About St. Mary-St. Paul Parish · Big Rapids, Michigan
St. Mary–St. Paul Catholic Community is a Roman Catholic parish in Big Rapids, Michigan, in the Diocese of Grand Rapids. The parish uniquely operates across two worship sites: historic St. Mary Church at 1009 Marion Avenue and St. Paul Campus Church at 1 Damascus Road on the campus of Ferris State University. Serving both the local Mecosta County community and the university Catholic Newman Center, the parish offers daily and Sunday Masses, Reconciliation, Adoration, faith formation, a parish school, music programs, and longstanding women's and fraternal organizations.
- Established
- 1873
- Patron
- The Blessed Virgin Mary (St. Mary) and St. Paul the Apostle
- Rector
- Rev. Jegar Fickel
- Diocese
- Diocese of Grand Rapids
Why belong here
St. Mary–St. Paul is a rare two-campus parish that bridges a historic downtown congregation and the Catholic Newman Center at Ferris State University, so parishioners can worship with students, faculty, and lifelong residents alike. The parish sustains daily Mass, weekday Adoration, a strong music program including a parish choir and Alleluia Assembly, active Knights of Columbus and Parish Council of Catholic Women (PCCW) groups, faith formation for families, and a PreK–8 Catholic school rooted in the Sisters of Mercy tradition. Whether you are a student, young family, or longtime resident of Big Rapids, it offers a full sacramental life — Mass, Reconciliation, Adoration, the Divine Mercy Chaplet — and a wide range of ministries for getting involved.
Mass times at St. Mary-St. Paul Parish
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday: 11:15–11:45 AM at St. Paul
- Wednesday: 8:30 PM at St. Paul (only when Ferris State is in session)
- Saturday: 4:00 PM at St. Mary
Adoration times
- Tuesday: 3:00–8:00 PM at St. Paul (only when Ferris State is in session)
- Thursday: 9:30 AM–5:00 PM at St. Mary
Parish History
St. Mary's Catholic community traces its origins to about 1855, when the first Catholic settlers arrived in the Big Rapids area and were served by visiting priests. A small wooden church was built in 1869, and in June 1873 the bishop of the diocese appointed a permanent pastor — the formal founding date still recognized by the Diocese of Grand Rapids. The original church burned in 1901; the community rebuilt a brick church dedicated in December 1902. That building stood for sixty years before being replaced by the current structure during 1962–63. The parish marked its 150th anniversary in 2023.
- Catholic settlers arrived c. 1855
- First wooden church built 1869
- Parish formally established June 1873
- Original church destroyed by fire 1901
- Second (brick) church dedicated December 1902
- Current church built 1962–63
- 150th anniversary celebrated 2023
Worship Sites
The parish operates across two worship sites: St. Mary Church at 1009 Marion Avenue (downtown Big Rapids, alongside the parish school, Parish Center, and Ministries building) and St. Paul Campus Church at 1 Damascus Road on the Ferris State University campus, which also serves as the Catholic Newman Center. St. Paul Chapel first celebrated Mass in September 1959 and the two parishes were merged under one administration in 2012 as St. Mary–St. Paul Parish.
- St. Mary Church — 1009 Marion Avenue, Big Rapids, MI 49307
- St. Paul Campus Church — 1 Damascus Road, Big Rapids, MI 49307
- Both sites are handicapped accessible
- St. Paul merged into the parish in 2012
Clergy and Parish Staff
The parish is led by Father Jegar Fickel as pastor and supported by a small, dedicated staff handling music, faith formation, administration, communications, and maintenance. The parish office is open Tuesday through Thursday with limited hours on Wednesday.
- Rev. Jegar Fickel — Pastor ([email protected])
- Erin Brown — Director of Music
- Beth Dake — Director of Faith Formation & Family Life
- Mary Ann Mendenhall — Administrative Assistant
- Cathie Reed — Bookkeeper
- Madeline Tassoni — Pastoral Associate
- Amelia Topolinski — Director of Marketing
- Tony Matthews — Maintenance
- Office Hours: Monday closed; Tuesday 8 AM–4 PM; Wednesday 8 AM–1 PM; Thursday 8 AM–4 PM; Friday closed
Music and Liturgical Ministries
Music is central to parish life at St. Mary–St. Paul. Erin Brown organizes the parish choir for Saturday Mass, both Sunday Masses, Penance Services, concerts, and other events. The Alleluia Assembly gathers guitarists and singers for parish worship. The Newman Center students lead Adoration on Wednesday nights before the candle-lit Mass, and a men's schola chants once a month before Mass.
- Parish Choir
- Alleluia Assembly (guitarists and singers)
- Men's Schola (monthly chant)
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (EMHC)
- Lectors
- Altar Servers
Parish Organizations
Two longstanding organizations anchor parish life outside of Mass. The Parish Council of Catholic Women (PCCW) welcomes all women of the parish and runs major events such as the annual Christmas Bazaar (running nearly 70 years), the Mother's Day Banquet, and the 150th anniversary celebration in 2023. The Knights of Columbus council supports parish events and hosts a community pancake breakfast each year.
- Parish Council of Catholic Women (PCCW)
- Knights of Columbus (KOC) — annual pancake breakfast
- Christmas Bazaar (almost 70 years running)
- Mother's Day Banquet
Faith Formation
Beth Dake serves as Director of Faith Formation & Family Life, coordinating the parish's religious education and family ministries. Faith Formation is integrated with the parish school and family life, supporting parishioners from PreK through adult faith growth.
- Director of Faith Formation & Family Life: Beth Dake
- Family-life focused catechesis
- Programs support children and adults
St. Mary Catholic School
St. Mary Catholic School, located at 927 Marion Avenue across from the church, has served Big Rapids almost as long as the parish itself — the first classes were held in the mid-1880s in a temporary hospital behind the church, and the current brick school building dates to 1926 (its basement even served as the church while the newest St. Mary's was being built). Today the school serves PreK through Grade 8 in the Mercy tradition of hospitality and concern for those in need. Mrs. Colliene Willison became principal in June 2024 after 27 years as a middle-school teacher in Lakeview. The school offers a $500 New Family Discount and tuition assistance.
- Grades: PreK–8
- Enrollment: 172 students
- Yearly Tuition: $3,003 (with financial aid available)
- $500 New Family Discount
- Principal: Mrs. Colliene Willison (since June 2024)
- Rooted in the Sisters of Mercy tradition
- Address: 927 Marion Avenue, Big Rapids, MI 49307
- Phone: 231-796-6731
Catholic Newman Center at Ferris State
St. Paul Campus Church on the Ferris State University campus doubles as the Catholic Newman Center. The community gathers at the Sunday 12:00 PM (winter) / 11:00 AM (summer) Mass with brunch following, and on Wednesdays during the academic year for Adoration, Reconciliation, and a candle-lit 9:15 PM Mass. Newman students lead music during Wednesday Adoration.
- St. Paul Campus Church, 1 Damascus Road
- Student-led music during Wednesday Adoration
- Sunday Mass with brunch for students
- Men's Schola for monthly chant
Visit and Contact
Visitors are warmly welcomed at either campus. The parish office at 1009 Marion Avenue is open Tuesday through Thursday. Mass, Reconciliation, and Adoration times are subject to change around holidays — the parish bulletin carries the most current schedule.
- Parish office: 1009 Marion Avenue, Big Rapids, MI 49307
- Phone: 231-796-5202
- Pastor email: [email protected]
- Diocese: Grand Rapids (Northeast Deanery, Mecosta County)
- Handicapped accessible at both worship sites