About Our Lady Queen of Heaven - Good Shepherd Community · Detroit, Michigan
Our Lady Queen of Heaven – Good Shepherd Community is a Catholic parish in the Archdiocese of Detroit, currently worshiping at 8200 Rolyat Street on Detroit's east side. It is a merger of two storied parish histories: Our Lady Queen of Heaven (founded 1929 for Polish immigrants in the Van Dyke / Seven Mile / Outer Drive area) and Good Shepherd (formed in July 2006 from the consolidation of Annunciation, Our Lady of Sorrows, St. Anthony of Padua, and St. Rose of Lima parishes in the Indian Village / Berry Subdivision neighborhood), which officially came together on January 11, 2016. Under the pastorate of Rev. Dr. Michael C. Nkachukwu, the community is known for its diverse ministries, its support of an Igbo-language Mass every third Sunday, and its annual "Good Times Festival."
- Established
- 1929 (Our Lady Queen of Heaven); 2006 (Good Shepherd); merged 2016
- Patron
- Our Lady Queen of Heaven (Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of Heaven)
- Rector
- Rev. Dr. Michael C. Nkachukwu
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Detroit (Vicarate: Genesis Vicariate / formerly Renaissance Vicariate; Region: Central Region; Family of Parishes: Central Genesis 2)
Why belong here
Our Lady Queen of Heaven – Good Shepherd is a diverse, faith-filled community that welcomes newcomers whether they've just moved to Detroit or have lived there for generations. Active Commissions and Councils (Christian Service, Education, Evangelization, Finance, Stewardship, and Worship) work alongside ministries for Eucharistic devotion, hospitality, lectors, music, outreach, young people, elders, and nursing-home scripture services, so there is a place for almost any talent or interest. The parish is also notable for celebrating an Igbo Mass every third Sunday and for hosting the annual "Good Times Festival," while still keeping the historic Donaldson & Meier Romanesque church available for weddings, funerals, and special occasions.
Mass times at Our Lady Queen of Heaven - Good Shepherd Community
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- First Saturdays, 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM at OLQH-GS (8200 Rolyat)
- Other Saturdays, 3:45 PM – 4:00 PM at St. Raymond – Our Lady of Good Counsel (20103 Joann)
- By appointment – call the parish office at 313-527-0525
Parish Identity & Mission
Our Lady Queen of Heaven – Good Shepherd Community describes itself as "a diverse, faith-filled, dynamic Catholic community guided by the Holy Spirit, committed to proclaiming the Word of God through prayer, Eucharistic worship and sacraments, acts of faith, hope, evangelization, charity, outreach and a genuine love exhibiting mutual respect, unity, trust, commitment and concern for all our brothers and sisters within the neighborhood we serve." The parish belongs to the Central Genesis 2 Family of Parishes within the Genesis Vicariate of the Archdiocese of Detroit, and previously to the Renaissance Vicariate composed of 17 Detroit parishes.
- Mission statement emphasizing diversity, prayer, sacraments, evangelization, and outreach
- Member of the Central Genesis 2 Family of Parishes
- Genesis Vicariate (formerly Renaissance Vicariate), Central Region, Archdiocese of Detroit
- Welcomes new residents to the Detroit area and longtime locals alike
History of OLQH & Good Shepherd
The parish is the product of two remarkable Detroit histories now woven together. Our Lady Queen of Heaven traces back to 1929 and the Polish immigrant families of the Van Dyke / Seven Mile / Outer Drive area, while Good Shepherd descends from Annunciation parish (1906) in the Indian Village / Berry Subdivision neighborhood and absorbed Our Lady of Sorrows, St. Anthony, and St. Rose of Lima through the 2000s.
- 1929 – Fr. Albert Mrowka founds OLQH on land from the Hafeli farm
- 1906 – Bishop John Foley establishes Annunciation parish at Parkview and Agnes
- 1912 – Annunciation church dedicated Christmas Day in the Romanesque style by Donaldson & Meier
- 2000 – Our Lady of Sorrows merges with Annunciation
- July 2006 – Good Shepherd parish formed from Annunciation, OLOS, St. Anthony, St. Rose
- January 11, 2016 – Good Shepherd and Our Lady Queen of Heaven officially merge
Mass & Worship Schedule
The main worship site at 8200 Rolyat hosts Sunday and weekday Masses, with weekday Masses celebrated in the chapel. Saturday evening Mass rotates between OLQH-Good Shepherd (first two Saturdays) and St. Raymond – Our Lady of Good Counsel (remaining Saturdays). An Igbo Mass is celebrated every third Sunday, and the 9:00 AM Sunday Mass is livestreamed.
- Sunday 9:00 AM (livestreamed) – English
- Sunday (3rd of month) – Igbo Mass
- Saturday 4:00 PM – alternating sites
- Mon/Tues/Thurs/Fri 10:30 AM – in Chapel
Commissions & Councils
The parish runs its mission through six commissions/councils that cover the breadth of parish life, from evangelization and finance to worship and stewardship.
- Christian Service
- Education
- Evangelization
- Finance
- Stewardship
- Worship
Ministries & Groups
A wide range of ministries invite parishioners of all ages and talents into service, from liturgical roles like Eucharistic Ministry, Lectors, and Music, to outreach and hospitality. Social life is anchored by the Social Club, the Men's Group "The Men of Shepherd," and the annual Good Times Festival.
- Eucharistic Ministry
- Elders Ministry
- Hospitality Ministry
- Lectors
- Music / Choir
- Young People Ministry
- Outreach
- Food at the Door
- Nursing Home Scripture Services
- Parish Catechetical Leaders
- Social Club
- "The Men of Shepherd" Men's Group
- Ushers
- Annual Good Times Festival
Heritage & Alumni Networks
Because the community was born from multiple predecessor parishes, active alumni groups keep each legacy alive and provide ongoing support, prayer, and service to the merged parish.
- Alumni of Annunciation
- Alumni of Our Lady of Sorrows
- Alumni of St. Anthony (Class of 1961)
- St. Anthony Alumni Classmates Message Board
- Alumni of St. Rose of Lima
The Connection (Young Adults)
The parish supports The Connection, a vicariate-wide ministry that connects Detroit young adults ages 18–35 with opportunities to worship, share faith, provide service and outreach, socialize, take part in catechesis, and develop leadership.
- Worship opportunities for ages 18–35
- Service and outreach projects
- Catechesis and leadership development
Historic Church & Special Occasions
The 1265 Parkview Street building – the former Annunciation church designed by Donaldson & Meier in 1911 and dedicated in 1912 – remains available for weddings, funerals, and special occasions. It is Romanesque in style with small-scaled towers, a large lantern over the crossing, chancel windows depicting the Seven Sacraments, and a large crucifix suspended above the freestanding altar.
- Romanesque style, designed by Donaldson & Meier
- Dedicated Christmas Day 1912
- Chancel windows depicting the Seven Sacraments
- Large crucifix above freestanding altar
- Available for weddings, funerals, and special occasions
Igbo Catholic Community
An Igbo Mass is celebrated at OLQH-Good Shepherd every third Sunday, supported by S.S.J. (Society of St. Joseph) clergy including Deacon Justus Ihemawulotu and priests of Nigerian heritage, providing a familiar spiritual home for Igbo Catholics in the Detroit area.
- Igbo Mass every 3rd Sunday
- S.S.J. clergy in residence
- Welcomes Detroit-area Igbo Catholics
Visit, Contact & Streaming
Parish office hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The 9:00 AM Sunday Mass is livestreamed on the parish's Facebook page and YouTube channel so absent parishioners and visitors can worship remotely.
- Office: 8200 Rolyat, Detroit, MI 48234
- Office hours: Mon–Fri 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Phone: 313-891-4553
- Email: [email protected]
- Sunday 9:00 AM Mass livestreamed
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Albert Mrowka1929–
Founding pastor of Our Lady Queen of Heaven, sent from St. Michael parish, Port Austin
- Msgr. James Stapleton1906–1942
Founder and first pastor of Annunciation parish (Good Shepherd lineage)
- Fr. Thomas J. Carroll
Pastor of Annunciation during its Golden Age
- Fr. P.G. McSherry
Pastor of Annunciation
- Fr. Arnold Q. Schneider
Pastor of Annunciation
- Msgr. Wilbur Suedkampuntil death in 1987
Annunciation pastor
- Fr. Valentine Gattariuntil July 1, 1998
Annunciation pastor
- Rev. Dr. Michael C. Nkachukwu1998–present
Co-pastor of Annunciation and St. Anthony (1998), pastor of Good Shepherd (2006) and Our Lady Queen of Heaven – Good Shepherd (2016)