St. Josaphat Roman Catholic Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St. Josaphat Roman Catholic Church |
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| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Roman Catholic |
| Leadership | Fr. Gregory Tokarski |
| Year consecrated | 1901 |
| Location | |
| Location | 715 East Canfield Street Detroit, Michigan |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Joseph G. Kastler, William E. N. Hunter |
| Architectural type | church |
| Architectural style | Romanesque Revival, Gothic Revival |
| Completed | 1901 |
| Specifications | |
| Capacity | 1,100 |
| Length | 132 feet (40 m) |
| Width | 56 feet (17 m) |
| Height (max) | 200 feet (61 m) |
| Materials | brick, limestone |
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St. Josaphat Roman Catholic Church
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| Built | 1901 |
| NRHP reference No. | 82000555 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | December 8, 1982 |
St. Josaphat Roman Catholic Church is a beautiful church in Detroit, Michigan. You can find it at 715 East Canfield Street. This church is a Roman Catholic place of worship.
It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. This means it's an important historical building. In 1985, it was also named a Michigan State Historic Site. Since 2013, St. Josaphat has been part of a larger group called Mother of Divine Mercy Parish.
Contents
History of St. Josaphat Church
Why Was the Church Built?
In 1889, many Polish families lived in Detroit. The local church, St. Albertus Roman Catholic Church, became too small for everyone. So, on June 1, 1889, a new church community was started. It was named St. Josaphat.
The church is named after St. Josaphat Kuntsevych. He was a Greek Catholic priest. He became an archbishop in Poland (now Belarus) in 1617. He was killed in 1623 and later became a saint in 1867. St. Josaphat Church was built just 22 years after he became a saint.
Early Days and Growth
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The first building for St. Josaphat was opened on February 2, 1890. It was a special building that served as both a church and a school.
Over the next ten years, the church grew a lot. More than 1,000 families joined! Father Razadkowski was the leader at that time. He helped raise money to build the church you see today. The current church opened in 1901. A rectory (where the priest lives) and a janitor's home were also built. A school building was added in the 1920s.
Changes Over the Years
By 1960, many Polish families had moved away from the city. The church's school closed down and was taken apart. St. Josaphat faced challenges with fewer members and an old building. However, the church started a project to fix up the building. It still serves the Polish community today.
From 2004 to 2016, St. Josaphat Church was a special place. It was one of the few churches in Detroit to regularly hold the Tridentine Latin Mass. This is an older form of the Catholic Mass.
Architecture of the Church
How the Church Was Designed
The church has a unique style. It mixes Victorian Romanesque Revival and Gothic Revival designs. Joseph G. Kastler and William E. N. Hunter were the architects who designed it. The Jermolowicz Brothers and local carpenters built the church.
The church is about 132 feet (40 m) long and 56 feet (17 m) wide. The ceiling inside is 65-foot (20 m) high. It can seat up to 1,100 people! The tallest steeple reaches 200 feet (61 m) into the sky. There are also two smaller steeples, each 100 feet tall. The outside of the church is made of red and orange brick. It has beautiful trim made from Bedford Indiana buff limestone. The colorful stained glass windows show Mary, Joseph, and the twelve apostles. These windows were made by the Detroit Stained Glass Works.
Inside the Church
The inside of the church is just as impressive. It has five altars. The main altar features a painting of St. Josaphat. He is shown wearing the special clothes of an Eastern Rite bishop. Other altars are dedicated to the Virgin Mary and St. Joseph. In another part of the church, you'll find altars for Saints Anthony of Padua and Francis of Assisi. The beautiful wooden parts of the church are made from white oak. There are also many murals (large paintings) on the walls.
Current Information and Recognition
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St. Josaphat Church is recognized as an important historical building. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. The city of Detroit also recognized its history in 1983. In 1985, the state of Michigan named it a Michigan State Historic Site.
On June 19, 2013, a new parish was created. It was called Mother of Divine Mercy Parish. St. Josaphat Church became part of this new group. It joined with Sweetest Heart of Mary and St. Joseph churches. Later, in October 2016, St. Joseph Church became its own separate place, St. Joseph Oratory.
Since July 1, 2013, Father Gregory Tokarski has been the pastor of the parish.
In November 2013, the main spire of the church was damaged during a winter storm. The church community did not have enough money to fix it. So, on November 19, 2013, they announced that the spire would be taken down. A smaller roof would be put in its place.
See also
- Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Detroit
