When the Native Americans ceded the land to the settlers, lumber mills were erected and laborers were needed. Unrest in Europe brought German people, the famine in Ireland brought the Irish, and French Canadians migrated to Michigan. By 1853 there were 400 inhabitants in Muskegon; by 1857 the number had grown to 2,000. By 1888, 47 lumber mills were in operation, and Muskegon was a prosperous community.

          The Catholic people were served by missionary priest from Grand Rapids, but the growth of the population prompted Father Edward VanPaemel to instigate the building of a new church. With five-dollar donations and lumber from a mill owner whose wife was Catholic, a 20- by 30- foot building, without windows, was erected. Planks laid across shingle blocks served as pews. With various additions, this building served the community for 40 years. On June 2, 1889, the foundation for the "new" church, at the present location, was completed. On July 27, 1893, the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary was raised into it's niche in front of the church.

          From these humble beginnings grew the daughter parishes of St. Joseph, St. Jean Baptise, Our Lady of Grace, and Prince of Peace.

          In 1893 St. Mary's had 300 families registered. In 1999 there were 357 families under the pastorate of Father Ernest J. Bernott. In the 167 years since Father Baraga baptized 21 people at Muskegon, the numbers have varied.Times and fortunes have changed, but St. Mary's Faces the year 2000 strong in faith and ready to celebrate the great jubilee.

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