About St. Mary · Marne, Michigan
St. Mary Catholic Church is a historic Roman Catholic parish in Marne, Michigan, founded in 1852 by Irish pioneer settlers in Wright Township, Ottawa County. The parish is one of the oldest Catholic communities in the greater Grand Rapids area and celebrated 170 years of continuous ministry in 2022, currently serving over 296 registered families. It belongs to the Diocese of Grand Rapids and is led by Pastor Rev. Michael G. Hodges. In recent years, Bishop David Walkowiak's Rooted in Christ Pastoral Plan merged St. Mary with neighboring St. Michael Parish in Coopersville to form the new St. Mark the Evangelist Parish, with St. Mary Church in Marne designated as the primary church of the combined community.
- Established
- 1852
- Patron
- The Blessed Virgin Mary
- Rector
- Rev. Michael G. Hodges
- Diocese
- Diocese of Grand Rapids
Why belong here
St. Mary's is a warm, long-established Catholic community in the heart of Ottawa County where more than 296 families pray, serve, and grow together. Worship is enriched by weekly noon Mass on Tuesday and Thursday, Sunday Mass at 10:30 a.m., a weekly holy hour of Eucharistic Adoration on Tuesdays, and regular Reconciliation — all in a small, accessible church where parishioners know one another by name. With a deep well of ministries (RCIA, Adult Bible Study, Liturgical Ministers, Faith Formation, Knights of Columbus, Our Lady of Fatima Guild, and more) and a history going back to 1852, it is a place where newcomers are explicitly welcomed and invited to share their time and talents.
Mass times at St. Mary
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday: 12:30–1:30 p.m.
- Thursday: 12:30–1:30 p.m.
- Anytime by appointment — please call the parish office
Adoration times
- Tuesday — immediately following the 12 p.m. Mass until 3:30 p.m.
About St. Mary's Parish
St. Mary Catholic Church is a historic parish of the Diocese of Grand Rapids, founded in 1852 in the small Ottawa County community of Marne, Michigan. Today the parish serves more than 296 registered families and is clustered (and now formally merged) with neighboring St. Michael Parish in Coopersville under Bishop Walkowiak's Rooted in Christ Pastoral Plan, with St. Mary Church serving as the primary worship site of the new St. Mark the Evangelist Parish. The parish's mission statement declares that, 'Empowered by the Holy Spirit and strengthened by prayer and the sacraments, we continue the mission of Jesus to reveal God's presence in all human life.'
- Founded 1852 — celebrated 170 years in 2022
- 296+ registered families
- Diocese of Grand Rapids, West Deanery, Ottawa County
- Clustered with St. Michael's, Coopersville — now St. Mark the Evangelist Parish
History
St. Mary's traces its roots to the Irish pioneer families who settled Wright and Tallmadge Townships in the 1840s and built the township's first Catholic church alongside a log school. The parish was formally established in 1852, the same year the Berlin (now Marne) post office was created. A larger, more elaborate church replaced the original frame structure in 1877 under Fr. T. J. Murphy, but that building was destroyed by fire shortly after completion; the present church was raised on the same ashes. Successive pastors — Fathers Dalton, Caldwell, O'Connor, Mans, Hyland, and Timothy O'Connell (appointed September 1923) — each shaped the physical and spiritual life of the community. St. Mary's also served as the mother parish for St. Michael's in Coopersville (a mission from 1924 to 1950).
- 1840s — Irish pioneers settle Wright and Tallmadge Townships and build a log temple alongside a log school
- 1852 — Parish formally established
- 1877 — Larger church built under Fr. T. J. Murphy
- Fire destroys the Murphy-era church; the current church is built on its ashes under Fr. O'Connor
- September 1923 — Fr. Timothy O'Connell appointed; refines exterior and interior
- 2022 — Parish celebrates 170 years
- Merged with St. Michael's Coopersville into St. Mark the Evangelist Parish under Bishop Walkowiak's Rooted in Christ Pastoral Plan
Liturgical Ministers & Music
Liturgical ministry at St. Mary's is supported by volunteer parishioners who serve at weekend Masses (training sessions are offered periodically for new ministers). Music is led by Music Director Dr. Bernard Stanko, with Gary Karr serving as Liturgical Minister, providing the musical and ceremonial character of the parish's liturgies.
- Music Director: Dr. Bernard Stanko
- Liturgical Minister: Gary Karr
- Volunteer Liturgical Ministers welcomed at weekend Masses
Faith Formation
Faith Formation at St. Mary's is directed by Debbie Veneklase and serves the religious-education needs of parish families. The parish also offers an Adult Bible Study every Wednesday from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. in the church community room — newcomers are invited to join at any time. For ongoing adult learning, the parish promotes the Catholic Information Center, which offers classes and programs for adult religious education and spiritual growth, including VIRTUS Child & Youth Protection training.
- Director of Religious Education: Debbie Veneklase
- Adult Bible Study — Wednesdays 9:00–10:30 a.m. in the community room
- Catholic Information Center — adult religious education and VIRTUS training
Adult Bible Study
St. Mary's Adult Bible Study meets every Wednesday from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. in the church community room. Newcomers are invited to join at any time.
RCIA — Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
St. Mary's RCIA process has been welcoming inquirers into the Catholic faith since 1983. Since then, more than 122 people have completed the process and entered into full membership in the Catholic Church — many of whom are still active parishioners today. RCIA is open to unbaptized adults, those baptized in another Christian tradition, and already-baptized Catholics who want a deeper formation in their faith. Inquirers are not required to make a commitment beyond learning; the process is about helping people find what they seek in their relationship with God. Coordinator: Jill Brown (parish office, 616-677-3934).
- RCIA at St. Mary's since 1983
- 122+ people completed the process
- Coordinator: Jill Brown (616-677-3934)
Parish Life, Guilds & Events
Beyond the sanctuary, St. Mary's parish life is enriched by devotional and service groups. The Our Lady of Fatima Guild organizes practical works like the parish Spring Cleaning Day, helping keep the church interior and grounds beautiful. The Knights of Columbus are active in the parish community. Throughout the year the parish gathers for events such as the diocesan 'Light Is On for You' Evening of Penance, Stations of the Cross in Lent, special requiem Masses (e.g., for Pope Francis), and lecture series — most recently a Vatican II documents series led by Fr. Michael Hodges on Monday evenings in the community room.
- Our Lady of Fatima Guild — parish cleaning and care
- Knights of Columbus
- Stations of the Cross during Lent
- 'The Light Is On for You' Evening of Penance
- Vatican II Lecture Series (Fr. Hodges)
- Parish myParish App for daily readings, prayers, news, and bulletins
Parish Staff
St. Mary's is served by a small, dedicated staff under the leadership of Pastor Rev. Michael G. Hodges ('Fr. Mike').
- Pastor — Rev. Michael Hodges
- Deacon — Tom Roberts
- Parish Secretary — Cathie VanGessel ([email protected])
- Director of Religious Education — Debbie Veneklase ([email protected])
- Business Manager — Todd Kline ([email protected])
- Music Director — Dr. Bernard Stanko
- Liturgical Minister — Gary Karr
- Custodian — (staff listing on website)
Visiting, Contact & Practical Information
Parishioners and visitors are warmly welcomed. The church is handicapped accessible. The parish office is open Monday and Tuesday 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Wednesday 9:00 to 11:30 a.m., and Thursday 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For after-hours pastoral emergencies, the parish provides a dedicated line.
- Address: 15164 Juniper Drive, Marne, MI 49435
- Phone: 616-677-3934 / 616-677-5012
- Email: [email protected]
- Office Hours: Mon & Tue 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; Wed 9–11:30 a.m.; Thu 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
- Emergency Line: 1-616-745-1409
- Handicapped accessible
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. T. J. Murphy
Built the second, larger church in 1877; later called to other work.
- Father Dalton
Succeeded Fr. Murphy.
- Father Caldwell
Succeeded Fr. Dalton.
- Father O'Connor
Worked to beautify the church; the building he labored on was destroyed by fire, and the present church rose from its ashes.
- Father Mans
Followed Fr. O'Connor.
- Father Hyland
Followed Fr. Mans.
- Father Timothy O'ConnellAppointed September 1923
Gave the church its refined exterior and interior character praised by local historians.