Historic Downtown church celebrates 150th year

St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Detroit has weathered it all.

Since its inception in 1855, the church, located just north of Eastern Market, “has survived the Civil War, two World Wars, the 1960s counterculture movement, a riot and depopulation,” says Craig Larsen, parish council member.

A mass at 4 p.m. Oct. 29 will kick off the parish’s 150th-year celebration.

The parish was founded to serve German immigrants coming to Detroit, and served as an anchor to what was then called German Town. As Germans tried to lay low during World War II, part of that area emerged into what we know as Greektown.

The church still serves the city’s German-speaking community. “St. Joseph’s is the only parish to in the area to offer masses in German and among the few to offer Latin masses,” says William Worden, parish music director.

The church stands some 85 feet tall, with a tower extending 200 feet. The central window is the signature of Franz Mayer and Co. of Munich, the famous stained-glass makers. Dating back to 1873, they are the oldest known Mayer glass in America.

The peal of six bells includes a 5,000-pound bell, said to be the largest swinging bell in the United States. The parish is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The church is located at 1828 Jay St. in Detroit, off the east side of Gratiot.

For more information, go to www.saint-joseph-detroit.org.

Sources: Craig Larsen, parish council member, William Worden, music director