Sparkling mosaics frame the doorway of St John Paul II Parish. They catch the sunlight. Welcome to St John Paul II Parish in Detroit. This isn’t just a church. It’s a testament to faith, community, and transformation.
St John Paul II Parish started as Transfiguration Parish in 1925. Polish immigrants needed a church where they could worship in their language. A small frame church was built quickly.
In 1926, the cornerstone was laid for a new church and school. Garstecki & Waier designed them. The school opened fast and had over 700 students in its first year. A rectory followed in 1927 and a convent in 1929.
The parish grew in the 1930s and 1940s. By 1946, the school building was too small for church services and school. A new church was planned. Construction began in 1948. Narcyz Kostrzanowski designed it. The Arthur O. Misch Company built it. A new rectory appeared in 1952. An activities building was added in 1961.
The 1960s brought change. The parish started to shrink. The school closed in 2005. It was leased to a charter school until 2014. In 2012, other local parishes merged with Transfiguration. The parish was renamed Blessed John Paul II. When Pope John Paul II became a saint in 2014, the parish became Saint John Paul II.
In 2021, the old school building began its transformation into 19 affordable housing units.
The Church of the Transfiguration Historic District has six buildings. They include the church and a shrine with a grotto. There is also the school, convent, rectory, and activities building. All stand close together in a one-and-a-half-block area.
The church building showcases Italian Renaissance style. Multi-tonal bricks form the walls. Limestone trim adds elegance. A red clay tile roof completes the look. The facade features a three-story gable front. A five-story bell tower rises on one side. Limestone steps lead to a two-story portico. Mosaic tiles decorate it. A large rose window sits above the portico.
The school has a rectangular shape. It is a two-story brick building. The building features a flat roof. A raised brick basement has a stone beltcourse. The shrine is small and surrounded by a wrought iron fence. Brick pillars mark the corners. The convent is a rectangular, two-story brick building. It has an off-center brick porch. The rectory is a two-story brick building with a hip roof. The activities building is modern. It has one-story and two-story sections.
Organizational changes haven’t altered Transfiguration Church’s appearance much. A gorgeous grotto stands across the street. Detailed mosaics decorate the church inside and out. Countless colorful tiles frame the exterior doorway.
Even more tiles cover the interior walls. Beautiful chandeliers illuminate the side aisles. Light reflects off the metallic tiles. Large murals decorate the transepts and doorways.
Today, St John Paul II Parish continues to serve. It offers masses in both English and Polish. It is a place where tradition and community intertwine.