St. Edith Parish, Livonia, Michigan

St. Edith Parish was founded in 1962 under the leadership of its pastor, Fr. William Yakes. The first Mass was held in Ladywood High School on June 25 and six months later, on December 24, Cardinal Dearden officiated at the dedication of the brand new St. Edith Church. St. Edith School, with children enrolled in grades one through six, opened its doors in 1965. The rectory was built during Fr. Yakes' pastorate as well.

In 1967 Fr. John Van Antwerp succeeded Fr. Yakes as pastor. St. Edith's first Parish Council was formed in 1970. The four commissions;: Administration, Christian Service, Education and Worship were soon all in place, and remain active to this very day.

Fr. John Castelot, the esteemed scripture scholar from St. John Seminary, began serving as our weekend associate in 1972. He presided regularly over many liturgies at St. Edith until his death in May of 1999. In the mid-to-late 1970's, Fr. Van Antwerp realized we had outgrown our worship area and put an expansion program into operation, which resulted in the "second " St. Edith Church, completed in 1979. In the late 1970's, seeing the need for senior citizen accommodation, Fr. Van Antwerp initiated plans with the archdiocese for a senior citizen residence. With the support of other vicariate parishes, Villa Marie was erected in 1978 on property behind the church, donated by St. Edith.

1980 saw the arrival of a new pastor, Fr. Jim Scheick. The school meanwhile was growing by leaps and bounds; in 1981 a seventh grade was added. And eight grade was in place the following year. 1982 also saw us "bursting at the seams!" With continuing growth demanding more meeting space, an new meeting and conference center (the "blue building" or parish annex) was built, primarily for youth ministry and adult education. To exemplify our commitment to justice and peace, we erected designated "peace site, " a picturesque gazebo which was dedicated in 1986 by Bishop Gumbleton. In 1983 we opened a much-welcomed kindergarten to make our school complete. A highlight of 1988 was the festivity with which St. Edith Parish joyfully celebrated Fr. Jim's twenty-fifth anniversary of ordained priesthood. With a parish now numbering over 1600 families, it became clear that another, larger church with adequate space for worship was needed. After fund-raising campaigns brought the pledges necessary to start construction, ground was broken in June 1989 for beautiful new St. Edith church.

In 1998, St. Edith, with over 2200 families, celebrated the dedication and opening of it's impressive new, Parish Administrative Building and School Multi-Purpose Building with it's new offices and Youth Room.

July 1st, 2000, Fr. Timothy Murray became our new pastor and Dorothy Morse joined us as pastoral associate. Fr. Paul K. Ballien was appointed Administrator effective September 7, 2004. As of July 1, 2005, Fr. Mike Kazer was appointed pastor of St. Edith. Fr. Kazer died suddenly September 7, 2010. Fr. Lawrence Kaiser was appointed temporary administrator. Fr. James McNulty was appointed Pastor in November, 2010.

This website is dedicated to you, the people of St. Edith, for the caring you have shown for over 40 years and for your spirit of parish ministry, which guided you to share your gifts with our community of faith.