About St. Charles · Greenville, Michigan
St. Charles Borromeo Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in Greenville, Michigan, part of the Diocese of Grand Rapids. The parish traces its roots to 1859, when Father Henry Rievers of Parnell celebrated the first Mass in Greenville in the home of Patrick and Anna McDonald; the parish itself was formally established in 1875 under the patronage of St. Charles Borromeo by Father Charles Bolte of Ionia. Today the parish is clustered with St. Joseph–St. Mary Parish in Belding (a partnership formed in 2012) and operates the parish school, St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School, a preschool-through-8th-grade community on a full city block in downtown Greenville. The parish gathers for Sunday Mass at 11:00 a.m. in its current church building, which was dedicated in 1997 after the previous mission-style church on Franklin and Oak Streets was destroyed by lightning in 1994.
- Established
- 1875
- Patron
- St. Charles Borromeo
- Rector
- Rev. Andrew M. Ayers (appointed by Bishop Walkowiak effective July 1, 2026; succeeds Rev. James B. Wyse, who has been on medical leave).
- Diocese
- Diocese of Grand Rapids
Why belong here
St. Charles Borromeo offers a warm, Christ-centered community in downtown Greenville with daily Morning Prayer, a strong Eucharistic Adoration tradition on Wednesdays, an active OCIA process for those becoming Catholic or returning to the faith, and a vibrant parish school serving preschool through 8th grade where 40% of students are not Catholic. The parish is supported by a network of councils (Pastoral, Finance, Buildings & Grounds, Liturgy/Worship, Cemetery) and ministries that make it easy to plug in. A short letter from the pastor frames the community as 'a family of Christ-centered disciples empowered by the Holy Spirit to build up the Kingdom of God through prayer, study, generosity and evangelization.'
Mass times at St. Charles
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. (currently paused while Fr. Jim is on medical leave)
- Temporarily: Saturdays at 3:00 p.m. at St. Joseph Church in Belding (with Fr. Tom Brown, prior to Mass)
- Tuesdays: 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at St. Joseph (paused until Fr. Jim returns from medical leave)
- By appointment: call the St. Charles Borromeo office
Adoration times
- Wednesday: 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. Adoration with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
- Wednesday: 9:00 a.m. Mass precedes Adoration (when weekday Masses are in session)
Parish History
Catholic life in Greenville began in 1859 when Father Henry Rievers from Parnell gathered five families in the McDonald home for the first Mass. The parish itself was founded in 1875 by Father Charles Bolte of Ionia, who placed it under the patronage of St. Charles Borromeo. Over the next century and a quarter the parish has built and rebuilt its home church, expanded its school, and — in 2012 — entered a clustering partnership with St. Joseph–St. Mary in Belding as part of the Diocese of Grand Rapids's 'Our Faith, Our Future Plan.'
- 1859 – First Mass in Greenville, in the home of Patrick and Anna McDonald (Benton & Webster Streets)
- 1875 – Father Charles Bolte founds the parish; first Mass celebrated September 12, 1875 (Maple Street church)
- 1912 – Parish purchases the Slaght home and two-thirds of the surrounding block on Franklin Street
- 1913 – Maple Street church dismantled; materials reused to build a basement church facing Benton Street (today's activities building)
- 1914 – Father Bolte becomes resident pastor (serves until 1918)
- 1934 – Father William Flannery builds a mission-style church at Franklin and Oak Streets
- 1976 – Mission-style church expanded and modernized
- 1994 – Lightning strikes and destroys the church
- March 16, 1997 – Present church dedicated
- 2012 – St. Charles clustered with newly merged St. Joseph–St. Mary parish (Belding)
Pastoral Team
Father Jim Wyse, who has been pastor of the clustered parishes, is currently on medical leave. The Diocese of Grand Rapids has appointed Father Andrew M. Ayers to serve as the next pastor of both St. Charles and St. Joseph–St. Mary effective July 1, 2026. Father Tom Brown is assisting during the transition, hearing confessions and celebrating the Friday school Mass. Deacon Jene Baughman also serves the parish.
- Father Andrew Ayers – Pastor (effective July 1, 2026); [email protected]
- Father James B. Wyse – Pastor, on medical leave
- Father Tom Brown – Assisting priest
- Father Bauer – Priest in residence
- Deacon Jene Baughman – [email protected]
Parish Staff
The parish is supported by a small but full staff handling faith formation, music, business, communications, and facilities across the St. Charles (Greenville) and St. Joseph–St. Mary (Belding) campuses.
- Tessa Hoffman – Religious Education & Youth Ministry Coordinator ([email protected])
- Elijah Jeffers – O.C.I.A. and Returning Catholics Coordinator ([email protected])
- Karin Kwiet-Darvill – Business Manager & Assistant Music Director ([email protected])
- Kathleen Lally – Director of Music (as of Aug. 1)
- Jennifer Hudson – Bulletin Editor ([email protected])
- Dan Evans – Maintenance (St. Charles)
- Dani Cross – Custodian (St. Charles)
- Dan Feuerstein – Maintenance (St. Mary)
- Mark Emmons – Custodian (St. Joseph)
Becoming Catholic & Returning Catholics
The parish runs an Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (O.C.I.A.) process for those exploring Catholicism, alongside a parallel 'Returning to the Faith' ministry for those who have drifted away. Both programs welcome seekers with no commitment, providing a prayerful, learning environment staffed by volunteer parishioners and staff. Coordinator: Elijah Jeffers ([email protected], ext. 125).
- O.C.I.A. – Order of Christian Initiation for Adults
- Returning to the Faith program (Molly Boeheim, ext. 125, [email protected])
- Welcomes baptized Christians from other traditions
- Welcomes unbaptized seekers
- Journey culminates in Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist at the Easter Vigil
Faith Formation & Youth Ministry
Faith formation is coordinated parish-wide by Tessa Hoffman, who also leads Youth Ministry. The parish also provides online formation through the Formed platform, with daily reflections and seasonal content for Advent, Lent, and beyond.
- Religious Education / Faith Formation
- Youth Ministry
- Formed – online Catholic faith platform
- Formed Daily Reflections
- First Reconciliation & First Communion preparation (2nd grade, in the school)
- Confirmation preparation
St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School
St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School is a preschool-through-8th-grade Catholic school serving about 105 students in downtown Greenville at 502 S. Franklin Street. Forty percent of its students are not Catholic. The school is dedicated to building the Christian community, teaching the message of Jesus, providing a quality education, and participating in Catholic worship through instruction, example, and environment. It is accredited through the Michigan Association of Non-Public Schools.
- Type: Preschool through 8th grade; 40% non-Catholic enrollment
- Location: 502 S. Franklin St., Greenville, MI 48838
- Accreditation: Michigan Association of Non-Public Schools
- Average class size: 16 students
- Campus: 1 full city block; 9 classrooms, library, gym, music room, lunch room, church, outdoor STEM classroom, playground
- School day: 7:25 a.m. – 2:10 p.m.; doors open at 7:00 a.m.; after-school care until 5:30 p.m.
- Tuition (K-8): $4,300 one child / $6,900 two / $7,900 three or more
- All-day kindergarten offered
- Friday all-school Mass at 1:00 p.m.; Wednesday Mass for grades 4–8
- Extracurriculars: girls' and boys' basketball (grades 3–8), girls' volleyball (5–8), track (5–8), children's choir, Christmas and spring plays
- Bus transportation provided through Greenville Public Schools
- Special services via Montcalm Area Intermediate School District
School History
Catholic education in Greenville began as St. Charles Academy in 1919 in the Slaght family home on the site of today's playground. The academy closed in 1927 due to low enrollment but was reopened by Rev. Anthony Bourdow in 1946, with classes held on the first floor of the parish convent at Benton and Franklin streets. A modern five-classroom school opened on Franklin Street in 1956, with two more classrooms and a gymnasium added in 1963. When the present church was built in 1997, its lower level added two classrooms, a music room, and additional shared parish/school space.
- 1919 – St. Charles Academy opens in the Slaght family home
- 1927 – Academy closes due to lack of enrollment
- 1946 – Rev. Anthony Bourdow reopens the school in the parish convent
- 1956 – Modern five-classroom school opens on Franklin Street
- 1963 – Two classrooms and gymnasium added
- 1997–98 – Church lower level adds two classrooms, music room, and shared space
Councils & Groups
Parishioners are invited to participate in the councils and committees that guide the life and facilities of the clustered parishes.
- Pastoral Council of St. Charles & St. Joseph-St. Mary
- St. Charles Finance Council
- St. Joseph-St. Mary Finance Council
- St. Charles Buildings & Grounds
- Liturgy / Worship committee
- St. Charles Cemetery Committee
- St. Joseph-St. Mary Cemeteries committee
Stewardship & Online Formation
The parish frames stewardship as 'A Way of Life' — inviting parishioners to share time, talent, and treasure. Online faith formation is offered through Formed, with introductions, daily reflections, and seasonal studies.
- Stewardship – A Way of Life
- Formed Introduction
- Be Informed! (parish bulletin/communications)
- Formed Daily Reflections
- Pass It On (evangelization resource)
Sacraments
Information about all seven sacraments is available on the parish website, with contact details for each. Sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation and First Communion takes place in the school setting in 2nd grade.
- Baptism
- First Communion
- Reconciliation (First Reconciliation in 2nd grade)
- Confirmation
- Matrimony
- Holy Orders (vocations inquiries to Fr. Jim Wyse, Fr. Bauer, or Rev. Ronald Hutchinson at the diocese)
- Anointing of the Sick
Music Ministry
Music at St. Charles Borromeo is led by Director of Music Kathleen Lally (starting August 1) with Karin Kwiet-Darvill serving as both Business Manager and Assistant Music Director. The parish also runs a children's choir through the school.
- Kathleen Lally – Director of Music
- Karin Kwiet-Darvill – Assistant Music Director
- Children's Choir (school)
Office & Contact Information
The parish office is located at 505 S. Lafayette St. in Greenville, with hours Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The clustered St. Joseph–St. Mary office in Belding (409 S. Bridge St.) is open Tuesday and Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The school office is at 502 S. Franklin St. and can be reached at (616) 754-3416 or [email protected].
- Parish phone: (616) 754-4194
- Rectory: (616) 754-3512
- Fax: (616) 754-2357
- School phone: (616) 754-3416
- Office hours: Monday – Friday, 9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Mailing address: 505 S. Lafayette St., Greenville, MI 48838
- Clustered parish: St. Joseph–St. Mary, 409 S. Bridge St., Belding, MI 48809, (616) 794-2145
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Henry Rievers1859 (first Mass in Greenville)
Came from Parnell; celebrated the first Mass in the McDonald home.
- Father Charles Bolte1875–1918
Of Ionia; founded St. Charles Borromeo parish in 1875 and built the Maple Street church. Became resident pastor in 1914 and served until 1918.
- Father William Flannery1934
Supervised construction of the mission-style church at Franklin and Oak Streets.
- Father Anthony Bourdow1946
Reopened the parish school.
- Rev. James B. (Jim) Wysethrough 2026 (on medical leave)
Pastor at the time of clustering; currently on medical leave. Farewell reception held for Fr. Jim.
- Rev. Andrew M. AyersEffective July 1, 2026
Appointed by Bishop Walkowiak; will be pastor of both St. Charles, Greenville, and St. Joseph-St. Mary, Belding.