11. Ss. Peter and Paul Jesuit

Name: Saints Peter and Paul Jesuit Location: Detroit - Jefferson and St. Antoine
Parish 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.