October 7, 2025 // Bishop

Blessed Sacrament Parish Marks 150 Years of Faith in Albion

Andrea Krumanaker

Blessed Sacrament Parish celebrated a milestone on Saturday, September 27, marking 150 years of faith, service, and community in Albion with a special Mass and festivities to honor its long history and looked toward its future.

The anniversary Mass, celebrated by Bishop Rhoades, drew parishioners of all ages, gathering to reflect on generations of faithfulness and the perseverance of the parish community.

“It’s amazing that this parish survived during those early years with such a small number of parishioners and even survived after the first church was sold and the faithful were left without a house of worship,” Bishop Rhoades said during his homily. “Yet, they persevered in faith. And the parish eventually grew after those earlier decades of so few Catholic families.”

Founded in the late 19th century, Blessed Sacrament Parish owes its endurance to generations of devoted families who maintained a spiritual presence in Albion despite challenges. The parish’s dual dedications, to the Sacred Heart and the Blessed Sacrament, reflect its central focus on the Eucharist, which Bishop Rhoades called “the heart of parish life and the source of our mission.”

“The Catechism teaches us that ‘the Eucharist commits us to the poor,’” he added, emphasizing the parish’s responsibility to live out its faith through acts of charity and service. “As we celebrate your 150th anniversary, let us renew our commitment to love God and our neighbor, to witness our faith in all that we do.”

Father John Steele, pastor at Blessed Sacrament, echoed the bishop’s reflections, highlighting the generations of families whose devotion has sustained the community. “We stand on the shoulders of giants,” he said. “The faith of those who came before us allows us to live, celebrate, and pass on that faith to the next generation. Our hope is that Blessed Sacrament continues to grow, to serve, and to be a home for the love of Christ in Albion.”

Parishioners shared personal reflections on what the milestone means to them. Nyla Stangland, a descendant of the parish’s original families, said it was “really a very cool thing to think about,” noting that her family has been part of the community since its early days. “For descendants from the original 12 families, it’s really cool that they kept it going, and my family has been here this whole time,” Stangland said.

Stangland also reflected on the lessons that the founding families offer for today. “I think perseverance,” she said. “You know what they went through. Churches being closed, having to take a school bus, and just, you know, the times are ever changing. Their experience in the faith and knowing the truth really matters.”

Susie Gallmayer recounted the history of her family’s connection to the parish. “My mom’s family came here in 1939. My mom was five, and they held Mass above the post office in Albion until the new church was built two years later. She was in the first First Communion class in the new church. My mom had seven children, and we all grew up here. My grandma was kind of sad at first because she came from a big parish in Chicago. Just worshipping above the post office with a card table as an altar was hard, but they persevered. My mom worked hard, and we all grew up in this faith,” she said.

Following the Mass, parishioners gathered for a celebratory dinner and fellowship in the parish hall, where music and storytelling recounted the parish’s rich history. The program highlighted founding families, the perseverance of early parishioners through financial and logistical challenges, and cherished traditions that have endured through decades.

Among the stories shared were the origins of the parish’s coffee and donuts gatherings, the tireless service of Sister Jo-Ann, and the move to a new campus, culminating in the dedication of a modern church building in 2018. The musical retelling of these milestones brought to life the spirit and dedication that have defined Blessed Sacrament for a century and a half.

The 150th anniversary celebration was also a moment to look forward, with parish leaders emphasizing ongoing efforts to engage youth, expand outreach programs, and deepen spiritual life within the community. Activities such as religious education, social service projects, and community events reflect the parish’s continuing mission to serve and witness Christ’s love in Albion.

Bishop Rhoades praised the parish for its enduring commitment to faith and service. “Every generation contributes to the life of the parish,” he said. “The work of the early faithful allowed this parish to flourish. Today, we are called to nurture that faith, to serve our neighbors, and to participate in the Lord’s project here in Albion.”

The anniversary celebration closed with a sense of gratitude and renewal, as parishioners reflected on the enduring legacy of Blessed Sacrament Parish. The shared memories, stories of perseverance, and vision for future growth underscored the continuity of faith that has defined the community for 150 years.

“The shoulders we stand on are strong because they belong to those who gave everything for this parish,” Father Steele said in his final remarks. “Our task now is to carry that legacy forward, to love one another, and to continue the mission entrusted to us. This is not just a celebration of the past. It is a recommitment to the Lord’s work in the present and for generations to come.”

From its modest beginnings in homes and temporary worship spaces to the modern facilities of today, Blessed Sacrament Parish stands as a testament to perseverance, faith, and the power of a committed community. Its 150-year history is more than a chronicle of events. It is a living story of dedication, service, and love, carried forward by every generation that calls the parish home.

“Faith is a gift, but it is also a responsibility,” Bishop Rhoades said. “And Blessed Sacrament Parish demonstrates beautifully how a community can honor its past, embrace the present, and look confidently to the future. This parish is the Lord’s project, and we are privileged to be part of it.”