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Saint Mary Cathedral Church

219 Seymour Street
517-484-5331

History:      
Lansing was platted out as a city of Michigan in 1847. Mass was celebrated for the first time in the log home of Thomas and Eleanora Saier. The Saiers later donated land on Chestnut Street for a church to be built. It was begun in 1856 and dedicated in 1864.

In July, 1857, the Catholics in Lansing were placed under the care of the parish of the Annunciation at Corunna. In 1866, Fr. Louis Van Driss became the first resident priest in Lansing. In 1872, a school was opened. In 1874, three Sisters of Charity came to staff the school. Fr. Lafayette Isadore Brancheau came in 1897. A new temporary church and hall were built in 1904 on Walnut Street. The present cathedral was begun in 1911 and dedicated to Mary under the title of "Immaculate Conception" on December 8, 1913. In 1939, St Mary Church became the Cathedral for the Diocese of Lansing.

A new parish center was built under the pastorate of Msgr. James A. Murray. It was dedicated by Bishop Kenneth J. Povish in July, 1995. On January 27, 1998, Msgr. James A. Murray was ordained Bishop for the Diocese of Kalamazoo and Msgr. Michael D. Murphy became rector of the Cathedral Parish.