About St. Joseph (Weare) · Hart, Michigan
St. Joseph Parish in Weare (Hart, Michigan) is a historic Catholic community established in 1884 by predominantly German immigrant settlers in Oceana County, now part of the Diocese of Grand Rapids. The parish operates as 'Two Churches, One Parish Family,' pairing St. Joseph Church in Weare Township with the Mission Chapel of St. Vincent in nearby Pentwater, both led by pastor Rev. Phillip A. Sliwinski. Known for its remarkable F. X. Zettler stained glass windows and long-running traditions like the annual Ox Roast & Homecoming (now in its 75th year), the parish serves Catholics across rural western Michigan with a wide range of liturgical, faith-formation, and fellowship ministries.
- Established
- 1884
- Patron
- St. Joseph
- Rector
- Rev. Phillip A. Sliwinski
- Diocese
- Diocese of Grand Rapids
Why belong here
St. Joseph Parish and its mission, St. Vincent Chapel in Pentwater, welcome visitors and newcomers into a small but active Catholic community with deep German-Catholic roots in Oceana County. The parish combines traditional beauty — Zettler stained glass, a five-sided sanctuary, and a beloved parish cemetery — with a wide range of ministries including Music Ministry, Altar Society, Knights of Columbus (Fr. Francis Emmerich Council #15993), RCIA, faith formation, a Rosary group, and outreach through the St. Vincent de Paul Society. Its signature community event, the annual Ox Roast & Homecoming (now in its 75th year), draws both faith communities together for fellowship, food, and shared history.
Mass times at St. Joseph (Weare)
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:30 PM — St. Vincent, Pentwater
- Saturday 6:30 PM — St. Joseph, Weare
- Sunday 8:30 AM — St. Joseph, Weare (per Diocese of Grand Rapids listing)
About Our Parish
St. Joseph's Church in Weare Township (Hart, Michigan) was founded by a predominantly German immigrant community who came a long distance into a 'tough wilderness' and built a church that reflects the stories and values that sustained them. Today the parish operates as a combined parish family with the Mission Chapel of St. Vincent in Pentwater, sharing one pastor — Rev. Phillip A. Sliwinski — and one parish staff. The Diocese of Grand Rapids lists the parish as established in 1884 and reestablished in 2012 in its current configuration. Worship sites at both St. Joseph and St. Vincent are handicapped accessible.
- Founded 1884 by German immigrants
- Reestablished 2012 in current two-church configuration
- Two worship sites: St. Joseph (Hart) and St. Vincent Chapel (Pentwater)
- Both sites handicapped accessible
Architecture & Stained Glass
The sanctuary features a distinctive five-sided apse representing the five continents, with the central figure of Christ crucified flanked by Mary and the Beloved Disciple as in John's Passion. A traditional reredos behind the altar frames the tabernacle and includes shelves for flowers and candles, decorated with grapevines. The twelve nave windows, by the F. X. Zettler studio of Munich, set women saints on the west wall and men saints on the east, each set against ordered Eden-like imagery of vines, wheat, and pomegranate.
- Five-sided apse representing the five continents
- Central crucifix with Mary and the Beloved Disciple
- Traditional reredos behind the altar
- 12 nave windows by F. X. Zettler, Munich — women on west, men on east
- Four apse windows depict the four Gospel writers
- Garden of Eden imagery with grape vines, wheat, and pomegranate throughout
Notable Saints in the Windows
Most of the windows are named after the saint depicted above them — suggesting the pioneer families' pride and gratitude in their choices. Among those represented are St. Agnes (young Roman martyr with a lamb), St. Aloysius Gonzaga, St. Anthony of Padua with the Christ Child, St. Cecilia (patroness of music, in the back window), St. Dominic (founder of the Dominicans, promoter of the Rosary), St. Elizabeth of Hungary, St. Francis of Assisi (with the stigmata), St. Peter (with the keys of the kingdom), St. Henry (King of Bohemia, credited with establishing the church in that land), and a medieval mystic — possibly St. Bridget of Sweden, St. Matilda, or St. Mechtilde of Magdeburg — holding a book of poetry and prayers.
- St. Agnes, St. Aloysius Gonzaga, St. Anthony of Padua
- St. Cecilia (back window — patroness of music)
- St. Dominic, St. Elizabeth of Hungary, St. Francis of Assisi
- St. Peter (with keys of the kingdom)
- St. Henry, King of Bohemia
- Catherine of Siena, Doctor of the Church
- A medieval mystic (Bridget of Sweden / Matilda / Mechtilde of Magdeburg)
Devotions
The Rosary is prayed as a parish community at St. Vincent Chapel on Wednesdays at 11:00 AM, with the intention 'for the sanctity of all life from conception until natural death.' No permanent adoration schedule is published on the parish site.
- Rosary — Wednesdays at 11:00 AM at St. Vincent, Pentwater
Parish Staff
The parish is led by pastor Rev. Phillip A. Sliwinski and supported by a small staff and many lay volunteers. The Faith Formation Center (2349 W. Jackson Rd., Hart) is the home of the parish's religious education program.
- Pastor: Fr. Phil Sliwinski ([email protected] / 231-873-2683)
- Parish Secretary: Karen Alvesteffer (231-873-5776)
- Faith Formation: Renee Dennert ([email protected] / 231-329-1244)
- Business Administrator: Pam Glover (231-869-2601 — Pentwater office)
- Music Director: Betty Pleva (231-578-3609)
- Custodian: Darrell Cram
- Mt. Calvary Cemetery Sexton: Mark Reterstoff
- Parish Hall Rentals: 231-873-5776 or 231-869-2601
Ministries
St. Joseph Parish offers a broad range of liturgical, faith-formation, and social ministries for parishioners of all ages. Music Ministry is led by Betty Pleva; the parish Altar Societies are open to all women; and the Fr. Francis Emmerich Council #15993 of the Knights of Columbus welcomes all men. Social justice ministries include visiting the homebound, serving the poor, volunteering at food pantries, and the St. Vincent de Paul Society. Annual social events include the Ox Roast & Homecoming and the parish bazaar.
- Music Ministry (Betty Pleva, Director)
- St. Joseph's Altar Society & St. Vincent's Altar Society
- Knights of Columbus — Fr. Francis Emmerich Council #15993 (Grand Knight: Lindsay Blamer, 231-843-3279)
- Finance Council
- Offertory Counters
- Parish Pastoral Council
- Altar Servers, Greeters, Ushers, Lectors
- Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist
- Sacristans, Baptism Preparation
- RCIA — Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
- Fellowship Committee
- Flowers and Grounds
- St. Vincent de Paul Society & food pantry outreach
- Annual parish bazaar and Ox Roast & Homecoming
Sacraments
The parish celebrates all seven Catholic sacraments — the three Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation), the two Sacraments of Healing (Penance/Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick), and the two Sacraments of Vocation (Marriage and Holy Orders). Baptism Preparation is offered for parents bringing their child into the faith; RCIA prepares adult candidates for Catholic initiation; and Reconciliation is available at the scheduled times at both worship sites.
- Baptism (with Baptism Preparation)
- Eucharist (First Communion)
- Confirmation
- Penance / Reconciliation
- Anointing of the Sick
- Marriage
- Holy Orders
Mt. Calvary Cemetery
Mt. Calvary Cemetery is a Catholic cemetery that is part of St. Joseph Weare Parish and serves the combined parish family including St. Vincent Church. Nestled among fields and orchards directly behind St. Joseph's Catholic Church, it is described by the parish as known for its 'peaceful beauty.' Any registered member (or family member) of the parish may be buried there; non-parishioners may also be buried subject to plot availability. In December 2017, property was acquired to the east of the existing cemetery for expansion, with construction on the new section beginning in 2019. Pricing is tiered by parishioner status and day of burial.
- Located directly behind St. Joseph Catholic Church
- Open to registered parishioners and, subject to availability, non-parishioners
- Cemetery Sexton: Mark Reterstoff
- December 2017: property acquired for expansion east of the original grounds
- 2019: expansion construction began, with parishioner input sought on landscaping
- Plots: $600 (parishioners) / $800 (non-parishioners)
- Casket burial Mon–Fri: $600 (parishioners) / $600 (non-parishioners)
- Casket burial Weekend/Holiday: $900
- Cremains burial Mon–Fri: $250
- Cremains burial Weekend/Holiday: $500
Ox Roast & Homecoming — Annual Tradition
The parish's signature community event is the annual Ox Roast & Homecoming, held in mid-July at the St. Joseph's Faith Formation Center (2349 W. Jackson Rd., Hart). The dinner includes traditional ox roast beef, mashed potatoes and gravy, locally grown asparagus, baked beans, coleslaw, and dessert — with dine-in (air-conditioned hall or under the Big Top outside) and take-out available. The event also features raffles, a silent auction, a white elephant booth, baked goods, a crafts booth, and kids' games. In 2026 the parish celebrates the 75th anniversary of the Ox Roast.
- Held annually in mid-July (e.g., July 13, 2025; July 12, 2026)
- Location: St. Joseph's Faith Formation Center, 2349 W. Jackson Rd., Hart
- Adult dinner $15; Ages 6–10 $6; Ages 5 & under Free
- Features: Ox Roast beef, mashed potatoes & gravy, asparagus, baked beans, coleslaw, dessert
- Also: Raffles, Silent Auction, White Elephant Booth, Baked Goods, Kids' Games
- 75th Anniversary in 2026 with commemorative T-shirts for sale
- Dine-in (indoor or under the Big Top) and take-out available
Contact & Office Information
Parish office hours, mailing addresses, and phone numbers are split between the two worship sites. The Weare (Hart) parish office is the main point of contact for the combined parish family. The Faith Formation Center at 2349 W. Jackson Rd. hosts parish hall rentals, faith formation classes, and large events such as the Ox Roast dinner.
- St. Joseph Parish (Weare): 2380 W Jackson Rd, Hart, MI 49420 — 231-873-5776
- St. Vincent Chapel (Pentwater): PO Box 536, 637 E. 6th St, Pentwater, MI 49449 — 231-869-2601
- Rectory: 231-873-2683
- Parish email: [email protected]
- Pastor email: [email protected] / [email protected]
- Faith Formation Center: 2349 W Jackson Rd, Hart
- Parish Hall Rentals: 231-873-5776 or 231-869-2601
- Office Hours — Weare: Mon & Thu 2:00–6:00 PM; Tue, Wed, Fri 9:30 AM–1:30 PM
- Office Hours — Pentwater: Mon 8:00 AM–3:00 PM; Tue–Thu 8:00 AM–1:00 PM; Fri 8:00 AM–11:00 AM
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Charles Brown
Former pastor of St. Joseph's; mentioned on the parish's history page as the priest who once swapped a weekend with Fr. Michael Martin of the Catholic Information Center, prompting the research on the church's architecture and stained glass.