St. Hugo's came into being as a parish through the very active effort of two lay people -- Theodore F. and Alice MacManus. From that day to this, the extraordinary involvement of the laity has been and is St. Hugo's great strength.
In 1931, Fr. William W. Ryan, then pastor of Holy Name, Birmingham, was appointed to St. Hugo's as its first pastor by Bishop Michael J. Gallagher. Eager to establish the new parish, Fr. Ryan purchased property north of the Stoneycroft site and built a small frame building to serve as a chapel and rectory prior to the construction of the Church. While the exact date is unknown, the first Mass celebrated in the Chapel was early in 1931. The stone church was begun in 1931 and was completed in 1936.
In 1967 the current St. Hugo convent was completed and St. Hugo's school reached its present form with the library, the art, science and classroom additions of 1968. The school was staffed by the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary of Monroe, Michigan. On July 2, 1985, Fr. Esper retired after twenty years of devoted service and was replaced as pastor by Rev. Msgr. Anthony M. Tocco who currently is serving in that position.
Sunday, April 16, 1989, the church was dedicated with Edmund Cardinal Szoka officiating. This opened a year of celebration commemorating our coming together as one community in this new facility.
Mission Statement
We, the Christian Catholic Community of St. Hugo of the Hills, proclaim the Good News that Jesus Christ is Lord. We go forth as a Sacramental Parish to serve the family of God. We join together to pray and work for peace.
Goals
We encourage participation in Stewardship and call all parishioners to share their time, talent, and treasure.
We seek to improve greater awareness and participation in all Education programs.
We encourage young people to feel comfortable in learning about and participating in the life of Jesus Christ and the life of the Church.