Saint Paul Catholic Church (Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan) facts for kids
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Saint Paul Catholic Church Complex
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Designed in French Gothic Revival style.
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 Location in Michigan
Location in the United States
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| Location | 157 Lake Shore Rd., Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan |
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| Built | 1895 |
| Architect | Harry J. Rill; Smith, Hinchman & Grylls |
| Architectural style | French Gothic, Neo-Tudor, Colonial Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 94000621 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | June 17, 1994 |
The Saint Paul Catholic Church Complex is a group of historic buildings located at 157 Lake Shore Road in Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan. This special place includes a church designed in the French Gothic style, a rectory (where the priest lives), a parish hall, a school, and a convent (where nuns might live). These buildings have different cool styles like Neo-Tudor and Colonial Revival. The whole complex was recognized as a Michigan State Historic Site in 1992 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1994, meaning it's an important historical landmark!
Contents
A Look Back: History of St. Paul Church
The St. Paul Roman Catholic parish was the very first Catholic church community in the Grosse Pointe area. Its story began in the 1790s. At that time, French Catholic priests helped settlers in this farming area near Lake St. Clair.
The first building made just for worship was a log church. It was opened in 1825 by Father Francis Badin. This church was near the lake in what is now Grosse Pointe Shores. The parish officially started in 1835. In 1848, a new wooden chapel was built where the current church stands today. This replaced the old log church.
Amazing Architecture: The Buildings of St. Paul
The main church building you see today was designed by Harry J. Rill. It was finished in 1899 and cost about $23,000. The older wooden chapel was used as a parish hall until 1914, when it was taken down.
The rectory, where the priest lives, was added in 1911. The first parts of the school and convent buildings were built in 1927. These were designed by the company Smith, Hinchman & Grylls. More additions were made to the school in 1951 and 1953. The parish house, originally built around 1900 for a former Detroit Mayor named Alexander Lewis, was bought by the church in 1959.
The Saint Paul Catholic Church Complex is on a long, narrow piece of land. It sits between Lake Shore Road and Grosse Pointe Boulevard. The church is made of brick and stone. It is designed in the French Gothic Revival style, which looks like old European cathedrals. The beautiful stained glass windows were made by two different companies. Some were installed in 1901 by Fredericks & Wolfram Art Glass Company from Detroit. Others were put in during 1924 by Franz Mayer & Company from Munich, Germany.
Learning at St. Paul: The School
The St. Paul Church decided to open a school in 1926. The school officially welcomed students on September 6, 1927. Later, a kindergarten opened in 1975, and a preschool started in 1993.
Today, Saint Paul School offers classes from preschool up to eighth grade. It is a private school, which means families pay tuition for their children to attend.
See also
- Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Detroit
