About Saints Peter and Paul · Grand Rapids, Michigan
SS. Peter and Paul Parish is a historic Roman Catholic parish on the near West Side of Grand Rapids, Michigan, established in 1904 by Bishop Henry Richter to serve the city's growing Lithuanian community, many of whom worked in the area's furniture factories. More than a century later, the parish at 520 Myrtle Street NW continues as an urban faith community of worship, faith formation for children and adults, an active cemetery, and a New Evangelization outreach. It belongs to the Diocese of Grand Rapids and is currently served by Father Mark F. Bauer as pastor.
- Established
- 1904
- Patron
- Saints Peter and Paul (Apostles)
- Rector
- Rev. Mark F. Bauer
- Diocese
- Diocese of Grand Rapids
Why belong here
SS. Peter and Paul is a small, mission-minded urban parish where people really know one another. The community offers daily and weekend Mass, Tuesday adoration, a robust family-based faith formation program for children, RCIA for adults exploring the Catholic faith, an active cemetery ministry with its own columbarium, and a clear commitment to the New Evangelization — welcoming newcomers from across West Michigan alongside families with deep generational ties to the parish's Lithuanian Catholic roots.
Mass times at Saints Peter and Paul
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesdays: 5:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
- Saturdays: 3:00 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.
Adoration times
- Tuesdays: 10:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
- First Fridays: 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Parish History
SS. Peter and Paul was established in 1904 by Bishop Henry Richter to serve Grand Rapids' growing Lithuanian Catholic community on the city's near West Side. The first Lithuanian settlers, Louis Galinis and Anthony Chiplis, arrived about 1885, and Bishop Richter determined that a national parish was needed once the population had grown to roughly 60 families and 170 single persons. After two years of organizing without a resident priest — during which Fr. Simon Ponganis of St. Adalbert's would ride in by horse and buggy to celebrate Mass — Fr. Wenceslaus V. Matulaitis was appointed founding pastor in 1904.
- Founded 1904 by Bishop Henry J. Richter for the Lithuanian Catholic community
- First pastor: Rev. Wenceslaus V. Matulaitis (1904–1912)
- Cornerstone of the original church-school building blessed April 23, 1905
- Parish school opened September 14, 1907 with 86 pupils, originally staffed by Dominican Sisters
- Cemetery land purchased April 28, 1914; consecrated July 11, 1915
- New church built in 1924; original structure converted entirely to school use
The Lithuanian Heritage and Today
For more than half a century, SS. Peter and Paul served as the spiritual and social anchor of Grand Rapids' Lithuanian community, which was concentrated near the furniture factories along the West Side. The Sisters of St. Francis of the Providence of God of Pittsburgh took over the school in 1928. After the Second World War the parish welcomed many new members, but in subsequent decades the neighborhood and congregation became more diverse and transient — a shift the parish embraces as a call to the New Evangelization, now drawing members from across the metro area alongside families tied to its ethnic roots.
Pastor and Staff
The parish is currently led by Father Mark F. Bauer. The parish staff is small and tight-knit, reflecting the community's modest size.
- Rev. Mark F. Bauer — Pastor ([email protected])
- Sally Augdahl — Parish Secretary / Bookkeeper ([email protected])
- Cathy Lindgren — Director of Faith Formation ([email protected])
- Daniel Victoor — Music Director
- Dennis Vainavicz — Business / Facilities Manager ([email protected])
Faith Formation and Religious Education
Faith formation at SS. Peter and Paul is built around the principle that parents are the primary educators of their children. The parish combines children's catechesis with adult faith formation so the whole family grows together.
Youth Faith Formation (CCD)
Families gather once a month on the first Sunday after the 9:30 a.m. Mass in the parish school building for community time. Children receive a monthly lesson from parish catechists in age-appropriate groups while parents meet separately for their own catechesis and support. Weekly at-home lessons — about an hour each, with games, activities, memory verses and quizzes — round out the program across the liturgical year. Contact: Cathy Lindgren at (616) 454-6000.
- Monthly family meetings on the first Sunday after 9:30 a.m. Mass
- Separate catechesis for children (by age group) and parents
- Weekly home lessons (~1 hour) reinforced by monthly materials
Adult Faith Formation
The Adult Faith Formation program is closely tied to the RCIA process. Participants meet Sunday mornings after the 9:30 a.m. Mass in the parish school, on the second floor, and the sessions are open to anyone — Catholic or not — who wants to grow in understanding of the faith.
- Sundays after the 9:30 a.m. Mass in the parish school
- Combined with RCIA — open to all adults, Catholics and non-Catholics
RCIA — Becoming Catholic
The RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) is described by the parish as 'a beautiful, gentle process' for those considering the Catholic faith. The four-period journey moves from inquiry (Sept–Nov), through study of the seven Sacraments, Ten Commandments and Beatitudes (Dec–Feb), into Lenten preparation for the Easter Vigil (mid-Feb to April), and finishes around Pentecost in late May. Materials — the Catechism of the Catholic Church and a Catholic Bible — are provided at no cost. There is no pressure to join; participants may observe freely. Lead catechists are Tim Lindgren and Mark Dipzinski, supported by additional catechists.
- Four-period journey: Inquiry → Study → Lenten preparation → Mystagogia
- Meets Sunday mornings after the 9:30 a.m. Mass in the school
- Catechists: Tim Lindgren and Mark Dipzinski
- Finishes around Pentecost; culminates in reception of Sacraments at the Easter Vigil
Cemetery and Columbarium
SS. Peter and Paul Cemetery, on Preston Avenue NW, has been part of the parish since 1914, when Fr. John Gervickas directed the purchase of ten acres for the original 'park style' cemetery. Bishop Richter consecrated it on July 11, 1915. Today the cemetery contains more than 3,000 ground lots across nine sections and is open daily from dawn to dusk. In Fall 2021 the parish added a new Columbarium and Memorial Garden — a project initiated by parishioners honoring a promise to their fathers — that includes 334 companion niches in the Memorial Garden (eventually expanding to 850) and 168 companion niches in the Pavilion. A volunteer SSPP Columbarium & Cemetery Committee assists with sales and administration, and the parish uses PlotBox cemetery software to maintain records, including a 'Find A Grave' feature on its website. Niches and plots are available to people of all faiths.
- Cemetery address (physical): 1712 Preston Ave NW / 1750 Preston Ave. NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504
- Mailing: 2000 Walker Ave. NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504-2500
- Cemetery phone: 616-453-1636
- Hours: 7 days a week, dawn to dusk
- Over 3,000 ground lots across nine sections
- Columbarium & Memorial Garden completed Fall 2021
- Available to people of all faiths
Getting Involved / New Members
Newcomers are warmly welcomed. The parish maintains a simple online registration form for those who wish to become members, and Mass times, formation programs, and the cemetery office are all ways to plug into parish life.
- Online 'Become a Member' registration available on the parish website
- Parish office hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Wenceslaus V. MatulaitisDecember 1904 – February 1912
Founding pastor; oversaw construction of church-school building and opening of parish school
- Rev. John A. GervickasFebruary 1912 – November 1917
Served first as assistant (1911–1912) then pastor; purchased cemetery land in 1914
- Rev. John A. Schmitt (administrator)November 1917 – August 1918
- Rev. Anthony S. Dexnis (administrator)August 1918 – September 1925
- Msgr. Anthony Volkert (administrator)September 1925 – October 1925
- Msgr. Joseph A. LipkusOctober 1925 – July 1961
- Msgr. Walter F. JudeJuly 1961 – November 1971
- Rev. Albert R. BernottNovember 1971 – June 30, 1981
- Rev. Kenneth H. SchichtelJune 30, 1981 – January 1992
- Rev. Thomas F. BouffordJanuary 1992 – September 1993
- Rev. Dennis W. MorrowSeptember 1993 –
Most recent pastor listed in the parish's published history PDF