About St. Mary's Visitation · Byron Center, Michigan
St. Mary's Visitation Parish is a Roman Catholic parish of the Diocese of Kalamazoo, perched on a hill in northern Allegan County in Byron Center, Michigan. The parish traces its roots to German immigrant farmers who founded St. Mary's Church in the New Salem area in 1866 and laid the cornerstone of the present-day church in 1908. In 1981 St. Mary's merged with Visitation Church of North Dorr to form today's parish, which today offers weekend and daily Mass, an accredited PreK-6 school, faith formation for all ages, Eucharistic adoration, and a wide range of parish committees rooted in its small-town, farming-community heritage.
- Established
- 1866
- Patron
- The Blessed Virgin Mary (under the titles of St. Mary and the Visitation)
- Rector
- Rev. Christopher J. Derda
- Diocese
- Diocese of Kalamazoo
Why belong here
St. Mary's Visitation offers the full rhythm of Catholic life — daily and weekend Mass, Saturday confessions, all-day Thursday Eucharistic adoration, and a Parish School of religion and PreK-6th grade academy — all in a setting that still feels rooted in its German-farming heritage on a hilltop in Byron Center. With active committees such as the Altar Society, Holy Name Society, Pastoral Council, Liturgy Committee, Christian Neighbors, and a Home and School Association, parishioners of every age and vocation can find a way to belong, serve, and grow in faith together.
Mass times at St. Mary's Visitation
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Thursday: 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
- Saturday: 4:00 PM to 4:45 PM
- Or by appointment
Adoration times
- Thursday: 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM (and other extended hours via the parish Adoration Sub List)
History of St. Mary's Visitation
St. Mary's Visitation traces its roots to 1866, when German immigrant farmers in the New Salem area of northern Allegan County founded St. Mary's Church. They built the present-day church in 1908 using volunteer labor and making the blocks one-by-one on site, creating the hilltop landmark that defines the parish today. In 1981, St. Mary's merged with Visitation Church of North Dorr, about two miles northeast, and took the combined name St. Mary's Visitation (SMV). A long-awaited parish school opened in 1989, and the church received a major interior and exterior renovation in 2003 with new air conditioning and improved handicap access.
- 1866 — German settlers found St. Mary's Church in New Salem
- 1908 — Cornerstone of the present-day church laid by volunteers
- 1981 — Merger with Visitation Church of North Dorr forms St. Mary's Visitation
- 1989 — Seven-classroom parish school opens (PreK-6)
- 2003 — Church renovated, air conditioning and handicap access added
Parish School (PreK-6th Grade)
Opened in 1989, the SMV Parish School is an accredited preschool through 6th-grade school serving families of Byron Center and the surrounding area. The school works closely with the Hopkins Public School district to ensure students receive a well-rounded education, and it partners with parish faith formation to nurture the spiritual as well as academic growth of every child.
- Accredited PreK-6th grade school
- Seven classrooms (completed 1989)
- Coordinates with Hopkins Public School district
- Supported by the Home and School Association
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith formation at St. Mary's Visitation is directed by Kathryn Mulderink, Director of Faith Formation, and serves learners of every age — from three-year-olds through adults, including special-needs students. Programming includes the parish religious education program (CCD), Sunday and Wednesday Bible studies, the Youth Group, RCIA for adults entering the Church, and Confirmation preparation across two years. The parish also participates in the wider North Allegan Catholic Collaborative for faith formation.
- Director of Faith Formation: Kathryn Mulderink
- Parish religious education (3 yrs – Grade 12, including special needs)
- RCIA
- Youth Group
- Confirmation Preparation (Year 1 and Year 2)
- Sunday and Wednesday Bible Studies
- C.A.F.E. Faith Formation Sundays
- Adult Faith Formation classes
Parish Life & Committees (Becoming Involved)
SMV's parish life is organized through a rich network of committees and councils, reflecting the community's small-town, hands-on character. From liturgical and pastoral councils to social and service groups, parishioners have many ways to share their gifts.
- Pastoral Council
- Finance Council
- Liturgy Committee
- Education Commission / Local Consultative Advisory Board (LCAB)
- Buildings and Grounds Committee
- Home and School Association
- Altar Society (four circles; funeral luncheons, pancake breakfasts, soup supper, confirmation luncheon, feather party)
- Holy Name Society (open to all adult males)
- Christian Neighbors Committee (shut-in outreach, fruit baskets, welcoming new members)
- St. Mary's Educational Trust Fund Committee
- St. Mary's Visitation Education Foundation (est. September 5, 1990)
Parish Staff
The parish staff is led by Pastor Rev. Christopher J. Derda and Parochial Vicar Fr. Alan Jorgensen, with Rev. Stephen Rodrigo serving as Retired Priest in Residence. Lay staff support faith formation, parish administration, school operations, sacramental coordination, and youth ministry.
- Rev. Christopher J. Derda — Pastor
- Fr. Alan Jorgensen — Parochial Vicar
- Rev. Stephen Rodrigo — Retired Priest in Residence
- Kathryn Mulderink — Director of Faith Formation
- LuAnn Stein — Business Manager
- Faith Porter — Parish Secretary, Youth Ministry
- Geralyn Andres — Sacramental Coordinator
Visit, Contact & Directions
St. Mary's Visitation welcomes visitors and new parishioners at 2459 146th Ave., Byron Center, Michigan. From US-131, take exit 68 west 6 miles to 26th St., north to 146th Ave., and east half a mile. The parish office can be reached by phone during business hours, and live-streamed Sunday Mass at 9:00 AM lets those unable to attend in person stay connected.
- Address: 2459 146th Ave., Byron Center, MI 49315
- Phone: (616) 681-9701
- Website: smvchurch.org
- Live-Streamed Sunday Mass: 9:00 AM
- Handicap-accessible entrance (added in 2003 renovation)