A Franciscan Parish in the Archdiocese of Detroit

Our History as a Parish

Our History as a Parish

Transfiguration Parish came into existence on June 30, 2007, when four parish communities, who had seen their parishes through a combined 214 years, merged.  The four Southfield Catholic parishes--St. Beatrice, St. Bede, St. Ives, and St. Michael---celebrated their closing Masses on Sunday, June 24, 2007.  The next Sunday, Episcopal Vicar Msgr. John Zenz stood in front of the former St. Michael Church and ceremoniously knocked on the door. When the doors opened, it marked Day One for the Church of the Transfiguration.

During the ceremony holy water and blessed oils were brought from each of the former parishes and merged into one. Franciscan Fr. Robert Weakley was installed as pastor and the new parish council was introduced.

Items from the merged churches found appropriate homes. In 2008 a Prayer Garden was dedicated. It is the home of the statues of the patron saints of the four founding parishes.

Today Transfiguration is a vibrant worshiping community of Catholics from many backgrounds. It hosts many ministries and extensive outreaches to the poor.

This is our mission statement: “We are a Franciscan Body of Christ embracing all people through liturgy and service.”