St. Michael’s Church was founded in 1879 by an unknown priest—at least he said he was a priest.
This mystery man dressed in the attire of a Catholic clergyman, approached Mr. Lilbourne P. Kuhn, who owned property on what is now Hardy Road and St. Michael’s Road, and requested that Mr. Kuhn let him use his residence to say Mass. He informed Mr. Kuhn, who was not a Catholic, that Pope Leo had recently proclaimed that “Wherever there were Catholics with no church to worship in, Mass should be celebrated once a month during Lent.” This was not true, but Mr. Kuhn not knowing differently, agreed to the use of his home. The young priest ate dinner with the Kuhn family and left the next morning. He was never heard from again.
Mr. Kuhn then donated the ground for both the church and cemetery which are still here today. On June 12, 1880, the cornerstone was laid for St. Michael’s Church (the building now known as the “Small Church”). On October 18, 1880 the first Mass was celebrated by Rev. Edward I. Devitt, who three years later became St. Michael’s first regular pastor.
St. Michael’s became a mission church of St. Joseph’s in Sykesville.
The Silver Jubilee was marked with a Mass celebrated by Msgr. Robert J. Achsetter; Fr. Devitt the first pastor, delivered the homily.
The Golden Jubilee was observed by Rev. William Neligan, pastor from 1930–1936.
Rev. Joseph D. Amond had electric lights installed in the church.
St. Michael’s celebrated its 75th anniversary and was honored by the presence of His Excellency Francis P. Keough, Archbishop of Baltimore.
After 82 years of being a mission church, His Eminence Lawrence Cardinal Sheehan, then Archbishop of Baltimore, established St. Michael’s as a separate parish.
The rectory was built—free and clear of debt. Shortly after, the land where our new church is located was purchased from a Mr. Triplet.
A multipurpose building was erected on the new land.
St. Michael’s celebrated 100 years as a parish.
Ground-breaking ceremonies for the new church was celebrated by Bishop P. Francis Murphy.
Fr. Michael Ruane came to St. Michael’s to serve as the parish’s 30th pastor.
After 34 years of serving St. Michael, Fr. Michael Ruane retired, Fr. Paul Sparklin was welcomed as the parish’s 31st pastor.
Among the artworks in the new church are the sanctuary crucifix, especially commissioned for St. Michael’s statues of the Holy Family and St. Michael, and stations of the Cross. The bell from the original small church has been electrified and installed in the bell tower of the new church.
