About St. Mary · Marshall, Michigan
St. Mary Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in Marshall, Michigan, part of the Diocese of Kalamazoo. The parish worships at a striking Gothic-style church built in 1889 at the corner of Eagle and Green Streets, with its parish offices and mailing address at 212 W. Hanover Street. Today's parish family gathers for weekend Masses on Saturday evening and Sunday morning and mid-morning, supported by a parish school of religion, a Knights of Columbus council, weekly Bible studies, Saturday confession and adoration, and a historic cemetery on Centennial Road. The parish mission statement, posted on its website, commits its members to 'remember, celebrate, and believe,' responding to the call of Jesus Christ through worship, charity, and community life in Calhoun County.
- Established
- 1852
- Patron
- Blessed Virgin Mary
- Rector
- Fr. Craig Lusk
- Diocese
- Diocese of Kalamazoo
Why belong here
St. Mary offers a long-standing Catholic community rooted in Marshall since 1852, with three weekend Masses (Saturday 5:00 PM and Sunday 9:00 & 11:00 AM) and three weekly weekday Masses, plus Saturday confession and adoration in St. Mary Chapel. The parish runs a School of Religion for children, an O.C.I.A. (adult initiation) process, weekly men's and general Bible studies, a Knights of Columbus council that administers the parish 'We Care Fund' for families in need, and a historic 1866 cemetery with plots still available. With its stained-glass Gothic church and active ministries, it is a welcoming home for Catholics in Calhoun County who want both traditional worship and active service.
Mass times at St. Mary
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM (St. Mary Chapel, preceding the 5:00 PM Vigil Mass)
Adoration times
- Saturday 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM (St. Mary Chapel, concurrent with Confessions)
- Friday 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM (per the parish calendar)
About St. Mary Parish
St. Mary Parish is a Roman Catholic community serving Marshall, Michigan and surrounding Calhoun County under the Diocese of Kalamazoo. The parish mission statement on its website reads: 'In the celebration of life, the people of St. Mary Parish respond to the call of Jesus Christ. We are committed to the spiritual and physical welfare of those in our parish and community. In our daily lives, we will honor God Our Father with loyalty and devotion. Through our Christian love and good works, we shall embrace and support all people.' The parish operates a parish office at 212 W. Hanover Street and worships in the historic Gothic church at the corner of Eagle and Green Streets.
Parish History
Catholic life in Marshall dates to 1837, when mission priests from Northville rode on horseback to serve the faithful. Father James Hennessy became the first resident pastor in 1852, and the first church was dedicated in 1853. Father P.C. Koopmans, the second pastor, began sacramental records in 1855, opened the first parish school in 1856, welcomed the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in 1864, and purchased 16 acres for a cemetery in 1866 for $800.
Building the Present Church
Father Peter A. Baart, arriving in 1882, reorganized the Altar Society, opened a new school in 1883, and built the present Gothic-style church, dedicated October 27, 1889. Baart Hall was added in 1900. Father Baart died in 1908 and is buried in the cemetery chapel. The church underwent major renovations in 1948 (under Father Patrick McGuinnes), 1988 (rededicated August 13, 1988), and 2021 (rededicated October 13, 2021).
- Church dedicated October 27, 1889
- Baart Hall opened 1900
- Rosary Altar Society purchased a marble altar in 1948
- Parish Center built under Father Donald Wieber (1974–1981) to replace Baart Hall
- Church rededicated October 13, 2021 after the most recent renovation
Diocese & Bishops
At founding in 1852 and at the building of the present church in 1889, the parish belonged to the Archdiocese of Detroit. In 1937 it became part of the Diocese of Lansing. In 1971, the Diocese of Kalamazoo was formed and Marshall joined it under Bishop Paul Donovan. Subsequent diocesan bishops have included Bishop Alfred Markiewicz (installed January 31, 1995), Bishop James Murray (1998), Bishop Paul Bradley (named on the parish history page), and currently Bishop Lohse, who is referenced on the home page announcing the Bishop's Annual Appeal.
Parish Staff
The parish is led by Pastor Fr. Craig Lusk, supported by a lay staff of parish-office and ministry leaders. The website lists an open position for Organist/Director of Music, with a job posting linked from the page.
- Fr. Craig Lusk — Pastor ([email protected])
- Stacie Contat — Business Manager / Collaborative Bulletin Editor / Safe Environment
- Sara Rodgers — Director of Religious Education ([email protected])
- Carol DiBiaggio — Adult Faith Formation / O.C.I.A. Coordinator / Lead Sacristan / Wedding Coordinator ([email protected])
- Gary Zink — Director of Parish Facilities / Custodian
- Organist/Director of Music — Open Position
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Children's faith formation is organized through the parish School of Religion under Director of Religious Education Sara Rodgers. Adult Faith Formation and the O.C.I.A. (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) process are coordinated by Carol DiBiaggio. The parish also runs two regular Bible studies that meet weekly.
- Parish School of Religion (children's religious education)
- Adult Faith Formation
- O.C.I.A. — adult initiation into the Catholic Church
- Weekly Parish Bible Study (Tuesday evenings, 7:00–8:00 PM)
- Men's Bible Study (Saturday mornings, 7:00–8:00 AM)
Parish Ministries & Outreach
St. Mary supports an active Knights of Columbus council that meets monthly and administers the parish's We Care Fund, which assists families within the parish community. Weddings are coordinated through Carol DiBiaggio. Online giving is available for the parish, religious education, youth ministry, building/Altar Flowers, and special collections, as described on the parish Donate page.
- Knights of Columbus (monthly Monday meetings)
- We Care Fund (parish benevolence administered by the Knights of Columbus)
- Wedding Coordinator (Carol DiBiaggio)
- Safe Environment coordination (Stacie Contat)
- Parish Bulletin (collaborative edition) and weekly podcasts of homilies, music, and events
Sacraments
The parish celebrates the seven sacraments, with Reconciliation heard regularly on Saturday afternoons in St. Mary Chapel. Baptisms and marriages are documented in parish records going back to 1855. Adult initiation is offered through the O.C.I.A. process. Weddings are coordinated by Carol DiBiaggio.
- Baptism (records since 1855; Mary Hamilton, May 27, 1855 — first recorded)
- Marriage (records since 1855; James Wall & Bridget Farell, May 31, 1855 — first recorded)
- Reconciliation (Saturday 3:30–4:30 PM in St. Mary Chapel)
- Eucharistic Adoration (Saturday 3:30–4:30 PM)
- O.C.I.A. for adult initiation
- Anointing of the Sick (contact parish office)
St. Mary Cemetery
Located at 18245 Centennial Road in Marshall, St. Mary Cemetery was founded in 1866 when Father Koopmans purchased 16 acres on the east side of town for $800. Father Baart later wrote that Koopmans 'spent considerably more in the surveying and arranging of it,' calling it 'a choice spot for a cemetery and makes one of the finest in the diocese.' The cemetery remains active, with plots still available, a cemetery map, regulations, and fees available from the parish office. Pastors Father Peter A. Baart (d. 1908) and Father George Clarson (1919–1932) are both buried in the cemetery chapel.
- Address: 18245 Centennial Road, Marshall, MI
- Land purchased 1866 by Fr. P.C. Koopmans for $800
- Plots, map, regulations, and fees available through the parish office at 269-781-3949
- Burial site of Fr. Peter A. Baart (d. 1908) and Fr. George Clarson (1919–1932)
Visiting & Contact
Visitors are warmly welcomed. The parish office is open at 212 W. Hanover Street, Marshall, MI 49068, reachable by phone at 269-781-3949 or by email at [email protected]. Saturday Vigil Mass at 5:00 PM and Sunday Masses at 9:00 and 11:00 AM are the principal weekend worship times; Saturday confession and adoration run 3:30–4:30 PM in St. Mary Chapel. Online giving is available through the parish website, and the parish publishes a weekly bulletin and homily/music podcast.
- Office & Mailing: 212 W. Hanover St., Marshall, MI 49068
- Phone: 269-781-3949
- Fax: 269-781-3632
- Email: [email protected]
- Church location: Corner of Eagle & Green Streets, Marshall, MI 49068
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. James Hennessy1852–
First resident pastor; first church dedicated in 1853.
- Fr. P.C. Koopmans
Second pastor; began sacramental records (first baptism 1855, first marriage 1855), opened first school (1856), welcomed Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (1864), purchased cemetery land (1866).
- Fr. Peter A. Baart1882–1908
Opened new school (1883), reorganized the Altar Society, built the present church (dedicated 1889) and Baart Hall (1900). Buried in the cemetery chapel.
- Fr. George Clarson1919–1932
Also buried in the parish cemetery.
- Fr. Patrick McGuinnes1948–
Led 1948 church renovation; Rosary Altar Society purchased a new marble altar at this time.
- Fr. Julius Hengesbach1966–1974
Implemented post-Vatican II liturgical changes in the church.
- Fr. Donald Wieber1974–1981
Built the present Parish Center to replace Baart Hall.
- Fr. Craig Luskpresent
Current pastor (referred to on the site as 'Fr. Craig,' with an Easter letter and biography titled 'From Music Man to Holy Man').