About St. Cornelius · Dryden, Michigan
St. Cornelius Catholic Church is a small rural Catholic parish serving Dryden, Michigan, in the Thumb region of the Lower Peninsula. Founded in 1957 as a mission of the Archdiocese of Detroit, the parish became a fully independent parish in 1995 and today forms part of the Northwest Thumb 2 Family of Parishes alongside Sacred Heart in Imlay City and Immaculate Conception in Lapeer. Worship is offered at its 3834 North Mill Street campus, where the original 1958 building (now Dunn Hall) still stands next to the present church dedicated by Bishop Flores on February 8, 2009. The parish describes itself as a warm country community where everyone is welcome.
- Established
- 1957
- Patron
- St. Cornelius (Pope and Martyr)
- Rector
- Rev. Charles Altermatt (Moderator / Priest in Solidum for St. Cornelius and Sacred Heart Parishes)
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Detroit (Thumb Vicariate, Northwest Region; Family of Parishes: Northwest Thumb 2)
Why belong here
St. Cornelius welcomes visitors to a small, rural Catholic community in the heart of the Thumb. Weekend Mass is offered Saturday at 4:00 pm and Sunday at 8:00 am, with weekday Mass on Wednesday and Friday mornings and Confessions and Adoration before the Saturday Vigil. The parish supports Family Faith Formation for children, OCIA (RCIA) for adults seeking initiation, an active cluster Youth Ministry, a Music Ministry, and a parish-wide Building Fund so newcomers can share in sustaining the new church dedicated in 2009. It is part of the Northwest Thumb 2 Family of Parishes, meaning worshippers also have access to neighboring parish life at Sacred Heart (Imlay City) and Immaculate Conception (Lapeer).
Mass times at St. Cornelius
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 3:00–3:45 PM at St. Cornelius
- Sunday: 11:00–11:45 AM at Sacred Heart (cluster partner in Imlay City)
- Before/after weekday Mass, or by appointment through the parish office
Adoration times
- Saturday: 3:00 PM (immediately before the 4:00 PM Vigil Mass)
About St. Cornelius Parish
St. Cornelius is a small rural Catholic parish in the village of Dryden, Michigan, in the Thumb of the Lower Peninsula. The parish community gathers at 3834 North Mill Street and describes itself as a place where 'everyone is welcome.' It belongs to the Archdiocese of Detroit's Northwest Thumb 2 Family of Parishes, sharing priests and programming with Sacred Heart in Imlay City and Immaculate Conception in Lapeer.
- Small rural parish in Dryden, Michigan
- Family of Parishes: Northwest Thumb 2
- Cluster partners: Sacred Heart (Imlay City) and Immaculate Conception (Lapeer)
- Archdiocese of Detroit — Thumb Vicariate, Northwest Region
History of the Parish
Founded in 1957 as a mission church and elevated to parish status in 1995, St. Cornelius has grown from a handful of families meeting in the local library to a multi-building campus serving the surrounding countryside. Major milestones include construction of the original 1958 church (now Dunn Hall), a 1986 worship-space addition, the 1995 transition to parish status, a 2001 office/formation building, and the February 8, 2009 dedication of the present church by Bishop Flores.
- 1957 — parish formed; first Masses held upstairs in the current Dryden Public Library
- 1958 — original church built (now Dunn Hall)
- 1986 — 2,400 sq ft worship addition completed
- 1995 (Sept 25) — mission becomes a parish; Fr. Wayne G. Ureel welcomed as first pastor; rectory built
- 1996 — large garage completed for storage
- 1997 — fourth weekend Mass added; initial plans drawn for a new church
- 1998 — Deacon Don Cox assigned to the parish
- 2001 — 3,000 sq ft building for Admin and Family Faith Formation offices; Building Fund established
- 2007 (July 8) — groundbreaking for the new church
- 2009 (Feb 8) — Bishop Flores dedicates the new church
Sacramental Preparation
St. Cornelius prepares parishioners of all ages for the sacraments of initiation and healing. Children's sacraments are coordinated through the Office of Faith Formation; adults journey through the OCIA (formerly RCIA) process.
Baptism
Infant Baptism requires parents to be registered and active members of the parish for at least three months before arranging the baptism, and both parents and godparents must attend a preparation class. Expectant parents are encouraged to contact the Parish Office before the baby is born.
- 3-month active membership prerequisite
- Preparation class required for parents and godparents
First Holy Eucharist
First Holy Communion is typically received in the second grade through the Office of Faith Formation; older children are also prepared, and adults receive the sacrament through OCIA.
Confirmation
Confirmation completes the sacraments of initiation and is most often received in the early teen years via Faith Formation classes. Baptized adults seeking Confirmation are invited into OCIA; the sacrament is typically celebrated by a bishop.
Anointing of the Sick
Anointing of the Sick is celebrated three times a year at a Mass for Healing and individually any time a person is seriously ill, before surgery, or while hospitalized. Home-bound parishioners may arrange for Holy Communion by contacting the Parish Office.
- Three yearly Healing Masses
- Available for the seriously ill, before scheduled surgery, or in hospital
- Home-bound Communion visits on request
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Family Faith Formation (Director: Julie Allison) coordinates sacramental preparation and ongoing religious education for the parish's children and families. The parish operates out of the 3,000-square-foot office and formation building constructed in 2001.
- Family Faith Formation classes
- Sacramental preparation (First Eucharist, Confirmation)
- Office housed in 2001 parish building
OCIA / RCIA (Adult Initiation)
OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, formerly RCIA) is the Church's gateway for adults seeking full initiation. Classes are held at Immaculate Conception Church in Lapeer on Monday evenings, led by Fr. Brian Hurley. Baptized adults seeking Confirmation are also welcomed into this process. Father Hurley additionally hosts ongoing adult religious education classes.
- Classes meet Monday evenings
- Location: Immaculate Conception Church, Lapeer
- Led by Fr. Brian Hurley — (810) 664-8594
- Includes adult Confirmation preparation
Youth Ministry
Cluster Youth Ministry offers teens a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ through Community, Christian Service, Pastoral Care, Advocacy and Leadership development, accompanied by a team of adults. Contact Deanna White at 810-395-2301.
- Community
- Christian Service
- Pastoral Care
- Advocacy & Leadership development
- Contact: Deanna White, 810-395-2301
Music Ministry
Music Ministry at St. Cornelius is coordinated by Holly Shanefelt and supports weekend and weekday liturgies.
- Led by Holly Shanefelt
Parish Staff & Council
The pastoral team is shared across the Northwest Thumb 2 cluster. Along with the priests and deacon assigned to St. Cornelius, parish staff handle office administration, facilities, finances, faith formation, music and the parish website. A Parish Pastoral Council and Worship Commission provide lay leadership.
- Rev. Charles Altermatt — Moderator/Priest in Solidum
- Rev. Brian Hurley — Priest in Solidum
- Deacon Lenard Butler — St. Cornelius
- Deacon Joe Hulway — Immaculate Conception
- Holly Shanefelt — Office Manager & Music Ministry
- Michael Maron — Facilities Manager
- Debby Matyanowski — Bookkeeper
- Julie Allison — Director of Faith Formation
- Parish Pastoral Council
- Worship Commission
Parish Buildings & Building Fund
The campus today includes the original 1958 building (Dunn Hall, multi-purpose room), the present church dedicated in 2009, and the 2001 administration/formation building with two meeting rooms. A Building Fund established in fall 2001 continues to support the parish, and all parishioners — including new members — are encouraged to contribute. Bequests and year-end tax donations are additional avenues of support.
- Dunn Hall (1958) — multi-purpose room
- Present church — dedicated Feb 8, 2009
- Admin & Faith Formation building (2001)
- Building Fund (est. fall 2001) — ongoing
Visit, Contact & Practical Info
Parishioners and visitors can reach the office at (810) 796-2926 or [email protected]. Office hours are Wednesday 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM and Friday 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM. For a priest in an emergency, call (313) 596-7450. The mailing address is P.O. Box 208, Dryden, MI 48428.
- Phone: (810) 796-2926
- Email: [email protected]
- Office hours: Wed 9:30 AM–3:30 PM; Fri 9:30 AM–12:30 PM
- Emergency line: (313) 596-7450
- Mailing: P.O. Box 208, Dryden, MI 48428
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Dunnuntil 1995 (mission priest); assisted until May 2001
Served St. Cornelius during its years as a mission church; retired in 1995 but continued assisting until 2001.
- Rev. Wayne G. Ureel1995–
First full-fledged pastor of St. Cornelius when the mission became a parish on September 25, 1995; a rectory was built for him next to the church.
- Rev. Matthew KafkaJune 2001–February 2012
Served as weekend associate; retired completely in February 2012.