About St. Michael · Frostburg, Maryland
St. Michael is a Roman Catholic parish in Frostburg, Maryland, founded in the mid-nineteenth century to serve the Irish Catholic immigrant population drawn to the western Maryland coalfields. Today it is one of five worship sites that make up Divine Mercy Parish in the Archdiocese of Baltimore, joining with St. Joseph (Midland), St. Ann (Grantsville), St. Peter (Westernport), and St. Gabriel (Barton) under a single pastoral team. The parish runs a Faith Formation program for children and youth, prepares Catholics for the sacraments of initiation, and offers Mass in the historic Gothic Revival brick church that has anchored Frostburg's East Main Street since 1868.
- Established
- 1852
- Patron
- St. Michael the Archangel
- Rector
- Rev. Edward S. Hendricks
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Baltimore
Why belong here
St. Michael welcomes Catholics and visitors into a historic Gothic Revival church in the heart of Frostburg, with Mass offered several times each week, weekday adoration, Saturday confession, and a parish-sponsored Faith Formation program for children, youth, and adults preparing for the sacraments. As one of five worship sites in Divine Mercy Parish, it combines the intimacy of a small-town parish—where generations of western Maryland families have worshipped since 1852—with the wider resources of an Archdiocese of Baltimore community. Whether you're drawn by the Irish-immigrant roots on the former Frost homestead, the active Religious Education and Youth Ministry programs, or simply a place to pray along Main Street, St. Michael offers a long-standing Catholic home in the Allegheny highlands.
Mass times at St. Michael
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 4:00 pm – 4:45 pm at St. Michael, Frostburg (other times available by appointment)
Adoration times
- Tuesday: 8:00 am – 8:30 am (before 8:30 Mass) at St. Michael, Frostburg
- Wednesday: 6:00 pm – 6:30 pm at St. Michael, Frostburg
- Thursday: 8:00 am – 8:30 am (before 8:30 Mass) at St. Michael, Frostburg
History of St. Michael, Frostburg
St. Michael's has served Frostburg's Catholics since the early 1850s, when Irish immigrants arrived for the coal mines and Rev. Michael Slattery took charge of the first regular congregation. Father Slattery converted the old Highland Hall into the parish's first church and rectory; the present Gothic Revival brick church was begun in 1868 during the pastorate of Rev. Louis Morgan and brought to completion under Rev. Valentine Schmitt, who organized the parish, built the rectory in 1871, and arranged for both the cemetery on McCulloh's Hill and the Frost family memorial that still stands before the church.
- 1849/1850 – Rev. Michael Slattery arrives and remodels Highland Hall into the first St. Michael's.
- 1868 – Cornerstone of the present brick church is laid on August 2 during Rev. Louis Morgan's pastorate.
- 1869 – Rev. Valentine Schmitt organizes St. Michael's as a full parish, completes the church, builds the rectory (1871), and acquires cemetery land on McCulloh's Hill.
- 1891 – Rev. Stephen J. Clarke opens St. Michael's School, staffed by Ursuline sisters; 1912 parish hall completed during his tenure.
- 1943 – Rev. Francis E. Montgomery begins a long administration; the 175-foot steeple is replaced and the interior renovated.
- 1968 – School fire; Rev. John Reinsfelder oversees the rebuilding.
- 2008 – St. Michael's School closes after 115+ years; buildings sold to the Frostburg Museum Association.
- 2015 – St. Michael Hall demolished; the site becomes a city parking lot with a historical marker.
- Recent – St. Michael is united with neighboring parishes as one of the five worship sites of Divine Mercy Parish under founding pastor Rev. Edward S. Hendricks.
Parish Staff & Pastoral Leadership
St. Michael is served by the priests and staff of Divine Mercy Parish, who minister across all five worship sites. The pastor, founding pastor of the combined parish, is assisted by an associate pastor, a deacon, a director of mission, a business manager, a bookkeeper, and a director of music and liturgy.
- Rev. Edward S. Hendricks – Pastor ([email protected])
- Fr. Eric Gauchat – Associate Pastor ([email protected])
- Deacon Harold Bradley ([email protected])
- Ms. Margaret Meyers – Director of Mission ([email protected])
- Mr. Edward Jones – Business Manager ([email protected])
- Mrs. Virginia Gostomski – Bookkeeper ([email protected])
- Mrs. Alison Lyons – Director of Music and Liturgy / Administrative Associate ([email protected])
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The Religious Education program of Divine Mercy Parish — which serves the children and youth of St. Michael's as well as the other worship sites — is designed to connect people of all ages to life in the Church and the joy of faith in Christ. The team partners with parents to strengthen the foundation of faith that begins in the home, and provides lifelong formation for children, youth, and adults. Classes meet at the Education Center on the first floor of St. Joseph Church in Midland, with additional programming at St. Michael Hall in Frostburg.
- Children's Faith Formation (tied to scripture, sacraments, and Catholic tradition)
- Family-Based Faith Formation
- Elementary and middle-school catechesis
- High School Youth Ministry (Grades 9–12)
- Sacramental Preparation for Baptism, Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and Confirmation
- RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) for unbaptized adults and those preparing for Confirmation
Sacramental Preparation
The parish celebrates each of the sacraments of initiation. Children are typically prepared for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist in second grade after a year of prior religious education, and Confirmation is offered every two years for students in ninth grade and older, who must complete two years of Religious Education and 15 hours of community service. Adults preparing for Baptism, Confirmation, or reception into the Church enter through the RCIA, directed by the Director of Mission.
- Baptism preparation for infants and children of catechetical age
- First Reconciliation and First Eucharist in 2nd grade (with prior-year enrollment in Religious Education or Bishop Walsh)
- Confirmation every two years (Easter season); next celebration scheduled for 2025
- RCIA for adults — contact Margie Meyers, Director of Mission, at [email protected] or (301) 687-6767
- Marriage: contact the parish office; completion of a marriage preparation program is required
Music & Liturgy
Music ministry at Divine Mercy Parish is led by Mrs. Alison Lyons, who serves as Director of Music and Liturgy and Administrative Associate. The parish has a long history of musical worship stretching back to Father Clarke's installation of the pipe organ and Father Montgomery's electric organ; a parish choir and music program support the Masses and liturgical celebrations offered at St. Michael and the other sites.
- Director of Music and Liturgy: Mrs. Alison Lyons ([email protected])
- Parish choir and music program at weekend and holy day liturgies
- Wedding and funeral music coordination through the parish office
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Michael Slatteryc. 1849/1850–1860
First priest to take charge of a regular congregation in Frostburg; purchased Highland Hall and remodeled it into the first St. Michael's.
- Rev. Louis Morgan
Third pastor; cornerstone of the present church was laid August 2, 1868 during his administration.
- Rev. Valentine Schmitt1869–
Fourth pastor; organized the parish, completed the church, built the rectory in 1871, and acquired land on McCulloh's Hill for the new cemetery.
- Rev. Stephen J. Clarke
Sixth resident pastor; founded St. Michael's School (opened 1891), brought Ursuline sisters to teach, completed parish hall in 1912 and oversaw the Eckhart school and pipe organ installation.
- Rev. Francis E. Montgomery1943–
Administrator; repainted the interior, installed new lighting and a new electric organ, replaced the 175-foot steeple, opened the school cafeteria in 1947 and built the stone playground wall.
- Rev. John Reinsfelder1968–
Named pastor after the 1968 school fire; oversaw the remodeling and continued the parish's commitment to Catholic education.
- Rev. Edward S. Hendricksfounding pastor of Divine Mercy Parish
Founding pastor when St. Michael was united with the other parishes into Divine Mercy Parish.