[5] These settlers were German Catholics who emigrated from the Westphalian cities of Wimbach, Meerhof, and from Hesse, among others, and found the rich soil ideal for farming.

Some family members stayed in Detroit, while others moved into the wilderness to clear farmland.

After buying the land at Ionia, Father Anton Kopp traveled to Detroit to visit Bishop Friedrich Reese, and returned to his assigned parish in September 1837, where he celebrated Masses in the homes of the settlers in what is now St. Mary's Parish.

22.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

The racial makeup of the village was 99.43% White, 0.23% Native American, and 0.34% from two or more races.

[12] Hosted by the Westphalia Historical Society on the first Saturday of December, a parade goes down Main Street.

St. Nikolaus joins in as well, in true German tradition in honor of the upcoming feast day.

Hosted every September by the Westphalia Historical Society in the St. Mary Parish Cemetery, the Village Cemetery Walk is an event where historical members of the community are represented – often by living relatives – in period clothing, incorporate props, and tell stories to attendees as they walk past the deceased's graves.

The two-day festival held across from the church includes a cookout, beanbag tournament, Livestream of the Pewamo-Westphalia football game, bake sale, 5k/5 mile run, craft show, family concert, and evening live music.

On January 26, 2022, the community of Westphalia was spotlighted by the EWTN show "Living Divine Mercy".