Diocesesan response to limited-use churches

With the news that St. Wenceslaus in Gill’s Pier and St. Gertrude in Northport are being downgraded to limited use, the Diocese of Gaylord has responded to a story that ran last week about the fate of two Leelanau Catholic Churches.

“St. Wenceslaus and St. Gertrude have been designated a limited-use church as of July 1, 2026.

“Limited use means the church will not have regular weekend or weekday Masses. However, a limited-use church will celebrate its annual patronal Mass. Upon parishioner request and with the pastor’s discretion, parishioners’ weddings, baptisms, and funerals may also be celebrated there,” the diocese said in an email statement.