastor
- Deacon Bill Thome
- Deacon Dan Hurley
- Rose Zakrezwski — Parish Secretary (x102)
- Linda Cable — Coordinator of Christian Outreach (x110)
- Patty Baringer — Bookkeeper
- Dennis Crandell — Organist
- Christopher Kowalczyk — Maintenance
- Christopher Schwartz — Maintenance
Visiting & Staying Connected
Newcomers and visitors are warmly welcomed. The parish office is open Monday–Tuesday and Thursday–Friday from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM (closed Wednesdays). To stay informed of schedule changes, weather cancellations and events, parishioners can sign up for 'Calling Post' group messaging by texting ANGELS to 24251.
- Office hours: Mon–Tue, Thu–Fri, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
- Calling Post: text ANGELS to 24251
- Phone: (313) 381-3000 — Fax: (313) 381-5528
- Address: 6442 Pelham Rd, Taylor, MI 48180
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Bernard Fraser2007-2009
First pastor of Our Lady of the Angels; had served as fifth and last pastor of St. Cyril of Jerusalem from August 17, 2003.
- Fr. Dariusz Strzalkowski2009-present
Second pastor; installed July 1, 2009; also celebrates Mass in Polish at Our Lady of the Scapular in Wyandotte.