Sacred Heart Church (Detroit) facts for kids
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Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, Convent and Rectory
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The front of Sacred Heart Church
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| Location | 1000 Eliot Street Detroit, Michigan |
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| Built | 1875 |
| Architect | Peter J. Diederichs |
| Architectural style | Italianate, Romanesque Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 80001926 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | June 6, 1980 |
The Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, Convent and Rectory is a historic church complex in Detroit, Michigan. A rectory is a house for the church's priest, and a convent is a home for nuns. This important site was named a Michigan State Historic Site in 1975. It was also added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980, which lists places considered important to American history.
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History of the Church
The story of Sacred Heart Church shows how neighborhoods in Detroit have changed over time. The church was built in 1875 and has served two different communities.
A German Beginning
Sacred Heart was the third church built for German-speaking Catholics in Detroit. In the 1800s, many immigrants from Germany moved to the city. The church was a center for their community. It even had its own schools for elementary and high school students. For many years, it was mainly a German parish, which is the community of people who attend a specific church.
A New Community
After World War I, Detroit's population began to change. Many African American families moved from the southern United States to northern cities like Detroit. As they settled in the area around Sacred Heart, many of the German families moved to other parts of the city.
In 1911, a group of Black Catholic residents started their own small church. Their community grew quickly. By the late 1930s, they needed a larger space. They asked to move into the nearby Sacred Heart Church, which had a large building and a school.
In 1938, Sacred Heart officially changed from a German parish to an African American parish. The new community had about 1,500 members. They made good use of the school, and the first high school class graduated in 1945.
Changes in the Neighborhood
After World War II, the city of Detroit changed again. The I-75 freeway was built right through the neighborhood. This caused many families to move away. Because of these changes, the high school closed in 1957, and the elementary school closed eight years later.
Even with all these changes, Sacred Heart Church has remained open. It continues to be an active church and holds weekly services for its community.
Architectural Style
Sacred Heart Church is a beautiful building made of red brick. It was designed in the Italianate style, which was popular in the 1800s and copied designs from Italy. This style gives the church a grand and formal look.
The tall belfry (the tower where bells are kept) and spire are painted a cream color. This makes a nice contrast with the deep red brick of the walls. Along the sides of the church are six large bays, each with two-story windows that let in a lot of light. A seventh bay at the back of the church holds the sacristy, a room where important items for church services are stored.
See also
In Spanish: Iglesia del Sagrado Corazón (Detroit) para niños
- Archdiocese of Detroit
