08/10/2026
Parish History of Holy Angels
The History of Holy Angels Parish in Sturgis, Michigan:
1864: Twelve people attended the first Mass celebrated by visiting priest, Father C. Ryckaert, in the home of William McLoughlin of Sturgis. Through their efforts, the congregation continued to grow and prosper. During those years, Mass was celebrated at various homes, but they had dreamed of a permanent structure.
1879: Fifteen years after the first Mass, the original church was built. It started with a donation of land and it followed by volunteers time, money, and materials to build. Through time various changes and additions were made.
1921: Holy Angels became an official parish.
1922: Fr. William Graeber became the first resident pastor.
1948: Holy Angels became the first church to found a parochial school in Sturgis, Michigan.
1955: Holy Angels had outgrown the small building that was originally built. A ground breaking ceremony was held for the new building and a year later the church was completed.
