What is St Michael’s-on-the-Heights

St. Michael's-on-the-Heights is a vibrant Episcopal parish that embraces families of all kinds, fostering a strong sense of community and connection. With a congregation of around 40 to 60 households, the church is a spiritual home for a diverse group of families.  Some of these families are brand new to St Michael’s and to the Episcopal tradition.  Others can trace their involvement back to its founding as a mission in 1927. The devastating 1953 tornado that destroyed St. Michael’s-on-the-Heights became a crucible of resilience, forging a spirit of compassion and solidarity that continues to shape our parish’s identity—most clearly seen in the way we now stand beside other communities facing disaster, just as others once stood beside us.

This deep-rooted history intertwines with a commitment to engaging younger generations through an active children's program, ensuring that faith and fellowship remain lively and accessible for all ages. At St. Michael’s-on-the-Heights, our children aren’t just the future of the church—they’re a cherished and active part of its present. Each month, we host a special service in which the reflection or sermon is thoughtfully crafted with them at the center, nurturing their spiritual curiosity and voice. Children serve in meaningful liturgical roles, from bringing forward the elements of communion and reading the Gospel, to becoming acolytes when ready. Throughout the year, they enrich our worship with musical presentations to the parish.  And on Holy Saturday, they journey through a child-centered Stations of the Cross designed just for them. We also invest in their joy and growth beyond Sunday, underwriting activities like movie outings, sports events, and engaging programs that foster lasting friendships and faith formation.

At St. Michael’s-on-the-Heights, music is a cornerstone of our worship and community life. Our cherished pipe organ, a generous gift from the now-closed St. John's Episcopal Church in Worcester, serves as both a symbol and a vessel of continuity and grace. Under the direction of Michael Celularo Jr., we are committed to offering music of the highest quality—music that uplifts, inspires, and deepens our connection to the sacred. Our deep and abiding love for the hymnal grounds us in tradition, even as we look forward with hope and enthusiasm to building and enriching our music program for generations to come.

A defining aspect of St. Michael’s is its dedication to service, particularly through Marie’s Mission, a diaper distribution ministry that reflects the parish’s commitment to meeting tangible needs in the community.  The mission came to be as a response to the tender grief of the Galvin family, transforming the loss of their infant daughter, Marie, into a ministry of compassion that now impacts the lives of those struggling in Worcester. This outreach initiative embodies the church’s core belief that we are called to "do a new thing," embracing fresh opportunities to serve and uplift others. Additionally, we are blessed to host two vibrant congregations in Tatro Hall—Bride of the Lamb, a Brazilian church, and a Ghanaian church—whose presence not only supports our shared mission through rental partnership but also enriches the local area with the joy and diversity of their worship traditions. Whether through worship, education, or service, St. Michael's-on-the-Heights remains a beacon of compassion, ensuring that all who enter find support, belonging, and inspiration to carry forward its mission of care, faith, and love.

At St. Michael's, tradition and innovation coexist, as members continuously seek ways to deepen their faith while embracing change.  In the more recent past, we responded to the COVID epidemic by starting a grief group.  This group meets every Monday in our church parlor.  But as this group became more intertwined, it outgrew the original purpose.  Our church has a strong desire to “fall in love with each other.”  Thus, our Parishioners to Friends group was reimagined out of grief.  In this group, our parishioners are invited to support each other, come to talk about their lives, and “work toward healing those broken by life circumstances”.1 We also seek to develop our community through larger parish wide events like our annual St Michael’s Day celebration, Pentecost Breakfast, and more.

Uniquely, our Junior Warden and our Building and Grounds group has recently spearheaded a major revisioning of the exterior of our narthex.  The refresh included painting the exterior a vibrant red, honoring the Episcopal tradition of red church doors that symbolize sanctuary and welcome.  Enhanced lighting now illuminates our newly erected cross – it’s simple white form is crowned with a bold red overlay – serves as a beacon of faith and hospitality to all passing by St Michael’s.

St. Michael's is a church built on the understanding that no one is perfect, and that's exactly what makes our community so genuine. We come together, not as flawless individuals, but as people navigating life’s ups and downs, each carrying our own stories of struggle and brokenness. Yet, amid imperfection, we find strength in grace and are guided by the Holy Spirit – which grounds us in a love that embraces, heals, and transforms. Here, we don’t expect anyone to have it all figured out; instead, we welcome one another with open hearts, knowing that faith is a journey, not a destination. No matter where you’ve been or what you’ve faced, you have a place here, surrounded by kindness and understanding.

As St Michael’s prepares to celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2027, we reflect with deep gratitude on a century shaped by faith, fellowship, and compassionate service.  We are prayerfully seeking a priest who will embrace this milestone with us.  Someone who honors the legacy of the past, embraces the vital spirit of our present, and helps us dream boldly into the future.