About St. Anthony of Padua · Grand Rapids, Michigan
St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Community is a parish of the Diocese of Grand Rapids located on the northwest side of Grand Rapids, Michigan, at 2510 Richmond Street NW. Founded in 1906 by Father Otto Rezktenwald and a small group of Polish immigrant Catholics, the parish today serves roughly 1,700 registered families and operates its own preschool-through-8th-grade Catholic school. The current church building was constructed in 1994 and sits on a scenic, oak-shaded campus. The parish is pastored by Rev. Anthony M. (Tony) Pelak and is guided by the mission of being a welcoming community sustained by the Word and strengthened by the Sacraments, committed to knowing, loving, and serving God.
- Established
- 1906
- Patron
- St. Anthony of Padua
- Rector
- Rev. Anthony M. (Tony) Pelak
- Diocese
- Diocese of Grand Rapids (Grand Rapids North Deanery)
Why belong here
St. Anthony of Padua offers the warmth of a true neighborhood parish — '1,700 families strong, large enough to have our own dedicated preschool through 8th grade Catholic school, yet small enough where you won't feel lost in the shuffle.' The community runs the full range of parish life: weekday and Sunday Masses, weekly Eucharistic Adoration, the St. Anthony Novena on Tuesday evenings, an active St. Vincent de Paul conference, food pantry and Angel Tree outreach, faith formation for children and youth, OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults), and a livestreamed Saturday Mass for the homebound. Whether you're new to the Catholic faith, returning after time away, or a lifelong parishioner, the parish invites you to call it home.
Mass times at St. Anthony of Padua
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday: 5:30 PM
- Saturday: 3:30 PM
- By appointment through the parish office
Adoration times
- Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 6:30 PM (Chapel, Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament)
Welcome & Parish Mission
At St. Anthony of Padua, visitors find a Catholic community rooted in a genuine love of faith, service, and compassion. Nestled on the northwest side of Grand Rapids, the parish describes itself as a neighborhood church serving generations of families who have called it home for more than 100 years. With about 1,700 registered families, it is large enough to operate its own preschool-through-8th-grade Catholic school yet small enough that newcomers won't feel lost in the shuffle. Whether you are dipping a toe into the Catholic waters for the first time, returning after time away, or seeking the next leap of faith, the parish invites you on the journey.
- Parish Mission: 'We are a welcoming community — Sustained by the Word and strengthened by the Sacraments. Committed to knowing, loving and serving God.'
- Signed welcome letter from Father Tony Pelak
- 1,700 registered families
- Located on the northwest side of Grand Rapids
Parish History
St. Anthony of Padua Church was established on August 26, 1906 by Father Otto Rezktenwald and a small group of Catholics, and was named after St. Anthony of Padua — the Patron Saint for lost articles. The original church served a community of Polish immigrants along the Grand River in downtown Grand Rapids. A parish grade school opened its doors in 1907, and in 1957 the school relocated to its current 12-acre site on Richmond Street NW. The church itself was rebuilt/updated in 1994, and the school earned LEED certification in 2008.
- Founded August 26, 1906
- School opened 1907
- School moved to 2510 Richmond St NW in 1957
- Church rebuilt/updated in 1994
- School earned LEED certification in 2008
- Served generations of Polish-immigrant families
Mass, Sacraments & Devotions
St. Anthony of Padua celebrates weekend Masses on Saturday at 4:30 PM and on Sunday at 7:30, 9:00, and 11:30 AM. Weekday Masses are held Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 8:30 AM; Tuesday and Thursday mornings offer a Communion Service at 8:30 AM. The parish also celebrates a special St. Anthony Novena Mass on Tuesday evenings at 6:45 PM. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered Tuesday at 5:30 PM and Saturday at 3:30 PM, or by appointment.
- Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament: Tuesday 9:00 AM – 6:30 PM (Chapel)
- Rosary: Saturday 3:45 PM (before the 4:30 PM Mass)
- St. Anthony Novena Mass: Tuesday 6:45 PM
- Communion Service: Tuesday and Thursday 8:30 AM
Livestream Mass
St. Anthony of Padua livestreams the Saturday 4:30 PM Mass on its YouTube channel and Facebook page so parishioners who cannot attend in person can still participate. Livestream operators are periodically recruited — a service opportunity that can also count toward student service hours.
- Livestream Saturday 4:30 PM Mass
- Available on YouTube and Facebook
- Funeral Masses and other special events streamed by request
- Music licensed under ONE LICENSE #A-723010
- Contact: Ben Novitsky, Communications Coordinator — [email protected]
Parish Staff & Clergy
The parish is pastored by Father Tony Pelak and is supported by deacons, parish office staff, faith formation and youth ministry leaders, music ministry, and maintenance personnel.
- Rev. Tony Pelak — Pastor
- Deacon Leo Ferguson
- Deacon Stan Lechtanski (Retired)
- Kelly Carey — Office Manager
- Theresa Tuttle — Director of Religious Education & Faith Formation
- Director of Youth Ministry
- Ben Novitsky — Communications Coordinator
- Steve Stoffer — Bookkeeper
- Vonnie Clark — Music Director
- Zaven Mouradian — Music Ministry
- Ted Engstrom — Maintenance Supervisor
- Parish Secretary
Parish School
St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School educates roughly 265–275 students in preschool through 8th grade. It is led by Pastor Fr. Tony Pelak and Principal Jenny Pudelko. The school relocated to its current 12-acre Richmond Street NW campus in 1957 and was remodeled in 2008 to earn LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.
- Preschool through 8th grade
- Approximately 265–275 students
- Principal: Jenny Pudelko
- On the same campus as the parish church
- 12+ ministry outreach service opportunities per school year
- Facebook presence: facebook.com/SAPCatholicSchool
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish runs faith formation programming for children and youth, with Theresa Tuttle serving as Director of Religious Education & Faith Formation and a separate Director of Youth Ministry. Adult initiation is handled through the OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) team. Children's Liturgy of the Word is offered during Sunday Masses, and the parish welcomes catechists and school volunteers to share their gifts.
- Director of Religious Education & Faith Formation: Theresa Tuttle
- Director of Youth Ministry
- OCIA Team
- Religious Ed Catechist
- Children's Liturgy of the Word
Parish Life & Outreach Ministries
St. Anthony of Padua runs an extensive outreach ministry, including a St. Vincent de Paul conference, Project Family food pantry, Martha's Guild, Jail Ministry, an annual Blood Drive, Bereavement Ministry, Angel Tree gift drive, and Marriage Preparation / Sponsor Couples. The parish also invites parishioners to serve on the Tithing Committee, Finance Council, and Education Board of Directors, and to volunteer for parish life ministries.
- St. Vincent de Paul
- Project Family / Food Pantry
- Martha's Guild
- Jail Ministry
- Blood Drive
- Bereavement Ministry
- Angel Tree
- Marriage Preparation / Sponsor Couples
- Tithing Committee
- Education Board of Directors
- Finance Council
Music Ministry
The parish Music Ministry supports weekend and feast-day liturgies under the direction of Vonnie Clark, with Zaven Mouradian also serving in the program. Mass music is streamed under ONE LICENSE #A-723010.
- Music Director: Vonnie Clark
- Music Ministry: Zaven Mouradian
- All music streamed under ONE LICENSE #A-723010
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Otto Rezktenwald1906–
Founded the parish on August 26, 1906
- Father Bernard Zajdel
- Father Edmund Goldbach
- Father Raymond Oosdyke
- Father Fred Pasche
- Father Mark Przybysz
- Father Tony Pelak2023–present
Current pastor; ordained June 7, 2003