About St. Simon · Ludington, Michigan
St. Simon Parish is a Roman Catholic parish of the Diocese of Grand Rapids, serving the Ludington area on Michigan's lakeshore since 1876. Located at 702 E. Bryant Road in Ludington, the parish offers daily and weekend Mass, a perpetual adoration chapel open 24 hours a day, and a full faith-formation program from kindergarten through high school. The parish also operates Ludington Area Catholic (LAC) School and St. Simon's Bargain Center, a thrift-store outreach that supports local charities. After 20 years as pastor, Fr. Wayne B. Wheeler, Jr. retired in June 2026; Fr. Jacob M. Zemaitis was appointed as the new pastor effective July 1, 2026.
- Established
- 1876
- Patron
- St. Simon (the Apostle)
- Rector
- Rev. Jacob M. Zemaitis (effective July 1, 2026)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Grand Rapids (Mason County, Northwest Deanery)
Why belong here
St. Simon offers the full rhythm of Catholic life in Mason County: a daily 8:30 a.m. Mass Monday through Thursday, a Friday Communion service, two Sunday Masses, Saturday confessions, and a perpetual adoration chapel where the Blessed Sacrament is adored around the clock. Families with children can enroll them in K–6 religious education, middle-school and high-school youth ministry, and the parish shares Ludington Area Catholic (LAC) School. The parish also reaches beyond its walls through St. Simon's Bargain Center thrift ministry and long-standing support for HELP Ministry and Hospitality Inc., making it a clear choice for Catholics in the Ludington area who want both traditional liturgical life and active outreach.
Mass times at St. Simon
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday: 9:15 a.m. (following the 8:30 a.m. Mass)
- Saturday: 4:00 p.m.
Adoration times
- Perpetual adoration chapel — open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
History of St. Simon Parish
Established in 1876, St. Simon is the oldest parish in the Diocese of Grand Rapids' Northwest Deanery. Its original rectory was built in 1912 by M.B. Danaher, and the current church, parish hall and school complex on East Bryant Road was constructed in 1970. In 2011, Bishop Walter A. Hurley formally merged St. Simon with the closing parishes of St. Stanislaus and Sacred Heart, with the combined community retaining the St. Simon name.
- Founded 1876 — Mason County, Northwest Deanery
- 1912 — original M.B. Danaher rectory built
- 1970 — present church/parish hall/school complex built on E. Bryant Rd.
- July 1, 2011 — merger with St. Stanislaus and Sacred Heart parishes
Sacraments
In addition to the daily Mass schedule, confessions, and perpetual adoration, the parish prepares parishioners for the other sacraments of the Church, including Baptism, Marriage, First Communion and Confirmation through its faith-formation programs. Inquiries about becoming Catholic are welcomed through the parish's RCIA pathway.
- Baptism, Marriage, and Funeral arrangements — contact parish office
- RCIA / 'Interested in Becoming Catholic?' program
Clergy, Staff & Pastoral Leadership
Fr. Jacob M. Zemaitis became pastor of St. Simon on July 1, 2026, succeeding Fr. Wayne B. Wheeler, Jr., who retired with senior priest status after 47 years of priestly ministry and 20 years as pastor of St. Simon. Deacon Leonard Luscomb assists in ministry. The lay staff includes a business manager, parish secretary, director of faith formation and complex maintenance.
- Rev. Jacob M. Zemaitis — Pastor (effective July 1, 2026)
- Rev. Wayne B. Wheeler, Jr. — Pastor (2006–June 30, 2026; now senior priest)
- Deacon Leonard Luscomb
- Jan Bigalke — Business Manager
- Kara Kriesel — Parish Secretary
- Mandy Fort — Director of Faith Formation
- Cathy Claus — Faith Formation Office Assistant
- Joe Anzalone — Complex Maintenance
Faith Formation & Religious Education
St. Simon's faith-formation program walks with parishioners from kindergarten through adulthood. The K–6 program includes weekly religious-education classes and an annual Vacation Bible School (June 22–24, 2026 in the current year). Middle-school and high-school youth ministries meet regularly, and high-schoolers are invited to a 4-day summer service camp at St. Anne's in Baldwin, MI, serving local food pantries, a baby pantry, and a senior center while centering each day on Mass, adoration, and the Liturgy of the Hours. A young-adult ministry and ongoing adult formation round out the offerings.
- K–6 Religious Education
- Vacation Bible School (June 22–24, 2026)
- Middle School Youth Ministry
- High School Youth Ministry & Summer Service Camp
- Young Adult Ministry
- Adult Formation
Schools: Ludington Area Catholic (LAC) School
St. Simon shares Ludington Area Catholic (LAC) School with other area parishes. The parish staff page lists an LAC School Principal and LAC School Secretary working alongside the parish team at 702 E. Bryant Road.
- LAC School Principal (on-site)
- LAC School Secretary (on-site)
- Website linked from the parish: http://lacschool.com/
Outreach & Charity
Outreach is a defining feature of St. Simon. The parish operates St. Simon's Bargain Center, a thrift ministry located on South James Street and at E. 5732 US-10 in Ludington (231-845-6860), which sells donated clothing and goods at bargain prices and channels proceeds to local charities. The parish also actively supports HELP Ministry and Hospitality Inc., two area social-service agencies, embodying the call to feed the hungry and clothe the naked.
- St. Simon's Bargain Center — thrift store ministry
- HELP Ministry (parish-supported)
- Hospitality Inc. (parish-supported)
Media: 103.9 Ludington Catholic Voice
The parish's homepage features a link to '103.9 Ludington Catholic Voice,' a local Catholic radio outreach associated with the parish community.
Visiting St. Simon
St. Simon welcomes visitors at 702 E. Bryant Road, Ludington, MI 49431. The church is fully handicapped accessible, and the perpetual adoration chapel is open around the clock for prayer. From US-10 (Ludington Ave.), turn north on Jebavy Drive for 1 mile, then west on Bryant Road for 1/2 mile; the church is on the left.
- Address: 702 E. Bryant Road, Ludington, MI 49431
- Phone: 231-843-8606
- Handicap accessible
- Perpetual adoration chapel open 24/7
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Wayne B. Wheeler, Jr.Associate pastor 1981–1984; Pastor 2006–June 30, 2026
Ordained for the Diocese of Grand Rapids on Nov. 3, 1979. After 10 years in ministry he studied at the Catholic University of Leuven in Belgium. He led the 2011 merger of St. Simon with St. Stanislaus and Sacred Heart parishes. Retired with senior priest status on June 30, 2026, after 47 years of priestly ministry and 20 years as pastor.
- Rev. Jacob M. ZemaitisEffective July 1, 2026
Previously canonical administrator of St. Mary–St. Jerome Parish, Custer, and St. John Cantius Parish, Free Soil. Appointed pastor of St. Simon and St. Mary–St. Jerome effective July 1, 2026 by Bishop David J. Walkowiak.