About St. William · Walled Lake, Michigan
St. William Catholic Parish & School is a vibrant Roman Catholic community located at 531 Common Street in the heart of Walled Lake, Michigan. Founded in 1940 to serve the outlying area of what were then Detroit's start-up suburbs, St. William now comprises roughly 1,900 registered families spread across approximately 45 square miles of northwest Wayne County — including all of Walled Lake and Wixom and parts of West Bloomfield, Commerce, and Novi. The parish mission, set out by Pastor Rev. Michael G. Savickas, is simply "To live the Good News so joyfully, that we can't help but proclaim it." St. William offers a full K-8 Catholic elementary school (accredited by the Michigan Non-Public School Accrediting Association), a faith formation program for children and adults, OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults), a Knights of Columbus council, a Society of St. Vincent de Paul conference, and a robust music ministry.
- Established
- 1940
- Patron
- St. William
- Rector
- Rev. Michael G. Savickas
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Detroit (Family of Parishes: Emmanuel Family; Vicariate: Northwest Wayne Vicariate; Region: South Region)
Why belong here
St. William draws nearly 1,900 families across Walled Lake, Wixom, and parts of West Bloomfield, Commerce, and Novi into a single, welcoming Catholic community centered on the Eucharist and the parish school. Members grow through OCIA, adult and children's faith formation, Bible studies and small faith groups (IGNITE), a vibrant music ministry (adult choir, children's choir, cantors, and a forming contemporary praise team), and active fellowship organizations such as the Knights of Columbus and the Dad's Club. Outreach to neighbors in need is led locally by the parish's Society of St. Vincent de Paul conference, making St. William a place where joyful worship and practical charity go hand in hand.
Mass times at St. William
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Confessions are announced weekly (see weekly bulletin for the current schedule).
Adoration times
- First Friday Adoration at St. William Catholic School.
About Our Parish
St. William Parish was founded in 1940 to serve the outlying area of what were then Detroit's start-up suburbs, and the parish continues to celebrate more than 80 years of Catholic life in northwest Wayne County. Its boundaries incorporate approximately 45 square miles, including all of Walled Lake and Wixom and parts of West Bloomfield, Commerce, and Novi, and the parish is comprised of about 1,900 registered families. The parish is located in the heart of Walled Lake near Pontiac Trail and Maple (15 Mile). Pastor Fr. Michael Savickas summarizes the parish's calling this way: "To live the Good News so joyfully, that we can't help but proclaim it."
- Founded 1940
- Pastor: Rev. Michael G. Savickas
- Mass: Saturday 4:30pm; Sunday 10:00am (Livestreamed) and 12:30pm; Tue/Wed/Thu 8:00am
- Approximately 1,900 registered families
Our Story — 75th Anniversary
On June 28, 2015, parishioners, Fr. Michael Savickas, and Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron celebrated 75 years of baptisms, first Communions, and weddings at St. William. Archbishop Vigneron presided at the 11:30 a.m. Mass and called St. William "like a MASH unit, a mobile hospital where Jesus sheds his mercy upon us and prepares us for a life with God." Afterward, the Knights of Columbus served breakfast in the parish community room, and the Dad's Club and Parent-Student Association hosted an afternoon picnic for some 700 attendees. The parish used its anniversary year to raise more than $28,000 for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.
- Archbishop Vigneron's 2015 homily: 'St. William has been that outpost for the mercy of God.'
- Knights breakfast ~200 guests; picnic ~700 guests
- 75th-anniversary charity: Society of St. Vincent de Paul (>$28,000 raised)
St. William Catholic School
St. William Catholic School opened in September 1950 and has been an anchor in the Walled Lake community ever since, offering full-time Catholic education for students in Kindergarten through eighth grade. The school is fully accredited by the Michigan Non-Public School Accrediting Association and provides a strong academic program with small class sizes. Its mission: "We exist to provide a school environment in which Christ is encountered and Discipleship is fostered through the teaching and practice of Catholic Traditions, values, and doctrine, while challenging each student to academic excellence."
- Opened September 1950
- Grades K–8; full-time Catholic education
- Accredited by the Michigan Non-Public School Accrediting Association
- S.O.U.L. (Support Our Unique Learners) Center
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd for JK–1st
- Weekly Mass; First Friday Adoration; Retreat experiences
- STEM-school development with Notre Dame University
- Crusader Club aftercare program
- All faiths welcome; tuition assistance available
Faith Formation
St. William Parish offers Catholic formation and spiritual development for all ages, recognizing that parents are the primary educators of the faith. Programs include Religious Education and Sacramental Preparation for children ages 4 through 8th grade, youth ministry, adult faith formation, and OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults). A flexible pledge-based tuition ensures no child is denied faith formation due to financial need. The Faith Formation Office is located at 135 O'Flaherty Street and can be reached at (248) 624-1371.
- Children's Faith Formation (ages 4–8th grade)
- Sacramental Preparation (First Communion, Confirmation)
- OCIA — Order of Christian Initiation of Adults
- Youth Ministry
- Young Adult Ministry
- Adult Faith Formation
- IGNITE St. William — Bible studies & small faith groups
- Growing with Christ in Chaos — young families ministry
Music Ministry
Director of Music Ministry Bill Richart leads several ensembles that lift up voices in praise at St. William's liturgies. Quoting the Catechism, the parish describes the Church's musical tradition as "a treasure of inestimable value." Musicians and singers of all ages are invited to share their gifts.
- Adult Choir — 4-part harmony; sings at Sunday 10am Mass and major feasts; rehearses Thursdays 6–8pm
- Children's Choir — middle-school singers from St. William Catholic School; rehearses Tuesdays 2:05pm
- Cantors — lead responsorial psalm and Alleluia
- Contemporary Praise Team — forming for select Masses and events
- Mass-specific music groups for Saturday 4:30pm and Sunday 12:30pm
Sacraments
Information on celebrating the sacraments at St. William is published in the parish bulletin. Couples should call at least six months in advance for marriage; families contact the parish office for baptism, funeral, and anointing arrangements; the OCIA process guides adults into full communion with the Catholic Church.
- Baptism — preparation process through parish office
- Marriage — contact priest or deacon at least six months in advance
- Funeral — arrangements through parish office
- Anointing / Ministry to the Sick — call (248) 624-1421
- First Communion & Confirmation — children's sacramental preparation
Parish Organizations & Outreach
A wide range of lay-led organizations serve the parish and the wider community. The Knights of Columbus Council #144 supports many parish events and runs the annual Ushers Memorial Scholarship raffle for high-school seniors. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul conference ministers to the poor and suffering in the local area. The Dad's Club and Parent-Student Association (PSA) support St. William Catholic School through fellowship and fundraising.
- Knights of Columbus Council #144 (incl. Ushers Memorial Scholarship)
- Society of St. Vincent de Paul
- Dad's Club
- Parent-Student Association (PSA)
- Pastoral Advisory Team
- Men's Faith Group
- CYO Sports / Athletics
- Parent Ambassadors
- Small faith affinity / 'Discover Your Gifts'
Becoming Catholic (OCIA)
Adults interested in becoming Catholic or learning more about the Catholic faith are invited into the parish's OCIA process — the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults — led by Deacon Mike Chesley. Sessions typically begin in the fall (and again in the spring) and meet in the St. Paul Room of the activity center corridor. OCIA is for the baptized Christian seeking full communion, the unbaptized seeking initiation, and anyone who simply wants to know more about the Catholic faith.
- Led by Deacon Mike Chesley, [email protected]
- Sessions begin in fall and spring
- Open to baptized Christians, the unbaptized, and those exploring the faith
Staff & Leadership
The parish is pastored by Rev. Michael G. Savickas and served by a team of deacons, a business manager, pastoral staff, and school leadership. The Faith Formation Office and St. William Catholic School share the campus at 135 O'Flaherty Street, adjacent to the rectory at 531 Common Street. Contact and office-hour information is published on the parish's Contact page.
- Pastor: Rev. Michael G. Savickas (Ext. 346)
- Deacon Mike Chesley — Pastoral Associate (Ext. 345)
- Deacon John Liddle (Ext. 345)
- Deacon Bob Dreyer — Emeritus
- Business Manager: Mrs. Deborah Diviny (Ext. 349)
- Pastoral Assistant: Mrs. Karen Sommers (Ext. 344)
- Director of Music Ministry: Mr. Bill Richart (Ext. 310)
- Adult Faith Formation: Mrs. Lisa Powaser (Ext. 307)
- Children's RE Coordinator: Mrs. Elizabeth Smith (Ext. 308)
- School Principal: Mrs. Betsy Gabrish (Ext. 303)
- Office Hours: Mon–Thu 9:00am–5:00pm; Fri 9:00am–12:00pm
Visit, Register & Connect
Newcomers and visitors are warmly welcomed. Those who wish to register as parishioners, become Catholic, or learn more about ministries can do so through the parish website at stwilliam.com. Sunday Mass and parish events are also publicized through the parish Facebook page.
- Address: 531 Common Street, Walled Lake, MI 48390
- Phone: (248) 624-1421
- Rectory Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.stwilliam.com
- Parish Facebook: live stream and news
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Michael G. Savickas
Current pastor as of 2015 anniversary celebration and the 2025 parish bulletin; led parish mission 'To live the Good News so joyfully, that we can't help but proclaim it.'