Our Lady of Guadalupe Church at 2316 W Coldwater, Flint, MI 48505 US - History of Parish

Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish was first established on June 20, 1957, by the Most Rev. Joseph H. Albers, Bishop of Lansing, to serve the Spanish-speaking people of the Geneseee County region. The faith of all Spanish-speaking people, expressed through their language, culture and traditions, serves to enrich the great tapestry of American society in the United States.

 Fr. Carl Reikowsky

Fr. Carl B. Reikowsky was installed on June 26, 1957 as Administrator of the parish and served for a couple of years until Fr. Richard Simons was installed as Administrator on October 10, 1959.

 Fr. Richard Simon

Later, Fr. Eduardo Lorenzo became the parish’s third Administrator on December 6, 1966. Fr. Lorenzo began his seminary studies in Cuba for the Archdiocese of Havana.

 Fr. Eduardo Lorenzo

After being expelled from Cuba by Castro’s Communist government, Fr. Lorenzo completed his studies in the United States and was ordained to the priesthood in Lansing, MI on January 22, 1966. He was officially named the parish’s first pastor on March 19, 1978, after he was formally "released" from the Archdiocese of Havana, Cuba and fully received into the Diocese of Lansing by Bishop Kenneth J. Povish.

 Bishop Kenneth Povish

Fr. Eduardo faithfully served as pastor until his retirement on June 26, 2002. Fr. Tim Nelson was installed as pastor on July 14, 2002 by the Most Rev. Carl F. Mengeling.

 Bishop Carl Mengeling

 Fr. Tim Nelson

The first church for Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish was located at G-1054 West Carpenter Road and the first Mass was celebrated there on June 30, 1957. Because of its small size and the growing population of the parish family, it was decided that a new church should be built.

Groundbreaking for the new church, located at G-2316 West Coldwater Road, took place on April 23, 1972. Construction was completed and the first Mass was celebrated on April 14, 1973.

Present church

The new church was then dedicated by Bishop Alexander Zaleski on July 28, 1973. The total cost of the new church was $300, 000 and the last payment was made in June of 1984, attesting to the generosity and excellent stewardship of Fr. Eduardo Lorenzo and the people of the parish.

Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish is a vibrant Catholic community. We are looking to the future with faith, hope and charity.