The beautiful architecture of Detroit's most stunning places of worship

Sweetest Heart of Mary Church

4440 Russell St., Detroit
The religious history of Detroit’s Polish community is complex and remains hotly disputed. In 1885, the parish of St. Albertus was polarized into two factions. Ultimately, a Father Dominic Hippolytus Kolasiñski was excommunicated. When he left in 1886 for the Dakota Territory, his followers in Detroit founded their own institutions parallel to that of the St. Albertus mainstream. What began as a religious school for the community’s children, soon became the Sweetest Heart of Mary Parish, operating without authorization from the Catholic Church of Detroit. Over the past century, the church did in fact fall into line with the Catholic Church authorities and has since bloomed into one of the most architecturally stunning churches in the city.
Photos by Will Feuer

Sweetest Heart of Mary Church

4440 Russell St., Detroit
The religious history of Detroit’s Polish community is complex and remains hotly disputed. In 1885, the parish of St. Albertus was polarized into two factions. Ultimately, a Father Dominic Hippolytus Kolasiñski was excommunicated. When he left in 1886 for the Dakota Territory, his followers in Detroit founded their own institutions parallel to that of the St. Albertus mainstream. What began as a religious school for the community’s children, soon became the Sweetest Heart of Mary Parish, operating without authorization from the Catholic Church of Detroit. Over the past century, the church did in fact fall into line with the Catholic Church authorities and has since bloomed into one of the most architecturally stunning churches in the city.
Photos by Will Feuer

Sweetest Heart of Mary Church

4440 Russell St., Detroit
The religious history of Detroit’s Polish community is complex and remains hotly disputed. In 1885, the parish of St. Albertus was polarized into two factions. Ultimately, a Father Dominic Hippolytus Kolasiñski was excommunicated. When he left in 1886 for the Dakota Territory, his followers in Detroit founded their own institutions parallel to that of the St. Albertus mainstream. What began as a religious school for the community’s children, soon became the Sweetest Heart of Mary Parish, operating without authorization from the Catholic Church of Detroit. Over the past century, the church did in fact fall into line with the Catholic Church authorities and has since bloomed into one of the most architecturally stunning churches in the city.
Photos by Will Feuer

Sweetest Heart of Mary Church

4440 Russell St., Detroit
The religious history of Detroit’s Polish community is complex and remains hotly disputed. In 1885, the parish of St. Albertus was polarized into two factions. Ultimately, a Father Dominic Hippolytus Kolasiñski was excommunicated. When he left in 1886 for the Dakota Territory, his followers in Detroit founded their own institutions parallel to that of the St. Albertus mainstream. What began as a religious school for the community’s children, soon became the Sweetest Heart of Mary Parish, operating without authorization from the Catholic Church of Detroit. Over the past century, the church did in fact fall into line with the Catholic Church authorities and has since bloomed into one of the most architecturally stunning churches in the city.
Photos by Will Feuer

Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament

9844 Woodward Ave., Detroit
Established in 1905 in what was then known as Detroit’s Piety Hill area, the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament is one of Michigan’s central religious institutions. In 1937, when Detroit was elevated to archdiocese status with the Vatican, the Most Blessed Sacrament was selected to house the archdiocese, which it still does today. In 1987, when Pope John Paul II visited the US, he spoke before a crowd at the cathedral and spent the night at the adjacent archbishop's residence. It remains a key institution of the politico-religious system of Detroit.
Photos by Will Feuer

Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament

9844 Woodward Ave., Detroit
Established in 1905 in what was then known as Detroit’s Piety Hill area, the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament is one of Michigan’s central religious institutions. In 1937, when Detroit was elevated to archdiocese status with the Vatican, the Most Blessed Sacrament was selected to house the archdiocese, which it still does today. In 1987, when Pope John Paul II visited the US, he spoke before a crowd at the cathedral and spent the night at the adjacent archbishop's residence. It remains a key institution of the politico-religious system of Detroit.
Photos by Will Feuer

Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament

9844 Woodward Ave., Detroit
Established in 1905 in what was then known as Detroit’s Piety Hill area, the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament is one of Michigan’s central religious institutions. In 1937, when Detroit was elevated to archdiocese status with the Vatican, the Most Blessed Sacrament was selected to house the archdiocese, which it still does today. In 1987, when Pope John Paul II visited the US, he spoke before a crowd at the cathedral and spent the night at the adjacent archbishop's residence. It remains a key institution of the politico-religious system of Detroit.
Photos by Will Feuer

Bethel AME

5050 St. Antoine St., Detroit
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. famously said the most segregated hour of the week in America was Sunday morning. Growing naturally out of American segregation, the African Methodist Episcopal Church movement was founded by a group of former slaves and free black men in 1816. In 1839, the movement reached Detroit when fifty black Detroiters came together to form the Colored Methodist Society, which two years later would join the AME denomination.

As is often the case with black churches in Detroit, Bethel AME has changed location a number of times, often due to so-called urban renewal. In 1974, the church found its current home, three and a half acres on Warren Boulevard. Since its founding, Bethel AME has served not only as the site of religious congregation for its community, but also as a school for black children, a point of assistance for black southern immigrants to Detroit, and has advocated for fair housing and labor policies.
Photos by Will Feuer

Bethel AME

5050 St. Antoine St., Detroit
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. famously said the most segregated hour of the week in America was Sunday morning. Growing naturally out of American segregation, the African Methodist Episcopal Church movement was founded by a group of former slaves and free black men in 1816. In 1839, the movement reached Detroit when fifty black Detroiters came together to form the Colored Methodist Society, which two years later would join the AME denomination.

As is often the case with black churches in Detroit, Bethel AME has changed location a number of times, often due to so-called urban renewal. In 1974, the church found its current home, three and a half acres on Warren Boulevard. Since its founding, Bethel AME has served not only as the site of religious congregation for its community, but also as a school for black children, a point of assistance for black southern immigrants to Detroit, and has advocated for fair housing and labor policies.
Photos by Will Feuer

Bethel AME

5050 St. Antoine St., Detroit
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. famously said the most segregated hour of the week in America was Sunday morning. Growing naturally out of American segregation, the African Methodist Episcopal Church movement was founded by a group of former slaves and free black men in 1816. In 1839, the movement reached Detroit when fifty black Detroiters came together to form the Colored Methodist Society, which two years later would join the AME denomination.

As is often the case with black churches in Detroit, Bethel AME has changed location a number of times, often due to so-called urban renewal. In 1974, the church found its current home, three and a half acres on Warren Boulevard. Since its founding, Bethel AME has served not only as the site of religious congregation for its community, but also as a school for black children, a point of assistance for black southern immigrants to Detroit, and has advocated for fair housing and labor policies.
Photos by Will Feuer

St. Bonaventure Monastery (Franciscan Capuchins)

1740 Mt. Elliott Ave., Detroit
Detroit may seem an unlikely location for a Capuchin monastery, but since 1883, St. Bonaventure has been a fixture of lower East Detroit. The Monastery has been a welcome anchor of stability in a rapidly changing neighborhood. Today, the monastery is in good company, surrounded by the Gleaners Community Food Bank, the nationally acclaimed nonprofit Downtown Boxing Gym Youth Program, and the curious Seafoam Palace of Arts and Amusements.

From just across the tranquil Mt. Elliott Cemetery, on the street of the same name, the white-tipped spire of St. Bonaventure hovers over the rest of the neighborhood. Inside, one can peruse their dozen bronze statues of leaders who have shaped the fabric of the city or stroll through their eloquent reflection garden. Also inside is the interred body of Solanus Casey, who served at the Detroit convent from 1924 to 1945. In 1995, Pope John Paul II declared that Casey had lived a life of heroic virtue and titled him Venerable. His body is now the subject of religious pilgrimages for Roman Catholic visitors around the world.
Photos by Will Feuer

St. Bonaventure Monastery (Franciscan Capuchins)

1740 Mt. Elliott Ave., Detroit
Detroit may seem an unlikely location for a Capuchin monastery, but since 1883, St. Bonaventure has been a fixture of lower East Detroit. The Monastery has been a welcome anchor of stability in a rapidly changing neighborhood. Today, the monastery is in good company, surrounded by the Gleaners Community Food Bank, the nationally acclaimed nonprofit Downtown Boxing Gym Youth Program, and the curious Seafoam Palace of Arts and Amusements.

From just across the tranquil Mt. Elliott Cemetery, on the street of the same name, the white-tipped spire of St. Bonaventure hovers over the rest of the neighborhood. Inside, one can peruse their dozen bronze statues of leaders who have shaped the fabric of the city or stroll through their eloquent reflection garden. Also inside is the interred body of Solanus Casey, who served at the Detroit convent from 1924 to 1945. In 1995, Pope John Paul II declared that Casey had lived a life of heroic virtue and titled him Venerable. His body is now the subject of religious pilgrimages for Roman Catholic visitors around the world.
Photos by Will Feuer

St. Bonaventure Monastery (Franciscan Capuchins)

1740 Mt. Elliott Ave., Detroit
Detroit may seem an unlikely location for a Capuchin monastery, but since 1883, St. Bonaventure has been a fixture of lower East Detroit. The Monastery has been a welcome anchor of stability in a rapidly changing neighborhood. Today, the monastery is in good company, surrounded by the Gleaners Community Food Bank, the nationally acclaimed nonprofit Downtown Boxing Gym Youth Program, and the curious Seafoam Palace of Arts and Amusements.

From just across the tranquil Mt. Elliott Cemetery, on the street of the same name, the white-tipped spire of St. Bonaventure hovers over the rest of the neighborhood. Inside, one can peruse their dozen bronze statues of leaders who have shaped the fabric of the city or stroll through their eloquent reflection garden. Also inside is the interred body of Solanus Casey, who served at the Detroit convent from 1924 to 1945. In 1995, Pope John Paul II declared that Casey had lived a life of heroic virtue and titled him Venerable. His body is now the subject of religious pilgrimages for Roman Catholic visitors around the world.
Photos by Will Feuer

Christ Church Detroit

960 E Jefferson Ave., Detroit
The oldest, continuously used Protestant religious site in the city of Detroit, Christ Church Detroit was founded in 1845 due to overcrowding at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul when the city had a population of just 13,000. At the turn of the 19th century, the Church canvassed their neighborhood along Woodbridge St. in search of new members and discovered a sizeable population of Syrian immigrants. The church welcomed this community and in 1914 baptized the first Syrians in their congregation, which became a defining moment in the Church’s history. Today, they are committed allies to the Syrian community of Detroit, and in 2016, along with an Episcopal parish and a Jewish congregation, they sponsored a Syrian refugee family.
Photos by Will Feuer

Christ Church Detroit

960 E Jefferson Ave., Detroit
The oldest, continuously used Protestant religious site in the city of Detroit, Christ Church Detroit was founded in 1845 due to overcrowding at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul when the city had a population of just 13,000. At the turn of the 19th century, the Church canvassed their neighborhood along Woodbridge St. in search of new members and discovered a sizeable population of Syrian immigrants. The church welcomed this community and in 1914 baptized the first Syrians in their congregation, which became a defining moment in the Church’s history. Today, they are committed allies to the Syrian community of Detroit, and in 2016, along with an Episcopal parish and a Jewish congregation, they sponsored a Syrian refugee family.
Photos by Will Feuer

Christ Church Detroit

960 E Jefferson Ave., Detroit
The oldest, continuously used Protestant religious site in the city of Detroit, Christ Church Detroit was founded in 1845 due to overcrowding at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul when the city had a population of just 13,000. At the turn of the 19th century, the Church canvassed their neighborhood along Woodbridge St. in search of new members and discovered a sizeable population of Syrian immigrants. The church welcomed this community and in 1914 baptized the first Syrians in their congregation, which became a defining moment in the Church’s history. Today, they are committed allies to the Syrian community of Detroit, and in 2016, along with an Episcopal parish and a Jewish congregation, they sponsored a Syrian refugee family.
Photos by Will Feuer

First Congregational Church of Detroit

33 East Forest Ave., Detroit
The current location of the First Congregational Church was built in 1891. Unlike the plain meeting houses typically found in New England Congregational Churches, the Detroit counterpart went for a more grand design. The Romanesque and Byzantine architecture is directly drawn from sanctuaries found in Italy’s Venice and Ravenna. When the church was housed in its prior building at Fort and Wayne Streets, the church was a well-known stop on the Underground Railroad, which provided a route for black slaves to escape to Canada. In 2001, the church decided to memorialize this part of their history with an in-house museum. In an effort to preserve the church and building, preservationists have launched an extensive project to restore the structure.
Photos by Will Feuer

First Congregational Church of Detroit

33 East Forest Ave., Detroit
The current location of the First Congregational Church was built in 1891. Unlike the plain meeting houses typically found in New England Congregational Churches, the Detroit counterpart went for a more grand design. The Romanesque and Byzantine architecture is directly drawn from sanctuaries found in Italy’s Venice and Ravenna. When the church was housed in its prior building at Fort and Wayne Streets, the church was a well-known stop on the Underground Railroad, which provided a route for black slaves to escape to Canada. In 2001, the church decided to memorialize this part of their history with an in-house museum. In an effort to preserve the church and building, preservationists have launched an extensive project to restore the structure.
Photos by Will Feuer

First Congregational Church of Detroit

33 East Forest Ave., Detroit
The current location of the First Congregational Church was built in 1891. Unlike the plain meeting houses typically found in New England Congregational Churches, the Detroit counterpart went for a more grand design. The Romanesque and Byzantine architecture is directly drawn from sanctuaries found in Italy’s Venice and Ravenna. When the church was housed in its prior building at Fort and Wayne Streets, the church was a well-known stop on the Underground Railroad, which provided a route for black slaves to escape to Canada. In 2001, the church decided to memorialize this part of their history with an in-house museum. In an effort to preserve the church and building, preservationists have launched an extensive project to restore the structure.
Photos by Will Feuer

Bethel Community Transformation Center

8801 Woodward Ave., Detroit
Designed by legendary Detroit architect Albert Kahn, The Bethel Community Transformation Center was formerly one of many synagogues throughout the city. After Temple Beth El moved to Bloomfield Hills in 1973, the historic building changed hands between several churches. Over time, however, operating and maintenance costs proved too much for owners and the building fell into disrepair. In 2014, the building was purchased by Pastor Aramis Hinds of Breakers Covenant Church International. Now, a diverse group of Jews, Christians, whites and blacks have a vision to renovate the building into a community center with a performing arts theater, fitness center and co-working space. The building will also be open as a place of worship to members of all faiths.
Photos by Will Feuer