St. Joseph's & St. Mary's Churches at 409 S. Bridge St., Belding, MI 48809 US - Our Parishes History
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St. Mary Catholic Church is a small country church located at 9041 W. Krupp Road in Otisco Township of Ionia County. The Present location was given to Bishop LeFevere of the Detroit Diocese in 1860. The Present church building was erected in 1871 under the direction of Father Charles A. Bolte who was pastor of SS. Peter & Paul Church, Ionia. In 1938 the Diocese was divided and St. Mary became part of the Diocese of Lansing for five months, then transferred to the Diocese of Grand Rapids.
St. Joseph Catholic Church was established in 1891 in the village of Belding, Ionia County as a mission of St. Mary, Miriam. The original church was built in 1894 on the corner of Bridge St. and M-44. In 1913 St. Joseph was given full parish status and Father John Zindler was named pastor. In 1923 the current church (409 S. Bridge St.) was dedicated under Father Joseph A. Maier.