Saints Peter and Paul Jesuit Church Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Significant dates

Saints Peter and Paul Church
U.S. National Register of Historic Places

Church in 2008
Location	629 East Jefferson Avenue Detroit, Michigan
Built	1848
Architect	Francis Letouneau, Peter Kindenkins
Architectural style	Romanesque Revival
NRHP reference No.	71000431
Added to NRHP	September 03, 1971

Saints Peter and Paul Jesuit Church is a historic Roman Catholic church in Detroit, Michigan. You can find it at 629 East Jefferson Avenue. It's special because it's the oldest church still standing in Detroit! In 1971, it was recognized as an important historical place both nationally and in Michigan.

A Look at Its History
What the Church Looks Like
- Outside the Church
- Inside the Church
Gallery
See also

A Look at Its History

Building the Church

Construction on Saints Peter and Paul Church began in 1844. Bishop Peter Paul Lefevere started the project. He was a special helper bishop for the Detroit area. The first stone was laid on June 29, 1844.

Francis Letourneau designed the church. Peter Kindenkens watched over the building work. The church took four years to build. Bishop Lefevere paid for each part of the construction with cash.

Becoming a Cathedral

The church was officially opened on June 29, 1848. It became the main church, or "cathedral," for the Detroit area. Most of the first church members were from Ireland. Some French families also attended.

A New Purpose

After Bishop Lefevere passed away, Caspar Borgess became the new Bishop of Detroit. The church stayed a cathedral until 1877. Then, Bishop Borgess gave the church to the Jesuit Order. The Jesuits are a group of Catholic priests.

His plan was to start Detroit's first Catholic college. The church then became known as SS. Peter & Paul Jesuit Church. The college eventually grew into the University of Detroit-Mercy. Today, the university's law school is still next to the church.

Changes Over Time

The church has been changed and updated several times. It was altered in 1879 and 1882. A big renovation happened in 1892. It was remodeled again in 1911. A small chapel was added to the back in 1918. Even with these changes, the church's original design is still mostly there. The church is still used today for Sunday and some weekday services.

What the Church Looks Like

Outside the Church

Saints Peter and Paul Church is made of common Detroit brick. It has three main sections inside, called "aisles." The front of the church has a pointed roof. On top of the roof is a short, square bell tower. The tower was meant to have a tall, pointy spire, but it was never built.

In the middle of the front, there's a main entrance. It's placed between arched windows. Tall, decorative columns, called "pilasters," are on the sides. These pilasters continue along the church's sides. They divide the side into seven sections, each with tall, rounded arch windows. A thick, decorative band runs along the top of the walls.

Inside the Church

The inside of the church is very beautiful. It has confession booths made of hand-carved oak wood. The ceiling is curved like a barrel. It is painted with pictures of the apostles.

There is also an amazing altar made of Carrara marble. This altar was designed by Gustav Adolph Mueller. It features a carving of the crucifixion by Joseph Sibbel. These beautiful details were added during later updates. Only the organ case is an original part of the church's first design.