St. Mary Catholic Church

Parish History

Saint Mary Parish traces its roots to the 1850s when local Catholics worshipped with visiting priests. In 1866, Jerome and James Waldo sold land to the Diocese of Detroit for twenty-five cents with the agreement that a church worth at least $1,000 would be built within three years. By 1869, a frame church costing $1,100 was erected and named Saint Mary. The parish was formally established in 1879 with Father John Lovett as its first resident pastor. After a mission period from 1889-1898 and a fire that destroyed the original church in 1895, a larger brick Neo-Gothic building was constructed. The present church was built in 1985.

Parish Clergy & Staff

St. Mary is currently served by Father David Fons as pastor. Supporting the parish's faith formation is Adam Janke, Director of Religious Education. Kari Edwards has been instrumental in leading the parish's stewardship initiative, while Bert Schomberger assists with marriage preparation and Jenny Ingles serves as the Diocese of Lansing's Natural Family Planning liaison based at St. Mary.

Faith Formation & St. Mary School

St. Mary School has served the parish and broader Williamston community since opening on October 18, 1959. The first year enrolled 109 students in grades one through seven, taught by three Sisters of Saint Joseph from Nazareth College. The school later adopted a tuition model and has continued to serve Catholic families, offering both elementary and middle school grades. Faith formation is led by Director of Religious Education Adam Janke.

• St. Mary School (est. 1959)
• Religious Education / DRE program
• Middle school and preschool offerings

Marriage Preparation & Family Life

The parish offers marriage preparation for engaged couples and support for convalidation. Couples are encouraged to contact the parish office shortly after engagement. Bert Schomberger assists with marriage preparation, and the parish also connects couples with Natural Family Planning resources through Jenny Ingles, the Diocese of Lansing's NFP Director.

• Engaged couples contact: 517-655-2620
• Bert Schomberger (marriage prep)
• Jenny Ingles (NFP, Diocese of Lansing)

Stewardship at St. Mary

Under the leadership of Father David Fons and parishioner Kari Edwards, St. Mary has implemented a phased stewardship approach inspired by the model of the late Msgr. Thomas McGread. The parish first focused on time for prayer and worship, then on using individual talents to serve the church and community, and finally on financial giving as an act of gratitude. This approach has revitalized parish engagement, with parishioners more actively participating in ministries and outreach.

• Inspired by Msgr. Thomas McGread's Wichita stewardship model
• Phased approach: prayer, talent, treasure
• Featured in March 2025 FAITH Magazine

Parish Facilities & Cemetery

The parish campus includes the 1985 church with its recently renovated sanctuary and new baptistry, a parish hall built in 1948, a rectory erected in 1902, and a parish cemetery founded in 1873. The parish office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

• Current church (1985)
• Parish hall (1948)
• Rectory (1902)
• Cemetery (1873)
• Convent (1956)

Visit & Contact

St. Mary is located at 157 High Street in Williamston, Michigan. Visitors traveling from I-96 should head north to High Street, then turn right to reach the parish. The parish office can be reached by phone or email during business hours.

• Address: 157 High Street, Williamston, MI 48895
• Phone: (517) 655-2620
• Email: [email protected]
• Office hours: Mon-Fri 9 AM - 3 PM