About St. Patrick · Portland, Michigan
St. Patrick Parish is a vibrant, faith-filled Catholic community of more than 1,500 families in Portland, Michigan — the 'city of two rivers' in Ionia County. Established over 130 years ago by Irish and German immigrants, the parish is sustained today by generations of those founding families alongside newer members who gather to worship and serve. St. Patrick is distinctive within the Diocese of Grand Rapids as the only parish in the diocese to operate a pre-school, daycare, and a DK–12 Catholic school. The parish is currently served by Fr. Logan Weber as canonical administrator (the parish's seventeenth pastor) alongside Deacon Randy Hodge, parish staff, and an active lay community.
- Established
- 1878
- Patron
- St. Patrick
- Rector
- Rev. Logan C. Weber
- Diocese
- Diocese of Grand Rapids
Why belong here
St. Patrick is a large, multi-generational Catholic community where 1,500+ families come together to celebrate the Eucharist, proclaim the Good News, and put stewardship into practice. As the only parish in the Diocese of Grand Rapids to operate a daycare, pre-school, and a DK–12 Catholic school, it offers an unusually complete formation path for children and youth. Active ministries span liturgical service, faith formation for all ages, OCIA/RCIA, youth ministry, music, and parish groups, all supported by a long tradition of lay involvement and a dedicated school and parish staff.
Mass times at St. Patrick
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Or by appointment
Adoration times
- Monday: Noon – 8:00 p.m. (chapel)
- Tuesday: Noon – 6:00 p.m. (church)
- Wednesday: Noon – 8:00 p.m. (chapel)
- Thursday: (time listed on the parish schedule)
- Friday: 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. (chapel)
- Saturday: (time listed on the parish schedule)
Parish Overview & Mission
St. Patrick Parish describes itself as a vibrant, faith-filled community of more than 1,500 families committed to spreading the good news of Jesus Christ. Founded over 130 years ago by Irish and German immigrants and sustained today by generations of those founding families alongside newer members, the parish is located in Portland, Michigan — the 'city of two rivers.' Its mission statement commits parishioners to celebrate the Eucharist, proclaim the Good News, encourage stewardship as a way of life, and grow in faith, justice, love, and service to all.
- Mission: celebrate the Eucharist
- Mission: proclaim the Good News
- Mission: encourage stewardship as a way of life
- Mission: grow in faith, justice, love, and service to all
- 1,500+ registered families
- Part of the Diocese of Grand Rapids (East Deanery, Ionia County)
Our History
St. Patrick Parish was established in 1878 under the spiritual care of the Bishop of Detroit, with visiting priests from Ionia, Muir, and Pewamo. Irish settlers — the Moriartys, Millers, Mathews, Siebels, Lawlesses, Mannings, Sondays, and Kilmartins — named the church after St. Patrick, the apostle of Ireland. Fr. Mathias Auer became the first official pastor in 1899. The current church was completed in 1927 under Fr. William O'Rourke, and the school has been educating students for over 110 years. The parish transitioned from the Diocese of Detroit to the Diocese of Lansing in 1937, and to the Diocese of Grand Rapids in 1938. The parish marked its centennial in 1999 and the school's centennial in 2006.
- 1878: Parish founded; early Masses by visiting priests
- 1899: Fr. Mathias Auer becomes first official pastor
- 1908: Fr. John Koelzer succeeds Auer; school staffed by Sisters of St. Joseph
- 1927: Current church building completed under Fr. William O'Rourke
- 1937: Parish transferred to the Diocese of Lansing
- 1938: Parish transferred to the Diocese of Grand Rapids
- 1945–1962: Msgr. Louis Flohe — longest-serving pastor
- 1999: Parish centennial celebrated
- 2006: School centennial celebrated
- 2018: Fr. Mike Alber becomes sixteenth pastor
- July 1, 2025: Fr. Logan Weber becomes seventeenth pastor
Clergy & Parish Staff
The parish is led by Fr. Logan C. Weber as Canonical Administrator and Pastor, with Deacon Randy Hodge assisting in parish and school life. The parish office staff supports faith formation, music, youth ministry, communications, and administration. The Diocese of Grand Rapids lists Fr. Weber as the canonical administrator for the parish.
- Fr. Logan C. Weber — Pastor / Canonical Administrator
- Deacon Randy Hodge
- Lori Thelen
- Nikki Brown
- Mike Kissane — Adult Faith Formation
- Amy Smith — Administrative Assistant / parish archive contact
- James Tavadze — Liturgical Music Coordinator
- Julie Wight — Bookkeeper
Becoming Catholic — OCIA (formerly RCIA)
St. Patrick Parish welcomes adults who wish to become Catholic, who have not yet received First Communion or Confirmation, or who are simply curious about the Catholic faith. The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (formerly the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) walks inquirers through four stages: Inquiry, Catechumenate, Purification and Enlightenment, and Mystagogy. A new OCIA course is scheduled to begin on May 17, 2026.
- New OCIA course begins May 17, 2026
- Four stages: Inquiry, Catechumenate, Purification & Enlightenment, Mystagogy
- Open to catechumens, candidates, and Catholics needing First Communion or Confirmation
- Contact: Mike Kissane — 517-647-6505 ext. 408, [email protected]
- Inquiry forms available on the parish website
Faith Formation & Youth Ministry
The parish offers faith formation for all ages — children, youth, and adults — alongside an active High School Youth Ministry program. The High School Youth group hosts retreats and other formation events, and the broader parish ministries program invites parishioners of all ages to share their time and talent.
- Children's Faith Formation
- Adult Faith Formation
- High School Youth Ministry (retreats, social, and service events)
- Parish Stewardship & Ministries book describes all ministry opportunities
- Areas of ministry: Worship & Liturgy, Catholic education, Outreach, Parish groups, and Parish operations
St. Patrick Catholic School (DK–12)
St. Patrick Catholic School has been educating the minds, bodies, and spirits of its students for over 110 years. The school mission is captured in six words: 'We Learn! We Achieve! We Lead!' The school is open to all families seeking a faith-based education and is unique in the Diocese of Grand Rapids as the only DK–12 Catholic school directly operated by a parish. The school building is at 122 West Street, Portland, MI 48875.
- Programs: Preschool, Daycare, Developmental Kindergarten, Elementary (DK–5), Middle School, High School
- Principal, Grades 6–12: Deacon Randy Hodge (also serves as pastor's delegate)
- Principal, Grades DK–5: Casey Lenneman
- Pastor / Canonical Administrator: Fr. Logan Weber
- Liturgical Music: James Tavadze
- Tuition 2026–2027: Grades 9–12 from $6,250 (1st child) to $3,550 (4th child); DK–8 from $5,550 to $2,850
- Preschool: 2-day $1,640, 3-day $2,145, 5-day $3,015
- Scholarship funds: Shamrock Scholarship Fund and Diocese of Grand Rapids
- School Board email: [email protected]
Preschool & Daycare
The preschool and daycare are licensed programs run out of the lower level of the main school building. The multi-age preschool serves 3- and 4-year-old children with flexible 2-, 3-, and 5-day schedules in morning or afternoon sessions. Tuition is tax deductible as a childcare expense (Tax ID# 38-1390536).
- Multi-age preschool for 3- and 4-year-olds
- Morning classes 8:30 – 11:30 a.m.; afternoon 12:30 – 3:30 p.m.
- Children must be 3 by the first day of school and toilet trained
- Lead teacher: Mrs. Teresa Knoop
- Licensed daycare with daily rates
- St. Patrick Little Shamrocks Daycare for younger children
Liturgical Ministries & Music
The parish offers many opportunities to serve in worship and liturgy. The Liturgical Music program, coordinated by James Tavadze, supports the sung prayer of the parish at Mass, and the school contributes a Middle School and High School choir. Liturgical ministry roles (such as lectors, extraordinary ministers, altar servers, and ushers) are filled by volunteer parishioners as part of the parish's stewardship of time and talent.
- Liturgical Music Coordinator: James Tavadze
- MS & HS Choir / Liturgical Music under Grace Snitgen
- Stewardship & Ministries book lists all liturgical ministry descriptions
- Volunteer opportunities in worship, education, outreach, parish groups, and operations
Outreach & Stewardship
St. Patrick frames its ministries under a stewardship model of time, talent, and treasure. Programs support Catholic education, outreach to those in need, and parish groups that put Catholic values into practice in the Portland community. The Scrip program helps families defray school tuition costs, and the Fr. Flohe Foundation continues to fund the school and offer scholarships.
- Outreach programs and projects
- Groups and activities incorporating Catholic values
- Parish Stewardship & Ministries book with ministry descriptions
- Scrip tuition assistance program
- Fr. Flohe Foundation (school scholarships and operating support)
Facilities, Grounds & Parish Life
Parish facilities include the 1927 church, a parish office built by Fr. Joseph Malewitz, a rectory at the corner of Church and Center Streets, and the school complex on West Street. The athletic field across from the church — Fr. Flohe Field — and the K of C Park pavilion are part of the parish's broader community footprint, used for school athletics and parish gatherings.
- Parish office at 140 Church Street
- School at 122 West Street
- Worship site at 520 W. Grand River (handicapped accessible)
- Fr. Flohe Field (athletic field, Grand River Ave. & Union St.)
- K of C Park pavilion on Grove Street
- St. Patrick shrine on Grand River Avenue, built where the old rectory stood
Contact & Location
Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish office by phone, fax, or email, and the school has a separate office line. The parish website at portlandstpats.com hosts the full schedule, staff directory, school information, history, and faith formation sign-ups.
- Parish: 140 Church Street, Portland, MI 48875
- Parish phone: 517-647-6505; fax: 517-647-7807
- Parish email: [email protected]
- School: 122 West Street, Portland, MI 48875
- School phone: 517-647-7551; fax: 517-647-4545
- Website: https://portlandstpats.com
- Diocese: Diocese of Grand Rapids (grdiocese.org)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Mathias Auer1899–1908
First official pastor; a German immigrant; directed construction of the parish school; died April 1908 and was buried in Portland Cemetery.
- Fr. John Koelzer1908–1920
Second pastor; began preparations for a new church and converted the original church to a parish hall; left before construction began.
- Fr. John Griffin1920–1922
Held the competition to select the architect for the new church; died at age 38 after surgery before construction began.
- Fr. William O'Rourke1922–1934
Oversaw construction of the new church, completed in 1927 and still in use today; designed by Henry Walsh.
- Fr. Joseph Rochford1934–1938
Transferred St. Patrick Parish from the Diocese of Detroit to the Diocese of Lansing in 1937.
- Fr. Joseph Kohler1938–1945
Guided the parish's transfer to the Diocese of Grand Rapids in 1938, where it remains.
- Fr. Louis Flohe (Msgr.)1945–1962
Longest-serving pastor (17 years); rebuilt the school (1951), added a wing (1961), expanded to K–12, purchased Fr. Flohe Field across the street; awarded the title of Monsignor.
- Fr. Julius Amman1962–1964
Served during the Second Vatican Council.
- Fr. Stephen Kolenic1964–1970
Oversaw implementation of changes from Vatican II.
- Fr. Joseph Malewitz1970–1974
Built the current Parish Office building and a new rectory at the corner of Church and Center Streets.
- Fr. Donald Weber1974–1983
Remodeled the sanctuary to meet the standards established by Vatican II.
- Fr. Richard VanLente1983–1990
Started the Fr. Flohe Foundation, which still funds the school and offers scholarships.
- Fr. Julian Reginato1990–1997
Began a major renovation program of all buildings and grounds in preparation for the 1999 centennial.
- Fr. Charles 'Charlie' Hall1997–2004
Completed the church interior renovation (Sept. 1997) and presided over the 1999 Parish Centennial; oversaw a 2001 school addition.
- Fr. Larry King2004–2018
Presided over the 2006 school centennial; acquired additional properties and plots for future expansion.
- Fr. Mike Alber2018–June 2025
Sixteenth pastor; began pastoral duties February 1, 2018.
- Fr. Logan WeberJuly 1, 2025 – Present
Seventeenth pastor and current Canonical Administrator of the parish and school.