What to do with empty church buildings? St Gerard's church in Buffalo, which was closed in 2008, will see new life as Mary Our Queen parish in suburban Atlanta. The building will be taken apart piece by piece and reassembled in Georgia. Much better than the option to build a new church, imho.
Read the article here, see what you think.
Friday, July 23, 2010
17. Most Holy Trinity
Location: Detroit's Corktown neighborhood, near the old Tiger Stadium site
Parish Founded/Church Built: 1834/1855
Date Visited: 6/20/10 11:00AM (Father's Day)
Corktown is one of the most vibrant Detroit neighborhoods. Boasting the title of the oldest neighborhood in the city, it's home to Slow's BBQ, the abandoned Michigan Central Station, the St. Patrick's Day parade, Irish, Mexicans, and anyone looking for history and character in a place to live. Also in Corktown is Most Holy Trinity church. It's a bit hidden from Michigan Avenue, but you can't miss it coming south on the Lodge, right before the Howard exit.
The church has a large active parish, with weekday and weekend masses offered in English and Bilingual English and Spanish. They offer free legal and medical assistance to anyone who is in need. They also have one of only eight (last I checked) Catholic elementary schools in the city operating.
On my visit, Father Russ Kohler (who baptised my oldest brother in 1973) was in fine form. It was father's day and he took the time to lambast absent fathers (and mothers). The reason for all of society's problems, he said, is the break down in good parenting and spiritual guidance. All the fathers present went up to get a pin and much needed appreciation. He also highlighted the stories of St. Brigid of Ireland and St. Patrick.
The inside of the building holds artifacts, like an old carriage, and a museum of the hospital that once served the 1830s population. One thing this 1855 building lacks is a bathroom. I had been hydrating myself too much before I realized this. In their bulletin it said Catholics used to fast for 12 hours before mass and it wasn't a problem, but finally 155 years later plans to install a bathroom in the church are underway, but they'll have to remove the hospital museum.
According to Fr. Kohler, "if this is the only thing I'm remembered for, so be it!"
Going to mass at Most Holy Trinity was a wonderful experience. The parishioners were friendly, the service solemn but not too stiff, the sermon relevant. The building has a great energy that comes from the many people who worship there and work to serve the community.
Corktown is one of the most vibrant Detroit neighborhoods. Boasting the title of the oldest neighborhood in the city, it's home to Slow's BBQ, the abandoned Michigan Central Station, the St. Patrick's Day parade, Irish, Mexicans, and anyone looking for history and character in a place to live. Also in Corktown is Most Holy Trinity church. It's a bit hidden from Michigan Avenue, but you can't miss it coming south on the Lodge, right before the Howard exit.
The church has a large active parish, with weekday and weekend masses offered in English and Bilingual English and Spanish. They offer free legal and medical assistance to anyone who is in need. They also have one of only eight (last I checked) Catholic elementary schools in the city operating.
On my visit, Father Russ Kohler (who baptised my oldest brother in 1973) was in fine form. It was father's day and he took the time to lambast absent fathers (and mothers). The reason for all of society's problems, he said, is the break down in good parenting and spiritual guidance. All the fathers present went up to get a pin and much needed appreciation. He also highlighted the stories of St. Brigid of Ireland and St. Patrick.
The inside of the building holds artifacts, like an old carriage, and a museum of the hospital that once served the 1830s population. One thing this 1855 building lacks is a bathroom. I had been hydrating myself too much before I realized this. In their bulletin it said Catholics used to fast for 12 hours before mass and it wasn't a problem, but finally 155 years later plans to install a bathroom in the church are underway, but they'll have to remove the hospital museum.
According to Fr. Kohler, "if this is the only thing I'm remembered for, so be it!"
Going to mass at Most Holy Trinity was a wonderful experience. The parishioners were friendly, the service solemn but not too stiff, the sermon relevant. The building has a great energy that comes from the many people who worship there and work to serve the community.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
16. St. Albertus
Location: Detroit Canfield and St. Aubin, a stone throw away from St. Josaphat and Sweetest Heart of Mary
Parish Founded/Church built: 1872/1885
Date visited: 6/13/2010 12pm
Much more than just a beautiful, historic church, St. Albertus is a symbol of Detroit's Polish community that once lives in this area and was so numerous there were many giant churches all within sight of each others spires to house the faithful, each seating a few thousand people for over a century until...
This parish was officially closed in 1990 but the volunteers of the Polish American Historic Site Association keep up the building. Mass is said there once a month at least, with a Tridentine (Latin) Mass said four times a year. I was there for one of these Latin masses and I stumbled upon it by accident mainly. I was on my way to St. Elizabeth's noon mass when I drove by St. Albertus and saw the parking lot filling up. I couldn't resist going to mass at a church that is only open a few times a months.
It was a great surprise to be able to go to St. Albertus, especially for a Latin mass. I chose a pew near the front and sat down seconds before mass started. Just my luck this was one of the creakiest pews I've ever sat in. I couldn't move, bringing to mind the horror stories I hear from the generations before me that tell me about how they had to sit for hours in mass not moving, not twitching, nothing.
Of course for Tridentine mass one tries to be on her best behavior. Kneel, sit, stand, try to follow the Latin: credo in unum Deum... oh shoot that's about as far as I go! But I realized not only was my pew creaky but my kneeler didn't fold down. There is a lot of kneeling involved in a traditional mass, so there I was kneeling on the 1885 (one hundred years before my birth) wooden floors, praying to the patron saint against splinters.
The neighborhood around the church is desolate now. Some blocks have no houses left, just burnt out shells. There is a traffic light which has no intact building at any of the four corners, and a sign "Traffic Light is being studied for removal". I think it's safe to be removed. Nature is winning the battle against the former school buildings. The church was robbed of copper by thieves not long ago. There is gated, guarded parking available and a gate surrounds the church. But like any good symbol of Detroit, this community will not be hindered by the blight that surrounds it. The volunteers and anyone involved in the upkeep of St. Albertus are the kind of people that give me hope for the future of the city.
The next masses as well as a music festival and play production are all on the St. Albertus website, under Calendar of Events. This is one you just can't pass up!
The neighborhood around the church is desolate now. Some blocks have no houses left, just burnt out shells. There is a traffic light which has no intact building at any of the four corners, and a sign "Traffic Light is being studied for removal". I think it's safe to be removed. Nature is winning the battle against the former school buildings. The church was robbed of copper by thieves not long ago. There is gated, guarded parking available and a gate surrounds the church. But like any good symbol of Detroit, this community will not be hindered by the blight that surrounds it. The volunteers and anyone involved in the upkeep of St. Albertus are the kind of people that give me hope for the future of the city.
The next masses as well as a music festival and play production are all on the St. Albertus website, under Calendar of Events. This is one you just can't pass up!
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Master List
Churches I have visited:
Churches I have yet to visit:
- Christ the King
- St. Scholastica
- Ste. Anne
- All Saints
- St. Suzanne
- Blessed Sacrament Cathedral
- Holy Redeemer
- Old St. Mary's
- St. Cunegunda
- Assumption Grotto
- Ss. Peter and Paul Jesuit
- St. Aloysius
- St. Joseph
- St. Thomas Aquinas
- St. Josaphat
- St. Albertus*
- Most Holy Trinity
- Sweetest Heart of Mary
- Transfiguration
- Our Lady Queen of Heaven
- St. Patrick
- Our Lady of the Rosary
Churches I have yet to visit:
- Church of the Madonna
- Corpus Christi/St. Gerard
- Gesu
- Good Shepherd
- Holy Cross (Hungarian)
- Holy Family
- Nativity
- Our Lady of Good Counsel
- Our Lady Queen of Angels
- Presentation/Our Lady of Victory
- Sacred Heart
- Ss. Andrew and Benedict
- Ss. Augustine and Monica
- Ss. Peter and Paul (Warrendale)
- St. Anthony (Lithuanian)
- St. Bartholomew - St. Rita
- St. Cecilia
- St. Charles Borromeo
- St. Christopher
- St. Elizabeth
- St. Francis D'Assisi
- St. Gabriel
- St. Gregory the Great
- St. Hedwig
- St. Hyacinth
- St. Jude
- St. Leo
- St. Louis the King
- St. Luke
- St. Mary of Redford
- St. Matthew
- St. Peter Claver
- St. Philomena
- St. Raymond
- St. Stephen
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
15. St. Josaphat
Location: Detroit, I-75 and Canfield (between Warren and Mack exits)
Parish Founded/Church built 1889/1901
Date visited: 4/11/10 12pm
St. Josaphat is the three steepled church that mimics the Renaissance center's pattern when coming into Detroit south on I-75. Beautiful on the outside as well as the inside, this church made me feel a connection to the past as we went through mass.
We attended the Sunday after Easter, also called Divine Mercy Sunday. It just happened that the day before a plane carrying dozens of the Polish military and government leaders crashed in Russia on the way to commemorate the many thousands of Poles killed by the Soviets in 1940. The visiting priest, himself from Poland in front of a largely Polish American congregation spoke of these tragedies, and the capacity for forgiveness.
The church building has held up well against the passing of a century. I felt a deep connection to the history of this parish, as plaques honor the parishioners who volunteered for WWI and WWII. Murals depicting great moments in the history of Polish Catholicism offer a history lesson on the ceilings.
St. Josaphat is one of the many Detroit churches where you can attend Tridentine (Latin) mass at 9:30 on Sunday mornings and 7pm on Mondays. Along with the members of their cluster parishes, Sweetest Heart of Mary and St. Joseph, they have many offerings in the way of committees, special events, and other offerings. Go to any of these churches (or all three) and you are in for a great mass experience where thousands of parishioners have worshiped before. It is truly a great feeling.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Blessed Sacrament
Name: Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament
Location: Detroit, Woodward and West Chicago in the Boston Edison neighborhood
Parish Founded/Church Built 1905/1913
Date Visited: Several times in childhood, most recently 3/21/10 11am
Blessed Sacrament Cathedral is so grand it's hard to believe it was not built to be the cathedral church of Detroit, but just another parish. In fact there were many churches that served as cathedral before Blessed Sacrament became cathedral in 1938.
Sts. Peter and Paul on Jefferson was the cathedral church until 1877 when the Jesuits took over the parish and St. Aloysius became the cathedral church. Then in 1890 St. Patrick church on John R and Adelaide (which has since burned down) was designated at cathedral and renamed Sts. Peter and Paul to keep the same name for the new cathedral (Are you following so far?) Then in 1938 Detroit became an Archdiocese and Cardinal Mooney marked this change by designating the Most Blessed Sacrament to be the new cathedral church.
In Boston Edison -a neighborhood which once was home to the Fords, Firestones, and Fishers -Blessed Sacrament is in close proximity to many other grand churches on Woodward Avenue. It's easy to imagine the area in better times, surrounded by mansions and the well to do. Both the outside and inside are a feast to the eyes.
The interior was redone a few years ago, and the new altar has a very modern look that doesn't fit in with the rest of the early 20th century design. I hate to say it, but it almost made me feel I was at a megachurch. But that's just my own opinion.
Location: Detroit, Woodward and West Chicago in the Boston Edison neighborhood
Parish Founded/Church Built 1905/1913
Date Visited: Several times in childhood, most recently 3/21/10 11am
Blessed Sacrament Cathedral is so grand it's hard to believe it was not built to be the cathedral church of Detroit, but just another parish. In fact there were many churches that served as cathedral before Blessed Sacrament became cathedral in 1938.
Sts. Peter and Paul on Jefferson was the cathedral church until 1877 when the Jesuits took over the parish and St. Aloysius became the cathedral church. Then in 1890 St. Patrick church on John R and Adelaide (which has since burned down) was designated at cathedral and renamed Sts. Peter and Paul to keep the same name for the new cathedral (Are you following so far?) Then in 1938 Detroit became an Archdiocese and Cardinal Mooney marked this change by designating the Most Blessed Sacrament to be the new cathedral church.
In Boston Edison -a neighborhood which once was home to the Fords, Firestones, and Fishers -Blessed Sacrament is in close proximity to many other grand churches on Woodward Avenue. It's easy to imagine the area in better times, surrounded by mansions and the well to do. Both the outside and inside are a feast to the eyes.
The interior was redone a few years ago, and the new altar has a very modern look that doesn't fit in with the rest of the early 20th century design. I hate to say it, but it almost made me feel I was at a megachurch. But that's just my own opinion.
They were preparing for the week ahead when they would become more than a parish but the cathedral, host to many visitors from far and wide. Large events and official masses with the Archbishop are held there, especially for Holy Week.
Afterwards we were shown around by one of the greeters. There are a lot of details to take in. Then there was a fellowship hour we were welcomed to join in, once we found our way through the maze that led to the basement. Everyone was friendly, I just wish they hadn't renovated the place to look so modern.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Ste. Anne
Name: Ste. Anne de DetroitLocation: Southwest Detroit in the shadow of the Ambassador Bridge, look for the twin steeples
Parish Founded/Church Built: 1701/1886
Date Visited: several times in childhood, most recently March 28th, 2010 (Palm Sunday) 12pm
The formal name: Ste. Anne de Detroit is telling of Detroit's French roots. Founded two days after the French landed on the banks of what would become Detroit, Ste. Anne is the second oldest continually running parish in the USA (trailing only a parish in St. Augustine, they always win the Oldest Contest). The Basilian Fathers - an order with post-revolution French roots run the parish.
On Palm Sunday, heavy rains kept the usual outdoor Palm ceremony and procession inside the church vestibule. As a child I remember coming to Ste. Anne for Spanish Mass. While the Southwest Detroit area has the area's largest Spanish speaking population, this mass was in English and the enormous church was filled to capacity for the third mass of the day. The priest, keeping the congregation mindful of the start of Holy Week, gave a wonderful sermon about the importance of Reconciliation (confession). This is not something that would normally come from my line of thinking, but it made me want to go to confession.
Of course the building itself is a masterpiece. It is 124 years old and just as beautiful as 20 churches built in the last 75 years put together. Beautiful stained glass windows, a ceiling resembling the starry heavens, and awe inspiring altars. It is always a great experience to enter into Ste. Anne's.
Coming up at the end of this month is a great opportunity to worship and celebrate at Ste. Anne. The 100th Annual Novena will happen from July 17-July 26 (the feast day of Sts. Anne and Joachim. Each night will celebrate a different ethnic group, and all are welcome to participate in as many or as few nights as possible. For more information, see this article in the Michigan Catholic.
For those who are wondering, Ste. Anne is the mother of Mary, the mother of Jesus. It was her pregnancy with Mary that is referred to as the Immaculate Conception - meaning Mary was conceived without sin so that she could one day become the mother of Jesus. St. Joachim was her husband, the father of Mary.
Harvard's Pluralism Project also has a great profile of Ste. Anne's history and community.
Friday, July 2, 2010
Church Closings
Population shift. White flight. Suburban sprawl. Low enrollment. Restructuring.
Whatever reason is given to why a parish must close, it is undoubtedly one of the saddest experiences a community can go through. Here in Michigan we know a thing or two about hard economic times. I joke that every weekend there seems to be a going away party for someone who hopes to find a better situation elsewhere.
During the first part of the 20th century, Detroit's population grew, with many immigrant populations coming from traditionally Catholic areas. Polish, Germans, Hungarians, Mexicans and Blacks migrating from the South came to Detroit for the great economy and settled into neighborhoods, each with their own flavor and a church or two.
While some of these neighborhoods now resemble post-apocalypse ruin, the churches still stand. However, for myriad reasons, the Archdiocese made the painful decision to close 31 parishes in 1989 and another few dozen city and suburban parishes were closed or clustered in 2006. With population decline and no relief on the horizon for the economy, things don't look so rosy for the future. The restructuring of 2006 designated some churches to be closed as soon as the current priest leaves. What a depressing though, to go to a church you know will likely not be open in 5-10 years. One of these is St. Anthony Lithuanian church on Vernor and I-75. I feel the need to visit this church as soon as possible for obvious reasons.
The Archdiocese of Cleveland is going through a similar restructuring. They have recently closed 50(!) churches. Parishioners from St. Emeric, a Hungarian parish, staged a sit in to protest the closing. They were threatened by police to evacuate, but no one was arrested. They are appealing to the Vatican to stay open but in the meantime the Archdiocese will empty the building. To read about what happens to a church after it's closed, read this article about the Archdiocese of Cleveland.
There are no simple answers to most questions about how and why the Detroit area got into such a bad rut, but if I could wave a magic wand I would make all these churches full of devoted worshippers with no threat of closing.
Whatever reason is given to why a parish must close, it is undoubtedly one of the saddest experiences a community can go through. Here in Michigan we know a thing or two about hard economic times. I joke that every weekend there seems to be a going away party for someone who hopes to find a better situation elsewhere.
During the first part of the 20th century, Detroit's population grew, with many immigrant populations coming from traditionally Catholic areas. Polish, Germans, Hungarians, Mexicans and Blacks migrating from the South came to Detroit for the great economy and settled into neighborhoods, each with their own flavor and a church or two.
While some of these neighborhoods now resemble post-apocalypse ruin, the churches still stand. However, for myriad reasons, the Archdiocese made the painful decision to close 31 parishes in 1989 and another few dozen city and suburban parishes were closed or clustered in 2006. With population decline and no relief on the horizon for the economy, things don't look so rosy for the future. The restructuring of 2006 designated some churches to be closed as soon as the current priest leaves. What a depressing though, to go to a church you know will likely not be open in 5-10 years. One of these is St. Anthony Lithuanian church on Vernor and I-75. I feel the need to visit this church as soon as possible for obvious reasons.
The Archdiocese of Cleveland is going through a similar restructuring. They have recently closed 50(!) churches. Parishioners from St. Emeric, a Hungarian parish, staged a sit in to protest the closing. They were threatened by police to evacuate, but no one was arrested. They are appealing to the Vatican to stay open but in the meantime the Archdiocese will empty the building. To read about what happens to a church after it's closed, read this article about the Archdiocese of Cleveland.
There are no simple answers to most questions about how and why the Detroit area got into such a bad rut, but if I could wave a magic wand I would make all these churches full of devoted worshippers with no threat of closing.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
13. St Joseph
Name: St. Joseph
Location: Detroit: Gratiot and St. Aubin, near Eastern Market and north end of Dequindre Cut
Parish Founded/Church built: 1855/1873(ish)
Date Visited: March 19, 2010 5-10pm
Location: Detroit: Gratiot and St. Aubin, near Eastern Market and north end of Dequindre Cut
Parish Founded/Church built: 1855/1873(ish)
Date Visited: March 19, 2010 5-10pm
I used to use the spire of St. Joseph to help me find Eastern Market. Visible from miles away, once I find that I can easily get to Eastern Market. St. Joseph was originally a German parish whose parishioners came from Old St. Mary's. They built an ornate building that has stood the test of time.
We were luck enough to visit on the feast of St. Joseph, and there were all day events going on. We came at 5 for an organ concert, then went to Fish Fry at Sweetest Heart of Mary, then returned for mass and a tour of the wonderful building. It was a great way to spend a Friday night.
Both the outside and inside of St. Joseph are grand beyond anything built in the last 70 years. They really outdid themselves with the details and statues of each saint. The windows are incredible, including one that was imported from Austria using a glass technique that can no longer be reproduced. It is said that window is worth more than all other stained glass windows in all Detroit put together.
St. Joseph has a very active music ministry, and we were able to enjoy the organ concert and get a feel for the power of the instrument. We listened for an hour, taking in the great church and walking around to each altar and statue. After some time we went to their social hall where they had a traditional St. Joseph shrine where people brought food for his feast day that would later be distributed.
After having Detroit's best Fish Fry at Sweetest Heart, we returned for mass. It was my first Latin Trinetine mass experience. This was mass in Extraordinary form, the way it was back in the day. The priest faces the altar, back to the congregations, with the aid of many deacons who sit, stand, kneel and genuflect in military uniform. Not all masses at St. Joseph are like this. They have masses each Sunday in English, Latin, and sometimes German.
Seeing as how it wasn't a normal Sunday mass, I don't want to judge certain aspects of the experience just on this visit. But for the architecture and artwork alone, it's worth the trip.
Monday, June 28, 2010
12. St Aloysius
Name: St. Aloysius
Location: Detroit - Washington and Grand River
Parish Established/Church Built: 1873/1930
Date Visited: 3/14/10 11:30AM
Just like Ss. Peter and Paul, you could pass by St. Aloysius and not know it's a church. It fits right in between two large buildings on Washington Blvd. down the street from the Book Cadillac. From the outside it looks fairly traditional, which makes the inside all the more stunning.
With not a lot of space at a church which once served all the Catholics working downtown for mass on Holy days, the solution was to build tiered seating, like a stadium or theatre. There are three levels of seats, with the first floor being the main level, but a few hundred people could sit in the basement and look up to the main altar through a hole in the floor/ceiling. I've never seen anything like it. Of course now only the main level was used.
Besides from being blown away by the architecture, this was by far the friendliest congregation until now. I was welcomed right away and people smiled so genuinely when they said "Good Morning" it was hard not feel good.
St. Aloysius is clustered with St. Patrick (right by the DSO). Their usual pastor was busy all day with St. Patrick's Day festivities at the parish and corktown, that we had a visiting priest. He was formerly from Shrine in Royal Oak. He was great, and the entire experience felt very personal and relevant. He welcomed the visitors from out of state and had some parishioners get up and tell their stories of faith. Most enjoyably, this parish sings! They even have the same book, Lead Me Guide Me we had at Christ the King.
Also, the sharing of peace, which usually lasts all of 45 seconds at most churches was more akin to Christ the King's love in/intermission I'm accustomed to. It's perfectly acceptable at CK to walk around the church to share the greeting of peace with anyone and everyone, while at most churches I see, you just stand still, and maybe shake hands or just make eye contact with those in your immediate surroundings. St. Aloysius was just like CK where people walked around, and had small conversations. I found out the woman sitting next to me was from my neighborhood, and was baptised at Christ the King.
This church rightly bills itself as multi-ethnic, multi-generational, and they should also add multi-socio economic status in there too, but I guess that would be bulky. There are all types here, all doing God's work in church and in the community at large. Across the street is the Canticle Cafe, a place where anyone can come indoors to us the internet, library, and get some food and drink at no cost.
Social hour afterwards was sponsored by St. Al's partnering parish, Our Lady of Good Counsel in Plymouth, MI. Their parishioners come every (month? two months??) to serve a hearty lunch to St. Al's. I felt more than welcome to attend, and sat down with strangers and stated talking like old friends. It was an incredible experience. Although I wondered do people think just because we live in Detroit that we're hungry?? Oh well, it was great lunch, thanks OLGC!
Well, this is all from just my perspective, but obviously I really enjoyed St. Al's. Thanks to them for making me feel welcome, I hope to return soon!
Side note: my mom says she attended St. Aloysius on weekdays when she worked for the Bell company down the street, my oldest brother was baptised there by Fr. Kolar, who is now at Most Holy Trinity. Small Archdiocese!
Sunday, June 27, 2010
11. Ss. Peter and Paul Jesuit
Name: Saints Peter and Paul Jesuit Location: Detroit - Jefferson and St. AntoineParish Established/Church Built: 1844/1848
Date Visited: 3/7/10 11:00AM
So many good things to say about this parish, where do I start? You have probably driven by Ss. Peter and Paul church and not even noticed it. You're missing out at looking at Detroit's oldest church building, finished in 1848. Think about how old that is for a second... pretty old. You think about all the thousands of people who have sat in those pews, been baptised, married, or had their funeral mass there.
The exterior like I said does not look much like a church. It is on Jefferson across the street from the Renaissance center, next to several buildings that now make up the University of Detroit Law School. The interior is beautiful, though, with white as the dominant color. Paintings of saints are on the ceiling.
Before mass, were welcomed by the priest, Fr. Mark George SJ. He came right up to Chris and I and asked if were "that couple who asked to meet with him" we said no, we were just here as visitors, and he took the time to welcome us and learn our names. We were welcomed by others before mass started, always a good sign.
During the homily, Fr. George connected the readings to current events, like the disaster in Haiti. Some said the earthquake was was God's punishment to the country, but he said that is not the way God works.
He also encouraged the congregation to sit closer and more central to the main altar. He said since our numbers are so small, there's no reason for us to spread ourselves out so much. They said they were considering roping off the back sections of pews. When you think about all the great church buildings in this city that were meant to house thousands of worshipers at a time, and now they are lucky to have 100 at any given mass, it's very sad. In many other cities that experienced suburban flight, people still came back to worship at the same church as their parents and grandparents, but that was not the case with many Detroit parishes. In 1989, 31 parishes closed because of population shifts. Another handful (not sure the number) were closed or restructured in 2006. More may be to come if no one is there to
After mass there was a social hour with refreshments in the back of church. It was a great experience in general, and I can't wait to go back.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
10. Assumption Grotto
Name: Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church
Location: Detroit - Gratiot and E. McNichols
Parish Established/Church Built: 1832/1929
Date Visited: 2/21/10
Feeling nostalgic for the pre-Vatican II days when you spent half of mass on the kneelers, women covered their heads, and no less than 12 altar boys and deacons assisted the priest in mass? I have just the church for you - Assumption Grotto.
This was by far the most traditional mass experience I've experienced. Growing up in a church where we only knelt after receiving Eucharist, and we didn't say the creed for a few years, this was a very different experience.
They have a large active congregation, which is surprising and wonderful considering the fact that this church sits in one of the worst neighborhoods in Detroit. The grounds include the church itself, a cemetery, convent, rectory and a grotto. The church is absolutely breathtaking, and to me is what a church should look like. This is one of those "they don't make them like the used to" churches.
This was the first time I realized that the congregation is supposed to kneel or bow in the creed where Jesus is born of a virgin, comes down from heaven and becomes man. I learned the hard way as we were singing the creed in Latin, I was reading along and translating, remembering the ablative and accusative case, when I look around and see everyone else on their knees. I definitely outed myself as an outsider there.
I also experienced the old form of receiving Eucharist, kneeling at the altar, on the tongue, with a deacon holding a metal platter under your chin in case the Host should fall.
After mass was ended, the congregation said the rosary. I was not prepared for this but followed along without a rosary. I counted on my fingers all the Hail Marys - trying to remember how many "rounds" (decades) there were in total, four or five? (answer: five) I remember calling my mom that day and telling her "I've never had my knees hurt from mass before!" and she laughed and told me that was the way it used to be.
It was the first Sunday of Lent, and I only wondered if maybe the mass was more solemn than in Ordinary Time. Only one way to find out, to go back sometime, prepared this time for the rosary!
Friday, June 25, 2010
Church Visits pre-2010
In order (I think)
1. Christ the King - where I grew up, had all my sacraments, brother got married, dad's funeral
2. St. Scholastica - one of the closer parishes to my house, we used to go to 12:30 mass there when we couldn't get up for CK's 10am mass
3. Ste. Anne - Detroit's oldest parish. Founded in 1701, it's older than just about anything else in this city. It's building, however is a little more modern than the original log cabin, it was built in 1886. I visited Ste. Anne on Palm Sunday 2010 and will talk more about it then.
4. All Saints - a church in the Delray/Southwest Detroit area, Fort St. and Livernois. My cousins went there and I would go when there was a baptism or First Communion to celebrate.
5. St. Suzanne - now clustered with Our Lady Gate of Heaven. We would go here for evening mass (5:30) if we really slept in.
6. Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament - I remember asking my mother when I was younger which sacrament was the most blessed of all of them. I thought they all seemed pretty important. She looked at me wondering where she went wrong and said it's the Eucharist. It all makes sense now. I went there to see Handel's Messiah, and realized why people usually only sing the Hallelujah Chorus. I visited it again in 2010 and will speak more about it later.
7. Holy Redeemer - my dad and brother went to Holy Redeemer High School. The first wedding I was a part of was here in 1994.
8. Old St Mary's (Greektown) that beautiful church in Greektown you see squeezed in there between the casinos, restaurants, and Astoria Bakery. It has quite a lively parish, and wonderful choir. I went there to hear Latin mass for the first time. I took two semesters of Latin in college and thought it would be a good way to put my knowledge to use. I forgot to pick up a booklet when I walked in with all the translations. Reader, do not make this mistake, you will not enjoy the experience. If you go to Latin mass, the homily is in English (or whatever Language the congregation speaks), so don't be afraid you won't get anything out of it.
9. St. Cunegunda
My boyfriend is Polish, I'm Mexican. They have a Polish/Spanish mass. We had to go. St. Cunegunda is in a section of Detroit that has the same residents living there for many years. The neighborhood is slowly turning to a mix Latino, Arab, Black and White. My brother went to Kindergarten there, but now there is just a church. We went there around Halloween, and the little kids celebrated by dressing up as their favorite saint/nun/priest/apparition of Mary for All Saints Day.
1. Christ the King - where I grew up, had all my sacraments, brother got married, dad's funeral
2. St. Scholastica - one of the closer parishes to my house, we used to go to 12:30 mass there when we couldn't get up for CK's 10am mass
3. Ste. Anne - Detroit's oldest parish. Founded in 1701, it's older than just about anything else in this city. It's building, however is a little more modern than the original log cabin, it was built in 1886. I visited Ste. Anne on Palm Sunday 2010 and will talk more about it then.
4. All Saints - a church in the Delray/Southwest Detroit area, Fort St. and Livernois. My cousins went there and I would go when there was a baptism or First Communion to celebrate.
5. St. Suzanne - now clustered with Our Lady Gate of Heaven. We would go here for evening mass (5:30) if we really slept in.
6. Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament - I remember asking my mother when I was younger which sacrament was the most blessed of all of them. I thought they all seemed pretty important. She looked at me wondering where she went wrong and said it's the Eucharist. It all makes sense now. I went there to see Handel's Messiah, and realized why people usually only sing the Hallelujah Chorus. I visited it again in 2010 and will speak more about it later.
7. Holy Redeemer - my dad and brother went to Holy Redeemer High School. The first wedding I was a part of was here in 1994.
8. Old St Mary's (Greektown) that beautiful church in Greektown you see squeezed in there between the casinos, restaurants, and Astoria Bakery. It has quite a lively parish, and wonderful choir. I went there to hear Latin mass for the first time. I took two semesters of Latin in college and thought it would be a good way to put my knowledge to use. I forgot to pick up a booklet when I walked in with all the translations. Reader, do not make this mistake, you will not enjoy the experience. If you go to Latin mass, the homily is in English (or whatever Language the congregation speaks), so don't be afraid you won't get anything out of it.
9. St. Cunegunda
My boyfriend is Polish, I'm Mexican. They have a Polish/Spanish mass. We had to go. St. Cunegunda is in a section of Detroit that has the same residents living there for many years. The neighborhood is slowly turning to a mix Latino, Arab, Black and White. My brother went to Kindergarten there, but now there is just a church. We went there around Halloween, and the little kids celebrated by dressing up as their favorite saint/nun/priest/apparition of Mary for All Saints Day.
In the beginning
I was brought up going to church each Sunday at Christ the King parish in Northwest Detroit. CK is a great place, and as I've made my rounds of the Roman Catholic churches in Detroit I'm learning there are few places quite like it.
Although I love my parish, like most young adults I go through phases of going to church and not. For the past few years it has been far more not. While maintaining a private spirituality and feeling God's presence in nature, I do miss attending mass.
My boyfriend, Chris, was also in the same boat. An active member of St. Mary's student parish in Ann Arbor in the past, it had been a few years since he'd been to church. Early in our relationship we went to mass at a suburban church with a large active congregation. Despite all the people there, we did not feel any connection to the priest, other parishioners, or even the building.
Over a year later we decided to give it another try, but this time we decided not to try one church, but to try them all! One thing we decided early was that we agreed the old church buildings were much more attractive to us. We wanted to see the oldest, grandest, most historic church buildings in Detroit, and other cities and what better way than to celebrate mass there?
Our "church hopping" adventure coincided with the most holy season, Lent. Going at such a special time made it all the more meaningful. Since then we visited eight new parishes for mass and others for Fish Fry and other festivities. Unfortunately (for me) Chris moved to South Florida earlier this year which means now I church hop alone here and he is searching for a good parish there.
I wish I could have started this months ago when visiting the churches was fresh in my mind, but I'll have to rely on memory. Also, I unfortunately never took pictures (I'm a little leery of taking pictures in church, but I'll try to get over that), so I'll try to find pictures posted on open sharing sites to go along with each visit. Of course, pictures only go so far, I hope some readers will be inspired to visit these grand places themselves.
Although I love my parish, like most young adults I go through phases of going to church and not. For the past few years it has been far more not. While maintaining a private spirituality and feeling God's presence in nature, I do miss attending mass.
My boyfriend, Chris, was also in the same boat. An active member of St. Mary's student parish in Ann Arbor in the past, it had been a few years since he'd been to church. Early in our relationship we went to mass at a suburban church with a large active congregation. Despite all the people there, we did not feel any connection to the priest, other parishioners, or even the building.
Over a year later we decided to give it another try, but this time we decided not to try one church, but to try them all! One thing we decided early was that we agreed the old church buildings were much more attractive to us. We wanted to see the oldest, grandest, most historic church buildings in Detroit, and other cities and what better way than to celebrate mass there?
Our "church hopping" adventure coincided with the most holy season, Lent. Going at such a special time made it all the more meaningful. Since then we visited eight new parishes for mass and others for Fish Fry and other festivities. Unfortunately (for me) Chris moved to South Florida earlier this year which means now I church hop alone here and he is searching for a good parish there.
I wish I could have started this months ago when visiting the churches was fresh in my mind, but I'll have to rely on memory. Also, I unfortunately never took pictures (I'm a little leery of taking pictures in church, but I'll try to get over that), so I'll try to find pictures posted on open sharing sites to go along with each visit. Of course, pictures only go so far, I hope some readers will be inspired to visit these grand places themselves.
Introduction to Detroit Wandering Sheep
Hi I'm Justine. I live in enchanting Northwest Detroit (Old Redford neighborhood)where I grew up attending Christ the King parish.
This blog is the story of my goal to visit all Catholic churches in Detroit. My intention is to bring attention to these beautiful buildings and the people there who are doing great things in my beloved city. I do not claim to be a perfect Catholic (no one is) or feel I have any authority to speak of church and religious issues. There are many other great blogs out there for those interested in discussing such matters.
If you have interest in old historic churches, community building, all things Detroit, and the occasional musing from a 20 something about spirituality and the paradox that is Detroit, then I invite you to share in my journey.
Peace be with you,
Justine
This blog is the story of my goal to visit all Catholic churches in Detroit. My intention is to bring attention to these beautiful buildings and the people there who are doing great things in my beloved city. I do not claim to be a perfect Catholic (no one is) or feel I have any authority to speak of church and religious issues. There are many other great blogs out there for those interested in discussing such matters.
If you have interest in old historic churches, community building, all things Detroit, and the occasional musing from a 20 something about spirituality and the paradox that is Detroit, then I invite you to share in my journey.
Peace be with you,
Justine
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