About St. Michael · Lowell, Massachusetts
St. Michael Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in the Centralville neighborhood of Lowell, Massachusetts, serving Lowell and Dracut since 1883. The parish sits on the north bank of the Merrimack River and operates 'One Parish, One School, One Faith Community,' combining its parish school (founded 1889 by the Dominican Sisters) with religious education, youth ministry, and a strong tradition of social outreach. It belongs to the Archdiocese of Boston and offers daily and weekend Masses, Saturday reconciliation, Tuesday Eucharistic Adoration, and dozens of lay ministries.
- Established
- 1883
- Patron
- St. Michael the Archangel
- Rector
- Rev. Christopher Lowe
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Boston (Metropolitan Archdiocese)
Why belong here
St. Michael's offers a complete Catholic life in one place: a parish school that has educated Lowell-area children in the Catholic tradition since 1889, a religious education program for grades K-6 and Confirmation preparation beginning in 7th grade, active youth ministry, and one of the most extensive lay-ministry rosters in the area — from choir, lectors, and Eucharistic adoration to a St. Vincent de Paul Society, Community Kitchen, OCIA, and a Men's Prayer Group. Daily Mass Monday through Friday, two Sunday Masses, Saturday reconciliation and Tuesday adoration make it easy to pray with a real community rooted in 140+ years of Lowell Catholic history.
Mass times at St. Michael
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00–3:30 PM in the church
- By appointment — call the rectory at (978) 459-0713 to schedule a face-to-face meeting with a priest
Adoration times
- Tuesdays 6:00–7:00 PM in the Baptistry (Eucharistic Adoration)
About St. Michael Parish
St. Michael Parish has served the Centralville neighborhood of Lowell and the town of Dracut since 1883. The parish describes itself as 'One Parish, One School, One Faith Community' — a single community where the parish school, religious education programs, youth ministry, and dozens of lay ministries work together. Rooted in the Eucharist and Catholic tradition, the parish works to revitalize Christian values through openness to God's word and gospel call to love God and neighbor.
History
St. Michael Parish was established in 1883 by Archbishop John J. Williams of Boston, who reorganized Lowell into geographically-defined parishes. The largely Irish immigrant community of Centralville and the entire town of Dracut was carved out from existing parishes, with about 1,100 people in the initial census. Founding pastor Rev. William O'Brien celebrated the first Catholic Mass in Centralville on January 6, 1884, in the hall of the Fourth Street engine house, with ground broken for a permanent church that December.
Building the Church, 1883–1900
Construction moved quickly at first: the cornerstone was laid on April 21, 1884, in a ceremony led by Archbishop Williams with a procession of Catholic societies from St. Patrick's Church. The basement was blessed and the altar consecrated on June 22, 1884, and served as the worship space for sixteen years. Architect P. D. Keeley of New York drew the plans for the upper church; exterior work began in June 1898 and the interior was completed in June 1900. The upper church was dedicated on June 14, 1900 — the 25th anniversary of Fr. O'Brien's ordination and 16th of his pastorate.
- 1883, Dec 9/10 — Contracts awarded, ground broken for the new church
- 1884, Jan 6 — First Catholic Mass in Centralville, in the Fourth Street engine house
- 1884, April 21 — Cornerstone laid by Archbishop Williams
- 1884, June 22 — Basement church blessed and altar consecrated
- 1898, June — Work begins on the upper church to Keeley designs
- 1900, June 14 — Upper church dedicated
Saint Michael School (Founded 1889)
Saint Michael School was founded in 1889 by the Dominican Sisters to educate parish children and pass on Catholic tradition. Today it is a fully accredited Catholic elementary school (Pre-K through grade 8), accredited by the Archdiocese of Boston Department of Education and the NEASC, with its own principal, athletics, and tuition structure. Its mascot is the Angels.
- Founded 1889 by the Dominican Sisters
- Grades: Pre-K 3 through 8
- Enrollment: approximately 225 students; average class size 18
- Mascot: Angels
- Accredited by the Archdiocese of Boston Department of Education and the NEASC
- Located at 21 6th St, Lowell, MA 01850
- Principal: Gabriela Twaalfhoven
Staff & Clergy
The parish is led by pastor Rev. Christopher Lowe and supported by priests in residence, deacons, and a full lay staff covering administration, music, faith formation, youth ministry, communications, facilities, and the parish school.
- Rev. Christopher Lowe — Pastor
- Fr. Isaac Ogba — Priest in Residence
- Fr. Ron St. Pierre — Senior Priest in Residence
- Deacon Gerry Hardy
- Deacon Frederick O'Brien — Senior Deacon
- Chris Hebert — Office Manager & Bookkeeper
- Ernie Houle — Director of Music Ministries
- Nicole Walsh — Director of Religious Education
- Ashley Melanchook — Confirmation Coordinator
- Brigid Monahan — Event/Youth Ministry Coordinator
- Mary Brooks — Parish & Religious Ed Secretary
- Brittany Dick — Social Media & Bulletin
- Jim Kane — Facilities
- Joyce Cloutier — Housekeeper
- Gabriela Twaalfhoven — Principal, Saint Michael School
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith formation at St. Michael's spans childhood through adulthood. Elementary Religious Education meets on Saturdays at Saint Michael School, while teens preparing for Confirmation meet on Sunday evenings. Adults enter the Church or complete their sacraments through the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA).
- Religious Education for grades K–6 — Saturdays 9:00–10:30 AM, September–April, at Saint Michael School
- High School Confirmation — begins in 7th grade, Sundays 3:30–7:00 PM in the church hall
- OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) — for unbaptized adults, baptized Christians entering full communion, and uncatechized baptized Catholics
- Adult Confirmation Program for baptized Catholics seeking Confirmation
Youth Ministry
The parish runs a dedicated youth ministry program led by Event/Youth Ministry Coordinator Brigid Monahan, with regular Bible studies, game nights, and senior parties for older teens.
- Bible Study (recurring Thursday evenings, 7–8 PM)
- Game Night (Saturday evenings, 7–9 PM)
- Senior Party (for older youth)
- 'Our Faith' youth sessions
Music & Liturgical Ministries
Music is led by Director of Music Ministries Ernie Houle, who directs both the Adult Choir and the seasonal Hand Bell Choir. Liturgical service is supported by a wide range of lay ministries assisting at the altar and around the parish.
- Music Ministry — Ernie Houle, Director
- Adult Choir rehearsals: Wednesday evenings 7:00 PM
- Hand Bell Choir rehearsals: seasonal, Tuesday evenings 7:00 PM
- All adult rehearsals in the main church
- Altar Servers (grades 4+) and Senior Altar Servers
- Lectors
- Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist
- Sacristans
- Greeters and Ushers
- Liturgical Linen Service
- Altar Society (flowers, sanctuary supplies, Christmas/Easter decorating)
Parish Life, Outreach & Charity
Parish life at St. Michael's is built around lay participation: liturgical service, social-justice outreach, men's and women's groups, and the annual parish bazaar. The parish's two principal charity arms are the long-running St. Vincent de Paul Society and the monthly Community Kitchen meal.
- St. Vincent de Paul Society — founded 1948, funded by the SVdP boxes at the church exits
- Community Kitchen — third weekend of each month, volunteers cook and serve a meal for those in need
- Outreach to Homebound — bring Eucharist to registered parishioners who cannot attend Mass
- Bereavement Ministry — assists priests and families at funerals and graveside services
- Hospitality / Fellowship Committee — coordinates social gatherings
- Men's Prayer Group — Wednesdays 7:00–8:00 PM in the church hall
- Offertory Counters, Parish Pastoral Council, Finance Council
- Annual Parish Bazaar
- Protecting God's Children (Virtus) training and annual CORI for all volunteers
Becoming Catholic (OCIA)
St. Michael's welcomes new Catholics through the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (formerly RCIA), a parish-based process of education, faith sharing, and rites for unbaptized adults, baptized Christians entering full communion, and uncatechized Catholic adults. The parish describes OCIA as 'companions for the journey,' with sponsors or mentors and the support of the parish community. Anyone interested is encouraged to contact the rectory at (978) 459-0713.
Sacraments
St. Michael's celebrates Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, Reconciliation, Marriage, and Anointing/Communion for the Homebound, with all sacramental preparation coordinated through the rectory and the parish school.
- Baptism — 11:00 AM on the fourth Sunday; parent class required; contact rectory at least one month ahead
- First Communion — via K–6 Religious Education program
- Confirmation — High School program beginning in 7th grade
- Reconciliation — Saturdays 3:00–3:30 PM or by appointment
- Marriage — contact rectory one year in advance; meet with priest before confirming date
- Anointing of the Sick / Communion for the Homebound — call the rectory
- OCIA and Adult Confirmation available year-round
Visit, Contact & Practical Info
The parish welcomes visitors and is easy to reach by phone, mail, or in person during rectory hours. The latest bulletin and parish calendar are posted on the website, and the parish keeps in touch with parishioners through its social media and bulletin channels (managed by Brittany Dick).
- Rectory phone: (978) 459-0713
- Address: 543 Bridge St, Lowell, MA 01850
- Rectory hours: Monday–Thursday, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Website: http://www.saint-michael.com/
- Bulletin and parish calendar available online
- Catholic Appeal participation supported through the Archdiocese of Boston
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. William O'Brien1883–c.1916+
Founding pastor. Organized the parish, broke ground on the new church in December 1883, celebrated the first Mass in January 1884, and saw the upper church designed by P. D. Keeley dedicated on June 14, 1900 (his 25th ordination anniversary and 16th year as pastor).