The beginning of our parish can be traced back to the year 1889 when Rev. John A. Schmitt took it upon himself to provide for the needs of the Italian speaking residents of the city of Grand Rapids.   Rev. Schmitt was the forerunner in establishing our parish from 1891 to 1908, at which time he felt it necessary that an Italian-speaking clergyman be brought to the city. Through the cooperation of Bishop Henry J. Richter, he sponsored a young, energetic priest, Rev. Salvatore Ciance, who had just finished his theological studies and received Doctorate in Laws in Italy.

Rev. Cianci Father Cianci arrived in Grand Rapids August 26, 1908 and was warmly received by Father Schmitt and Bishop Richter.  He celebrated his first Mass in Grand Rapids on September 20, 1908 in the basement chapel of St. Andrew's Chapel.  In his first sermon he spoke about the sorrows of the Blessed Mother. In fulfillment of a solemn promise he had made earlier as a seminarian, the new parish was named "Santa Maria Addolorata" - Our Lady of Sorrows.

A few "firsts" for the new parish:

The first baptism was of Anna Pellerito, August 30, 1908.

The first marriage was Antonio Gubbio and Anna Marsiglia, July 26, 1909.

The first funeral was for Antonio DelBusso, February 10, 1909

By 1913, the church had grown to 180 families, and Father Cianci began planning for a new church building, as the people were still using the basement chapel at St. Andrew's for their services. Various fund-raising projects were promoted to help raise money for a new church, and in December, 1912, a $1,000 down payment was made for the purchase of one acre of land at the corner of Sheldon and Hall streets. 

First Church

Excavation was begun on October 8, 1920, and on Easter Sunday, March 27, 1921, the new church was blessed and dedicated to Our Lady Of Sorrows with Father Cianci acting as celebrant of the first Mass. The Rectory at 1152 Sheldon was restored and redecorated, and Father moved in on June 2, 1921.

Shrine For the first time in the history of Grand Rapids, a Catholic Procession was held on May 28, 1922. The Baldachino, a work of art by Giuseppi DiLeonardo, was taken through the streets of the city, and the Feast of the Holy Crucifix was established. From that time until the mid-sixties, it was an annual event and celebration held on the church grounds.

Sr. Valeria O.P. Under the direction of Sr. Valeria O.P., the first Our Lady of Sorrows School opened its doors on September 25, 1922, with 58 students in attendance. The first 8th grade class graduated in June of 1930, and consisted of: Rosa Popa, Lucia Azzarelli, Mary Azzarelli, Provedenzia Borrello, Rosa Longo, Domenica Spicuzza, Mariano Spicuzza, and Maria Dolci.