St. Mark the Evangelist Parish at 7296 Gale Road, Grand Blanc, MI 48439 US - History of Parish
History of Parish
In 1978, in the southeastern corner of Genesee County, the first Mass was celebrated in a new “Mission Church.” The efforts of a group of families who petitioned Bishop Kenneth Povish to consider a Catholic Church for the Goodrich area had paid off. It was evident at the first Mass that the town hall (the present Goodrich Library) was not large enough to accommodate the number of interested faithful, so a larger facility was quickly sought. The Goodrich High School cafeteria became the Mission’s new home. Religious Education programs began that Fall, with high school classrooms serving as religious education classrooms.
In 1979, land was purchased for the building site and a fund drive began. The groundbreaking ceremony took place in 1981, with 150 registered families by this time. The Parish Pastoral Council, an Altar Society, and the Men’s Club were formed. The first Mass was celebrated in the newly constructed Church in January 1982. In 1989, Bishop Povish recommended that a Pastoral Coordinator be appointed. On June 28, 1989, Sr. Joan M. May, SSJ, a Sister of St. Joseph of Nazareth, Michigan, became the first Pastoral Coordinator at St. Mark. In December 1989, the home west of the Church on Burpee Road was purchased as a pastoral residence. Seeing the need for more space, one with classrooms, offices, and a hall, plans began for expansion. Bishop Povish dedicated the Parish Center on March 20, 1994.
Sr. Joan M. May served as the St. Mark Pastoral Coordinator from June 28, 1989 until her death in January, 2009.
Fr. Michael W. Kuchar was appointed Pastor of St. Mark by Bishop Earl A. Boyea. He began his pastorate on July 1, 2009 and was installed as the first Pastor on September 20, 2009.
St. Mark the Evangelist Parish strives to grow in faith, hope and love, demonstrated through responsible stewardship.