Ninety-four-year-old Marilyn Anderson moved to Grand Ledge in 1937 as a kindergartener. “We came from Greenville so Daddy could be a projectionist at the Sun Theatre here in Grand Ledge,” she recalls. Marilyn remembers first attending Mass in “a big house on the corner.” “We didn’t even go to a church yet, we went to a house. I actually made my first Communion in that house.” With memories of the setting of the church cornerstone in 1940, her confirmation in 1941, the Holy Cross sisters, and several pastors over the years, Marilyn says she is grateful for it all. “It was a good place to grow up, a good parish even way back then,” she says. “The first priest I remember was Father Horkan (pastor 1942-1947). He was the one who got me to sing in the choir, and I sang for 55 years after that.”

Marilyn’s cousin, 89-year-old Leo Rademacher settled in Grand Ledge in 1973. “My wife and I built a house on Wright Road so we could raise our four kids in the country.” For Leo, the parish has provided a faith community that has given him a place for worship and fellowship. “It’s a nice community,” he says of the parish. “I was an usher for 40 years. I was able to get to know so many people as they came in [to Mass].” Also a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus and an original part of the parish fish fry team, Leo says he wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. “It’s the people,” Leo says, “and I think over the years I’ve gotten to know almost all of them.” 

For newly assigned pastor Father Paul Erickson, previous longtime pastor Father Jim Eisele and longtime parishioners including Marilyn and Leo have helped him get to know the history and the people of St. Michael Parish. “Father Jim, who was here before me, is a good priest and a good man. He put St. Michael in a great position, and I am happy to be taking up the reins from a brother like him. It is kind of intimidating but also super exciting to know that there's a legacy of worship that I am inheriting, and I want to honor that legacy while still making progress.” 

Beginning his time at the parish with a 125-year celebration reinforces the long history, a reminder of so many faithful who have made up the community over the years. As St. Michael’s thirteenth pastor, Father Paul appreciates the long-established tradition and strong community. “Like Marilyn said,” Father Paul notes, “the atmosphere has a depth that comes with time and experience.”

And when he looks to the future, Father Paul says, seeking to follow God’s will while continuing to build community is key. “We want to pray hard and play hard,” Father. Paul explains. “I think we’re poised well to go out and evangelize. Grand Ledge seems like a growing area, and there are young families here.” Notably, he says, one of the many changes in the last 125 years is what evangelization might look like. “We are no longer in a time when people will just show up here. We have to invite them.” Yet given the strong history of the parish community, Father Paul does not see evangelization as daunting. “There’s a lot of opportunity to go out and invite people to experience Jesus for maybe the first time. At the very least in a new way by coming to St. Michael.” After 125 years, Father Paul says, one thing remains: “We are going on mission,” he says, “and it’s all very exciting.”