About St. Martin de Porres · Warren, Michigan
St. Martin de Porres is a Roman Catholic parish in Warren, Michigan, part of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Detroit and today grouped in the 'Saints Among The Saints' Family of Parishes together with St. Blase, St. Ephrem and St. Michael parishes. Founded in 1962 by Archbishop John F. Dearden and the founding pastor Fr. Arthur Krawczak, the parish grew from farmland (the former Warner and Lagrou Farms) into a thriving community of roughly 1,460 families serving the northeast corner of Warren. The parish lives out a clear three-fold mission — proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ, celebrating the mystery of God's love in Word and Sacrament, and serving one another and the wider human community.
- Established
- 1962
- Patron
- St. Martin de Porres
- Rector
- Fr. Paul Onyebuchi (announced to begin ministry July 1, 2026); the parish is administered under the 'Saints Among The Saints' Family of Parishes model with Priests in Solidum including Rev. Artemio Galos, Rev. Randall Phillips, Rev. Michael Quaine and Rev. Arokiaselvam Nithiyaselvam, M.S.F.S.
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Detroit
Why belong here
St. Martin de Porres is a medium-sized suburban parish with a deeply rooted history (founded 1962) and a tangible, hands-on parish life: weekend Masses plus a popular Wednesday evening Mass with Perpetual Help devotions, weekly Reconciliation, monthly First Friday Eucharistic Adoration, First Communion and Confirmation preparation, a robust Christian Faith Formation program with Children's Liturgy of the Word and Vacation Bible School, and outreach through St. Vincent de Paul, a Warming Center for the Homeless, a Mission Trip to Appalachia, Right to Life, blood drives and food collections. Active groups like the Knights of Columbus Pius X Council #3848 and the long-running Active Christian Women's Club make it easy to plug in, and parishioners can belong to the parish's mission — reviewed by the Parish Pastoral Council in 2016 — of proclaiming the Gospel, celebrating God's love in their midst, and serving the wider human community.
Mass times at St. Martin de Porres
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday 7:45 p.m. (in the church sacristy)
- Saturday 3:00 p.m. (in the parish center kitchenette)
- By appointment — call the Parish Office
Adoration times
- First Friday of the Month, 12:00 Noon to 3:00 p.m. (followed by Benediction and Stations of the Cross during Lent)
Parish History
Founded in 1962 by Archbishop John F. Dearden with Fr. Arthur Krawczak as founding pastor on what had been the Warner and Lagrou Farms, the parish celebrated its first Mass at Pennow School, built a prototype temporary church, dedicated its permanent church in 1968 (with Bishop Thomas Gumbleton consecrating the granite altar), and grew over six decades into a community of roughly 1,460 families. Six pastors have shaped its life — Fr. Krawczak (1962-73), Fr. Fauser, Msgr. John Hall (the 'Golden Years,' 1977-91), Fr. Timothy Murray, Fr. Roman Pasieczny (2000-14), and Fr. Nicholas Zukowski (2014-2026) — and the parish weathered storms both literal (the 2014 basement flood) and spiritual.
- Founded 1962 — census ordered by Archbishop Dearden in Spring 1962
- First Mass — 8:00 a.m. at Pennow School; six altar servers; about 280 attended
- Permanent church dedicated June 16, 1968 by Archbishop Dearden
- Granite altar consecrated by Bishop Thomas Gumbleton, holding relics of St. Martin de Porres, St. Theophilus and St. Pacifica
- 55th anniversary of parish / 50th anniversary of church celebrated in 2017, with an Immaculate Heart of Mary image added in honor of Fatima's 100th anniversary
- 60th anniversary celebrated in 2022-23 along with Fr. Nick's 40th priestly jubilee and the ACWC's 45th
Mission & Parish Life
The parish mission, reviewed and approved by the Parish Pastoral Council in June 2016, commits the community to proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ, celebrating the mystery of God's love in their midst, and serving one another and the wider human community — 'thus continuing the Mission of Jesus Christ.' This mission is lived out through four commissions (Worship, Christian Service, Evangelization, Family Ministry) and a robust schedule of devotional, sacramental and outreach activities.
- Parish Pastoral Council
- Parish Finance Council (Chair: Mike Garcia)
- Worship Commission (Michael Adams)
- Christian Service Commission (Christina Corona)
- Family Ministry (Sandy Acord)
- Evangelization Commission
- Registered Parishioner program with welcome packets
Christian Faith Formation & Religious Education
The Christian Faith Formation program, directed by Sandy Acord, serves children in Levels 1 through 9 from September through April, welcomes children from other area parishes, and includes sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation, First Eucharist and Confirmation. Adult OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) formation runs September through February each year for those exploring Catholicism or completing sacraments.
- Religious Education (Levels 1-9)
- Children's Liturgy of the Word at the 11:00 a.m. Mass
- Children's Mass
- Vacation Bible School
- Level 8 Bible Study 'Encounter'
- First Reconciliation and First Eucharist in 2nd Year of Formation
- Confirmation preparation
- OCIA (formerly RCIA) for adults
- Contact: 586-264-7970 — Sandy Acord (Director), Mary Loria (Admin Assistant)
Music & Liturgical Ministries
The Music Ministry, led by Director of Music/Worship Michael Adams, enriches every liturgy with a full complement of ensembles. Liturgical service is supported by Altar Servers, Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, and Ministers of Hospitality (Greeters and Ushers).
- Adult Choir
- Contemporary Choir
- Children's Choir
- Handbell Choir
- Resurrection Choir (for funerals)
- Past Music Directors honored at the 50th anniversary: Mr. John McGovern and Mr. Bruce Langlands
Parish Staff & Contact Directory
A small, dedicated staff keeps the parish running from offices at 31555 Hoover Road. The Christian Formation Office has its own number (586-264-7970). Pastor Fr. Paul Onyebuchi is announced to begin on July 1, 2026; in the interim, weekend/holy day ministry is provided by priests of the 'Saints Among The Saints' Family of Parishes and the parish is served by Deacon Marion Jurewicz.
- Lori Isaac — Parish Office Manager — [email protected] — (586) 264-7515
- Deacon Marion Jurewicz — Permanent Deacon — [email protected]
- Michael Adams — Director of Music/Worship — [email protected]
- Sandy Acord — Director of Christian Formation — [email protected] — (586) 264-7970 ext. 233
- Mary Loria — Christian Formation Administrative Assistant — [email protected] — ext. 231
- Christina Corona — Director of Christian Service — [email protected]
- Tom O'Grady — Director of Maintenance
Parish Office & Practical Information
The Parish Office is open four days a week, with extended hours on Tuesdays and Wednesdays to accommodate sacramental needs. The fax line and Christian Formation Office number are listed on all parish communications.
- Parish Office: (586) 264-7515 — Fax: (586) 264-4013
- Christian Formation Office: (586) 264-7970
- Email: [email protected]
- Office Hours: Mon & Fri 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.; Tues & Wed 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
- Online Giving available via the parish website
- Catholic Services Appeal (CSA) — annual diocesan campaign (2026 CSA begins in May)
- Sunday bulletin and archive available on the parish website
Outreach & Christian Service
Through its Christian Service Commission and partner organizations, the parish answers the call of Catholic social teaching with both local and regional outreach. Members regularly serve the homebound, the homeless, the poor and the unborn, and travel to Appalachia on an annual mission trip.
- St. Vincent de Paul Society (established 1963)
- St. Stephen Ministry (since 1984)
- Bereavement Ministry (since 1983)
- Warming Center for the Homeless
- Mission Trip to Appalachia
- Food Collection for the Poor
- Clothing and Household Goods Drives
- Blood Drives
- Holiday Giving Programs
- Chaplain Services to Local Nursing Homes
- Communion to the Sick and Homebound
- Parish Nurse Ministry
- Right to Life
- Boy Scouts
Parish Groups & Fraternal Organizations
Long-standing lay groups offer fellowship, formation and service opportunities for men, women, couples and individuals. The Active Christian Women's Club marked its 45th anniversary in 2022-23, and the Knights of Columbus Pius X Council #3848 continues to be one of the parish's flagship organizations.
- Knights of Columbus — Pius X Council #3848 (Grand Knight: Kevin Labudde)
- Active Christian Women's Club (ACWC) — President Beverly Savage
- Parish Pastoral Council Representatives: Zora Dziurman, Ed Sobczak
- Retrouvaille — Marriage Help
- Ushers Club (since the founding; 48 men originally signed up in 1962)
- Holy Name Society (Corporate Communion Mass)
- Family Ministry — Children's Rosary, Family Mass, Family Fun/Movie Night, Tree-Trimming Service
Saints Among The Saints — Family of Parishes
As part of the Archdiocese of Detroit's 'Families of Parishes' model (Wave Two formation began January 2022), St. Martin de Porres is grouped with three other parishes in the Central Macomb Vicariate (Vicar: Fr. Joe Gembala of St. Malachy). Together they share resources and pastoral care under the 'Saints Among The Saints' banner.
- St. Blase Parish — Sterling Heights (40501 Hayes Rd., 48313)
- St. Ephrem Parish — Sterling Heights (38900 Dodge Park Rd., 48312)
- St. Michael Parish — Sterling Heights (12151 E. 15 Mile Rd., 48312)
- St. Martin de Porres Parish — Warren (31555 Hoover Rd., 48093)
- Central Macomb Vicariate — Vicar Fr. Joe Gembala, St. Malachy Parish
- Archdiocese of Detroit — currently led by Archbishop Edward J. Weisenburger
Diocese & Affiliations
St. Martin de Porres belongs to the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Detroit. The Archdiocese website and the AOD Finder list the parish as organization #544 in the Central Macomb Vicariate, Northeast Region, 'Northeast Central Macomb 4' Family of Parishes. The parish also points its members to outside Catholic resources for ongoing formation and information.
- Archdiocese of Detroit (aod.org)
- GCatholic — parish ID 20291
- AOD Finder listing #185
- The Vatican
- US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB)
- Michigan Catholic Conference
- FORMED — Catholic streaming and study
- Catholic Mass Times — for travelers
- Retrouvaille — international marriage help program
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Arthur Krawczak1962–1973
Founding pastor. Later appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Detroit (1973); died 2000.
- Fr. Arthur Fauser1973–c.1977
Succeeded Fr. Krawczak after he was made a bishop.
- Msgr. John Hall1977–1991
Long tenure often described as the 'Golden Years' of parish history. Died 2022.
- Fr. Timothy Murray1991–c.2000
Succeeded Msgr. Hall.
- Fr. Roman Pasieczny2000–2014
Later transferred to St. Lawrence Parish, Utica.
- Fr. Nicholas 'Nick' Zukowski2014–January 25, 2026
Stepped down due to declining health on the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul; died March 4, 2026.
- Fr. Shafiquethrough end of June 2026
Departing pastor transitional period.
- Fr. Paul Onyebuchibeginning July 1, 2026
Announced as incoming weekend/holy day priest.