About St. Mary · Pinckney, Michigan
St. Mary Catholic Parish in Pinckney, Michigan is a Roman Catholic parish of the Diocese of Lansing serving the Livingston County community. Founded in 1867 as a modest brick church, it is one of the oldest Catholic parishes in the area and now ministers to hundreds of families through its school (Preschool–8th grade), family catechesis program, Eucharistic Adoration chapel, food pantry and baby ministry, and a wide range of lay ministries. The parish is currently led by Fr. Tyler Arens, appointed pastor effective July 1, 2025, and is one of eight Catholic parishes cooperating in the Young Adult Ministry of Livingston County.
- Established
- 1867
- Patron
- The Blessed Virgin Mary
- Rector
- Rev. Tyler Arens
- Diocese
- Diocese of Lansing (Livingston Deanery)
Why belong here
St. Mary is a long-established Livingston County parish (since 1867) that combines the warmth of a historic community with a robust slate of ministries for every age and stage. Weekday and Sunday Masses are complemented by a 24/7 Eucharistic Adoration chapel, daily Rosary, Mother of Perpetual Help devotions, and regular Confession. Families are supported through a Preschool–8th-grade Catholic school with daily Mass twice a week and Eucharistic Adoration, a family catechesis program that partners with parents as primary catechists, and ministries such as the Rosary Altar Society, Rosary Makers, Women of Grace, Young Adult Ministry (YAM) shared with seven other Livingston County parishes, Prayer Ministry, and a Food Pantry & Baby Ministry. Anyone seeking a parish rooted in tradition but actively forming the next generation will find a home here.
Mass times at St. Mary
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:30–4:30 p.m.
- Tuesday 6:00–6:50 p.m.
- Tuesday after 7:00 p.m. Mass
- By appointment through the parish office (734) 878-3161
Adoration times
- Blessed Sacrament Chapel open 24/7 for prayer before the Tabernacle
- Weekly Exposition in the Chapel: Tuesday–Friday, 10:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m.
- Wednesdays and Thursdays: 9:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m. — Jesus exposed in the Monstrance on the altar
Parish History
St. Mary's roots stretch back to the 1850s, when Rev. Patrick O'Kelly rode in from Dexter once a month to say Mass in four homes. The original brick church was completed in 1867 under Rev. John Van Gennip, seated 400, and served as a mission of Dexter and Chelsea until 1875. The parish became a resident parish in 1895 with the arrival of its first permanent pastor, Rev. Michael Comerford, who built the original rectory (today the 'White House'). Through the 20th century the parish weathered a tornado (1962), built and rebuilt churches (1965 and 2003), opened and closed its school, and constructed an Activity Center and a new campus—each chapter overseen by successive pastors whose names are still recalled by longtime parishioners.
- 1850s — Rev. Patrick O'Kelly celebrates monthly Mass in four local homes
- 1867 — Original brick St. Mary church completed (capacity 400)
- 1881 — Parish purchases its current cemetery site (Jan. 24, 1881)
- 1895–1911 — Rev. Michael Comerford, first permanent pastor; rectory built
- 1948–1958 — Rev. Albert Schmitt raises $125,000; school cornerstone laid Sept. 14, 1955; 102 students enrolled 1956
- 1958 — Rev. George Horkan succeeds Fr. Schmitt
- April 23, 1962 — Tornado damages church and rectory; school spared
- Jan. 24, 1965 — Second St. Mary dedicated; capacity 600+
- 1965 — Original 1867 church demolished; Lourdes grotto built on the site
- 1967 — Rev. Hugh Conkin succeeds Fr. Horkan
- 1970s — School closed
- 1983 — Rev. John Fackler arrives; school reopens K–3
- 1986 — Parish Activity Center completed
- 1988 — School expanded through 8th grade
- 1992 — Fr. Fackler departs
- 1992–1995 — Rev. Jim Shaver serves
- 1995 — Rev. Kenneth Coughlin arrives
- 1999 — Renovation Team formed to study growth options
- April 14, 2002 — Ground broken for the new St. Mary campus
- May 10, 2003 — New church dedicated by Bishop Mengling (capacity 950+)
St. Mary Catholic School
St. Mary Catholic School, an integral part of the parish since 1955, serves students from Preschool through 8th grade under the core pillars of Faith, Scholarship, and Service. Currently led by Principal Sarah Salow and Pastor Fr. Tyler Arens, the school offers small class sizes, a robust curriculum, daily Mass twice a week (Wednesdays and Fridays), classroom prayer, and Eucharistic Adoration. The school is affiliated with the Diocese of Lansing and accredited by the Michigan Association of Non-Public Schools (MANS).
- Preschool through 8th grade
- Faith, Scholarship, and Service as core pillars
- Daily Mass twice a week (Wed & Fri) for students
- Eucharistic Adoration and classroom prayer
- Principal: Sarah Salow
- Accredited by MANS; affiliated with the Diocese of Lansing
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith formation at St. Mary is rooted in the conviction that 'faith begins in the home.' The parish partners with parents as the primary catechists of their children through a family catechesis program that combines catechesis, sacramental preparation, and a relationship with Jesus. First Eucharist preparation typically occurs during second grade, in either the school or the parish religious education program; older parishioners can contact the faith formation office. Adult faith formation offerings include Men's and Women's groups, Inner Healing Prayer Ministry, the Rescue Project, and Eucharistic Adoration. The parish also hosts RCIA for those inquiring about becoming Catholic and offers a free parish membership to Formed.org for Catholic video, audio, and book resources.
- Family Catechesis as the basis of religious education
- First Eucharist preparation in 2nd grade (school or PSR)
- Adult faith formation: Men's & Women's groups, Inner Healing Prayer, The Rescue Project
- RCIA & Becoming Catholic
- Free Formed.org parish membership (code: stmarypinckney)
- Director of Faith Formation: Rob Horning
Ministries & Parish Life
The parish's Ministry Guide describes more than a dozen lay communities where parishioners can live out their faith. Prayer and devotion ministries include Eucharistic Adoration, the Rosary Altar Society, Rosary Makers, and a Prayer Ministry with prayer chain, couples prayer groups, and small groups. Outreach and service include the St. Mary Food Pantry and Baby Ministry, Walking with Moms (in partnership with Livingston County Catholic Charities), and a Homebound ministry. Discipleship and formation groups include Women of Grace and the collaborative Young Adult Ministry (YAM) shared with seven other Livingston County parishes: Holy Spirit, St. Agnes, St. Augustine, St. John, St. Joseph, St. Mary Magdalen, and St. Patrick.
- Eucharistic Adoration
- Rosary Altar Society
- Rosary Makers
- Prayer Ministry (prayer chain, couples, small groups)
- Women of Grace
- Young Adult Ministry (YAM) — collaborative, 18–35, eight Livingston County parishes
- Homebound Ministry
- St. Mary Food Pantry & Baby Ministry
- Walking with Moms (with Livingston County Catholic Charities)
- Youth Group
Sacraments
St. Mary prepares parishioners for and celebrates all the Sacraments of the Church. Reconciliation is offered twice weekly plus by appointment; the Eucharist is celebrated at eight Masses each week with continuous Eucharistic Adoration in the parish chapel; Baptism is scheduled through the parish office; First Eucharist is prepared for in second grade; and Marriage, Anointing of the Sick, and Confirmation are arranged by contacting the parish office.
- Reconciliation (Confession) — Saturday and Tuesday schedules plus by appointment
- Eucharist — eight weekly Masses plus 24/7 Adoration chapel
- Baptism — preparation available; contact the parish office
- First Eucharist — second-grade preparation in school or PSR
- Marriage, Anointing of the Sick, Confirmation — by appointment through the parish office
Clergy & Parish Staff
St. Mary is currently served by Pastor Fr. Tyler Arens, who was appointed by Bishop Earl Boyea effective July 1, 2025 (transferred from Parochial Vicar of St. Mary Star of the Sea in Jackson). He is assisted by Deacons Randy Coffelt and Dan Hall, with Deacon Randy Koenigsknecht assigned to the parish by the diocese in May 2024. The lay staff includes the school principal, Director of Music, Director of Faith Formation, Business Manager and Director of Communications, Social Media Coordinator, Administrative Assistant, Facilities and Maintenance Supervisor, Special Projects Coordinator, and Youth Group leader.
- Pastor: Rev. Tyler Arens (since July 1, 2025)
- Deacon Randy Coffelt
- Deacon Dan Hall
- Deacon Randy Koenigsknecht (assigned May 2024)
- Principal: Sarah Salow
- Director of Music: Kathleen Rea
- Director of Faith Formation: Rob Horning
- Business Manager & Director of Communications: Heather Schultz
- Social Media Coordinator: Adam Martin
- Special Projects Coordinator / Capital Campaign Director: Chuck Frank
- Youth Group: Charlotte Peter
- Administrative Assistant: Kim Hogan
- Facilities and Maintenance Supervisor: Linda Schneider
Our Mission & Core Purpose
St. Mary states its Core Purpose as bringing 'Jesus to the center of the life of each family.' Everything the parish does — Eucharistic Adoration, family catechesis, the Catholic school, and every ministry — flows from that purpose. Three values animate the parish's work: Take it to Christ, Encourage in Faith, and Speak the Truth.
- Core Purpose: bring Jesus to the center of the life of each family
- Value 1: Take it to Christ
- Value 2: Encourage in Faith
- Value 3: Speak the Truth
Cemetery
St. Mary has maintained a parish cemetery since January 24, 1881, when the current cemetery site was purchased. Before that date, parishioners were buried in the old Dexter cemetery at Dexter Townhall and Quigley Roads.
- Parish cemetery in use since January 24, 1881
- Pre-1881 burials were at the old Dexter cemetery
Visit, Contact & Getting Involved
Visitors and newcomers are warmly welcomed at St. Mary. The parish invites people to register through its Flocknote communication system (by text or online form), to attend Sunday Mass, and to consider how the Holy Spirit may be calling them to serve. Those interested in any ministry can email the parish office or contact specific ministry leaders; the parish office can also be reached by phone at (734) 878-3161 for appointments, sacramental preparation, or general inquiries.
- Address: 10601 Dexter-Pinckney Road, Pinckney, MI 48169
- Office phone: (734) 878-3161
- Register via Flocknote (text keyword or online form)
- Livingston County Deanery parish within the Diocese of Lansing
- Newcomers invited to Sunday Mass and to explore ministries
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Patrick O'Kelly1850s
Came from Dexter once a month to say Mass in four local homes before a church existed.
- Rev. John Van Gennip1860s
Of Dexter; charged with constructing the original brick church, completed 1867.
- Rev. Michael Comerford1895–1911
First permanent pastor; built the original rectory, later relocated and known as the 'White House.'
- Rev. Albert Schmitt1948–1958
Built the school (cornerstone 1955), renovated a convent for three nuns, purchased land for parking; Sisters of Dominic taught the first classes.
- Rev. George Horkan1958–1967
Oversaw repairs after the April 1962 tornado; built and dedicated the second St. Mary church (Jan. 24, 1965) with capacity 600+.
- Rev. Hugh Conkin1967–1983
Pastored through the 1970s; the school was closed during his tenure.
- Rev. John Fackler1983–1992
Reopened the school one grade at a time, completing K–8 by 1988; built the Activity Center (1986).
- Rev. Jim Shaver1992–1995
Deep impact on parish spiritual life despite a short tenure.
- Rev. Kenneth Coughlin1995–
Faced the challenge of a growing faith community needing more space; led into the new-campus planning era.
- Rev. Daniel Kogutbefore July 2025
Immediate predecessor; reassigned to St. John the Baptist, Ypsilanti in 2025 clergy assignments.
- Rev. Tyler ArensEffective July 1, 2025
Transferred from Parochial Vicar of St. Mary Star of the Sea, Jackson; current pastor.