About

The early years of Saint Martha Parish are described in Monsignor George C. Michalek’s Living in Joyful Hope: A History of the Diocese of Lansing. He writes:

"On Pentecost Sunday 1988, Bishop Kenneth J. Povish canonically established the new parish in Okemos. Rev. Jonathan W. Wehrle was appointed the founding pastor on June twenty-ninth. Fr. Wehrle celebrated the first Mass for the new community on July third in the Okemos High School Auditorium. The auditorium remained the site of Sunday liturgies until the church was constructed.

Bishop Povish requested that the parish be named after a New Testament Saint who was not the patron of an existing parish. A list of names was submitted to the Bishop for his approval before a final vote was taken.

An act of redemption occurred when the Diocese purchased the eighteen-acre site of the former x-rated Crest Drive-In Theater. After some controversy with Meridian Township officials, the go ahead was given to build. The former concession stand was converted into a daily mass chapel and dedicated by Bishop Povish on March 1, 1989.

As the parish grew, so did the staff. The first pastoral assistant was Jim Thomas who joined the staff in March 1989. Barbara McNicol joined the staff that June. She served the parish until 1997, first as Director of Religious Education and then as Pastoral Minister. Thomas Quasarano was assigned to the parish as a Permanent Deacon in September 1998.

Ground was broken in April 1990 for the church and a nine-room, two-story religious education wing. Palm Sunday, 1991 was when the $2.8 million structure was prepared for the first liturgy. The Altar, statues and some of the pews came from St. Vincent Home in Lansing. The chandeliers and some of the stained glass windows came from St. Lawrence Hospital chapel. The three bronze bells came from St. Francis Seminary in Loretta, PA. The first parish mission was preached by Redemptorists that December.

An Ardent Catholic School advocate, Fr. Wehrle set out to open a parish school. In January 1993 a preschool was opened. On August nineteenth that year, a school opened with kindergarten through fourth grade. The school year was 200 days rather than the normal 180 required by the state. For the first several years the school was staffed primarily by Sisters of Charity from Cincinnati, Ohio."

In later years, the parish school was served by outstanding lay principals. Following Sister Marie Pauline, S.C., were Helen Hillman, Francie Herring, Elizabeth Snow, Helen Hillman (again), Monica Dowell, and our current principal, Andrea Patton. Father Wehrle continued to lead the parish, assisted over the years by Father Phil Schweda, Deacon Vince Guarnaccia, and Deacon Carl Boehlert. Many long-time staff members included Donna Werner, Sister Pat Newhouse, Sister Anita Parks, Nora McMullen, and Chris Korpela who served as the friendly face of Saint Martha.

In 2017, Father Wehrle retired and was replaced by Father Mike Murray. Father David Hudgins, Deacon Carl Boehlert, and Deacon John Finn provided needed assistance as the transition continued. In 2018, a new wing was completed for the school providing more classrooms, a gym, a library, a computer room, and a preschool room. The addition also provided a conference room and more storage for ministries.

In 2019, Father David was reassigned, and in June of 2020, Sister Anita Parks retired to the Motherhouse in Cincinnati. Both took the gratitude and love of all. To date, Sister Pat continues her work with the 50-Up Club, shut-ins, and visits to the school. Father John Whitlock, Diocesan Director of Vocation, was assigned to assist Father Mike beginning in the summer of 2021 but left to become Pastor of Most Holy Trinity in Fowler in June of 2023.  Deacon John Finn retired and moved away from the area in late 2022.

Tragically, Father David passed away in a car accident in January of 2022. His life and work was a blessing to our Diocese and Saint Martha, and he is both missed and prayed for daily.

Father Mike informed the parish of his pending retirement in early 2023, and it was announced that Father Ryan Riley would become the third Pastor of Saint Martha beginning in the summer of 2023. Don Morgan, our long-time Director of Operations, also announced his retirement effective in the summer of 2023. The work of both Father Mike and Don has been a blessing to our Parish, contributing greatly to our growth and strength as a community. We are immensely grateful for their years of faithful ministry.  Following his ordination in May of 2023, Deacon Jim Collom joined in assisting the Masses at Saint Martha.

Father Ryan officially became Pastor in July of 2023 and Father Mike returned to add Sacramental assistance in September of 2023.  In October 2023, Deacon Dave Drayton was assigned to St. Martha by Bishop Boyea.

Today, a vibrant lay staff including Gregg Alchin, Tony Andorfer, Claire Boomer, Hallie Card, Joey DiMenno, Cynthia Farnsworth, Claudia Fountain, Sam Matias, Andrea Patton, and Jackie Rosalez work side-by-side with Father Ryan, Deacon Carl, Deacon Jim, and Deacon Dave to continue serving the parishioners of our parish.