About St. Sebastian · Byron Center, Michigan
St. Sebastian Catholic Parish is a Roman Catholic community in Byron Center, Michigan, about 18 miles southwest of Grand Rapids, in Kent County. Established in 1852 by German and northern Ohio pioneers, it is one of the oldest parishes in the Diocese of Grand Rapids. The parish currently worships at its Main Church on Wilson Avenue while still preserving and using the historic 1901-vintage church for weekday Masses, and is led by Rev. Msgr. William H. Duncan, JCL, who has served as pastor since 2007. The parish life is anchored by weekend Masses, year-round faith formation for children, youth and adults, a large music ministry, and an extensive network of outreach, social, and spiritual ministries.
- Established
- 1852
- Patron
- St. Sebastian
- Rector
- Rev. Msgr. William H. Duncan, JCL
- Diocese
- Diocese of Grand Rapids
Why belong here
St. Sebastian offers the rare combination of a long-established rural Catholic community rooted in 1852 and a contemporary, growing parish with two worship spaces — a newer Main Church for weekend Masses and a beloved historic church used for weekday Masses. A vibrant music ministry (with multiple choirs, handbells, cantors, and both adult and youth orchestras), a complete faith-formation program for children, youth, and adults, OCIA for those entering the Church, and dozens of ministries — Knights of Columbus, Seven Sisters Apostolate, Prayer Shawl, Grief Ministry, Homebound Ministry, Hand to Hand, Giving Tree, and more — mean there is a place for nearly every interest, age, and stage of life.
Mass times at St. Sebastian
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:00 PM (or by appointment)
Adoration times
- Friday 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM (Holy Hour)
Parish History & Heritage
St. Sebastian Parish was founded in 1852 by a small band of pioneers from Germany and northern Ohio who built a log church on land donated by John Jacob Wolf in the woods southwest of Grand Rapids. For several decades the community was served by priests traveling from Grand Rapids and Wright, 25 miles north. The log church served until about 1890, when structural concerns forced a merger with St. Mary's at North Dorr; that church was struck by lightning and burned in 1896, prompting Bishop Richter of Grand Rapids — aided by Father Egge — to reorganize the Byron Parish. Father F. H. Ruessmann became the first resident pastor and built the rectory in 1899 for $1,003. His successor, Father Anthony Eikelman, oversaw construction of the present (now-historic) church in 1901. The parish grew steadily through the twentieth century into a thriving rural community of farming families, served since 1921 by a continuous line of pastors through to the present day under Msgr. William H. Duncan.
- 1852: Log church built on property donated by John Jacob Wolf
- ~1890: Log church becomes unsafe; parish merges with St. Mary's at North Dorr
- 1896: St. Mary's at North Dorr destroyed by lightning; Byron Parish reorganized by Bishop Richter
- 1899: Rectory built under Fr. F. H. Ruessmann, first resident pastor
- 1901: Present historic church built under Fr. Anthony Eikelman
- 1908: Fr. William Hasenberg converts a former hotel into the parish school and sisters' quarters
- 1921: Fr. Ernest J. Walters begins a 47-year pastorate lasting until 1968
- c. 2007: New Main Church completed under Msgr. William H. Duncan
Sacraments
The parish prepares and ministers the sacraments of initiation, healing, and vocation. Dianna Rottiers serves as the parish contact for Baptisms and Weddings, while Daniel Allan is the contact for OCIA (the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, the modern equivalent of RCIA), Liturgy, and Evangelization. First Reconciliation and First Communion are typically prepared for through the parish's Religious Education program. Confession is offered weekly on Saturday afternoons and by appointment.
- Baptism — contact Dianna Rottiers, Pastoral Associate
- Wedding — contact Dianna Rottiers, Pastoral Associate
- OCIA (RCIA) — contact Daniel Allan, Pastoral Associate for OCIA, Liturgy, and Evangelization
- Reconciliation — Saturday 4:00 PM (and by appointment)
- First Reconciliation / First Communion — through Religious Education
Faith Formation
Faith Formation is described by the parish as 'at the heart of growing in relationship with Jesus Christ and His Church.' Programming is offered across the lifespan — for children through Religious Education, for youth through a dedicated Youth Ministry, and for adults through Adult Faith Formation opportunities. Children's Liturgy of the Word (CLOW) at Sunday Mass extends formation to children ages 4 through 2nd grade. The parish notes that this ministry thrives on the dedication of volunteers who share their time, talents, and love for Christ, and a dedicated Director of Religious Education, Morgan Domeier, coordinates the program along with a Director of Youth Ministry.
- Adult Faith Formation
- Religious Education (children)
- Youth Ministry
- Children's Liturgy of the Word (CLOW) at 9 AM Sunday Mass
Music Ministry
St. Sebastian maintains one of the most extensive music programs among parishes its size, with offerings for nearly every age and ability. The Music Ministry is led by Craig Swatt, Director of Liturgical Music, and encompasses vocal choirs, handbells, instrumental ensembles, and an orchestra — including a Youth Orchestra for younger musicians. The Resurrection Choir supports funeral liturgies, while the Wedding Music ministry serves couples preparing marriage.
- Adult Choir
- Cantor Ministry
- Children's Choir
- Ensemble
- Handbell Choir
- Resurrection Choir
- St. Sebastian Orchestra
- Youth Orchestra
- Wedding Music
Liturgical Ministries
Parishioners serve the Mass in a wide variety of liturgical roles — from the sanctuary to the doors and the tech booth. These ministries keep weekend and weekday liturgies running smoothly and warmly welcome visitors and regulars alike.
- Altar Server
- Art and Environment
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
- Greeter
- Lector
- Usher
- Welcoming Desk Ministry
- Tech Team
- Nursery
- Liturgical Ministry Schedule (available on the parish website)
Outreach & Social Ministries
The parish's outreach and social ministries extend the parish's mission into Byron Center and beyond — caring for people who are grieving, homebound, or in material need, welcoming newcomers, and partnering with local organizations. St. Sebastian partners with Byron Community Ministries on a Personal Care Drive and supports neighbors through a number of parish-led programs.
- Giving Tree Ministry
- Grief Ministry
- Hand to Hand
- Homebound Ministry
- Welcome Ministry
- Byron Community Ministries Personal Care Drive
- Funeral Lunch Teams
Spiritual Life & Fellowship
Beyond Sunday Mass, the parish supports a wide range of small groups, prayer circles, and fellowship opportunities to help parishioners grow in prayer and friendship.
- Centering Prayer
- Garden Committee
- Knights of Columbus
- Mother's Ministry Group
- Shelf Indulgence Book Club
- 50+ Ministry
- Euchre Nights
- Men's Morning Group
- Prayer Shawl Ministry
- Seven Sisters Apostolate
Parish Staff & Clergy
The parish is served by its pastor, two ordained staff (Deacon Paul Feldpausch and the pastor), and a full complement of lay ecclesial ministers, coordinators, and support staff. The parish office, reachable at 616-878-1619, is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
- Rev. Msgr. William H. Duncan, JCL — Pastor
- Deacon Paul Feldpausch
- Dianna Rottiers — Pastoral Associate (Baptisms & Weddings)
- Daniel Allan — Pastoral Associate (OCIA, Liturgy, and Evangelization)
- Craig Swatt — Director of Liturgical Music
- Morgan Domeier — Director of Religious Education
- Director of Youth Ministry
- Ally Fulton — Communications Coordinator
- Sue Rose — Business Manager/Secretary
- Theresa Duffy — Receptionist
- Liz Fischer — Maintenance
- Keith Kiel — Maintenance
Visit, Connect & Get Involved
St. Sebastian welcomes newcomers and visitors. Weekend Masses in the Main Church are Saturday at 5:00 PM and Sunday at 9:00 and 11:00 AM. The church and hall are handicapped accessible, and the parish office is open Monday–Friday 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Pastoral staff can be reached at 616-878-1619 or via the parish office email. Anyone interested in joining a ministry, faith formation, or sacramental preparation is encouraged to contact the parish office or to explore the parish's 'Get Involved' and 'Find Where You Belong' pages.
- Weekend Masses: Sat 5 PM; Sun 9 & 11 AM (Main Church)
- Weekday Masses: Tue/Thu/Fri 9 AM (Historic Church)
- Confession: Sat 4 PM, or by appointment
- Adoration / Holy Hour: Fri 8–9 AM
- Office hours: Mon–Fri, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Phone: 616-878-1619
- Email: [email protected]
- Handicapped-accessible church and hall
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. F. H. RuessmannFirst resident pastor (served until 1901)
First resident pastor of the Byron Parish; oversaw construction of the rectory in 1899 at a cost of about $1,003, using local material and labor.
- Rev. Anthony EikelmanFrom 1901
Succeeded Fr. Ruessmann; the present (now-historic) church was built during his tenure.
- Rev. William HasenbergFrom 1908
Arranged to have a former North Dorr hotel moved beside St. Sebastian and converted into a school and living quarters for the teaching Dominican sisters. Transferred to West Branch in 1915.
- Rev. Anthony BoslerFrom 1915
Came from St. Mary's in Grand Rapids to succeed Fr. Hasenberg.
- Rev. Ernest J. Walters1921–1968
Longest-tenured pastor in the parish's modern history; served the combined Byron and North Dorr parishes.
- Rev. Thomas J. Hack1968–1971
- Msgr. Thomas O. Martin1971–1975
- Msgr. Herman H. Zerfas1975–1979
- Rev. M. James Hoogterp1979–1982
- Rev. Edward J. Bielskas1982–1994
- Msgr. Gaspar F. Ancona1994–2007
- Rev. Msgr. William H. Duncan, JCL2007–Present
Current pastor. The new Main Church was built during his pastorate, winning the 2007 Award for Excellence from the Associated Builders and Contractors of West Michigan for Religious Facility Construction.