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The Conception of St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church began in the late 1970’s when Fr. John Brennan, Pastor of Immaculate Conception Church, saw an increasing need for a new parish to meet the growing Catholic population in the southern region of Grand Prairie.
In early 1984, representatives met with the Pastor of Immaculate Conception to establish a Mission in south Grand Prairie. On the last Sunday of March, the first Mass was celebrated at Zavala Elementary School with 314 attending.
Fr. John Fowler was appointed the first Pastor of St. Michael the Archangel by Bishop Thomas Tschoepe on June 14, 1985, and ground was broken for the existing church complex on June 22, 1986, one year later. The new Church complex was dedicated on December 5, 1987.
In June of 1992 Fr. Paul Weinberger replaced Fr. Fowler in administering to the needs of the St. Michael family. In September of that same year Fr. Rick Tullius became the Pastor. Fr. Tullius served until January 1997 when Fr. Danilo Ramos replaced him. In September of 1997 Fr. Joseph Lee replaced Fr. Ramos. Fr. Clifford Smith was installed as Pastor by Bishop Charles Grahmann on June 26, 2000. Fr. Andrew Semler came to ST. Michael in September 2005 he served administrator. Fr. Andrew Semler was installed as Pastor by Bishop Charles Grahmann on October 13, 2006. Fr. “Joseph” Hoa Duc Trinh was appointed Pastoral Administrator in January 2009.
St. Michael the Archangel has grown from a few hundred individuals to over 1,900 families. From diverse cultures, languages and countries we have been called together into a local Church community that has roots worldwide. Presently an average of 2200 attend the five Mass celebrations each weekend.
Throughout his life, King David carried a burning desire to build a temple of the Lord, “See, I am living in a house of cedar, but the arch of the covenant of the Lord dwells under tent cloth!” (1Chr 17:1) King David dared to dream!
A similar dream came true after the pioneer priests and parishioners of St. Michael overcame challenges to build a worship place that has become our spiritual home for 28 years.
Now, the St. Michael the Archangel commuity continues to grow by leaps and bounds in their new Sanctuary, which was dedicated on October 16, 2020.