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.
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