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 in Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan. You can find it at 157 Lake Shore Road, near Detroit. This special place includes a church built in the French Gothic style. It also has a rectory, a parish hall, a school, and a convent. These buildings show different architectural styles like Neo-Tudor and Colonial Revival. The complex was recognized as a Michigan State Historic Site in 1992. It was also added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1994.
History of Saint Paul Church
The St. Paul Roman Catholic parish was the very first Catholic church community in the Grosse Pointe area. Its story began way back in the 1790s. At that time, French Catholic priests were helping settlers who lived in this farming area. It was located along Lake St. Clair.
The first building made just for worship was a log church. It was opened in 1825 by Father Francis Badin. This log church was close to the lake, in what is now Grosse Pointe Shores. The church community officially started in 1835. Later, in 1848, a new wooden chapel replaced the log church. This chapel was built on the same spot where the current church stands today.
Architecture and Design
The main church building you see now 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.
Other important buildings were added over time. The rectory, where the priest lives, was built in 1911. The first parts of the school and convent buildings were added in 1927. These were designed by a company called Smith, Hinchman & Grylls. More parts were added to the school in 1951 and 1953. The parish house, which was originally a home for a former Detroit Mayor, was bought by the church in 1959.
The Saint Paul Catholic Church Complex is on a long piece of land. It sits between Lake Shore Road and Grosse Pointe Boulevard. The church itself is made from brick and stone. Its design is 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.
Saint Paul School
The St. Paul Church decided to open a school in 1926. The school officially welcomed its first students on September 6, 1927. Over the years, more programs were added. A kindergarten class opened in 1975, and a preschool started in 1993. Today, Saint Paul School offers classes from preschool all the way up to eighth grade. It is a private school, which means families pay tuition for students to attend.
See also
- Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Detroit
