Come. Let us adore Him. These words, inscribed on the high altar, invite us into the heart of Nativity of Our Lord Church.
Nativity of Our Lord Church has stood as a beacon of faith and community in Detroit since its founding in 1911. Bishop John Foley appointed Father Frederick Heidenreich to establish a parish on Detroit’s east side. This marked the beginning of a story filled with dedication and growth.
Initially, the church found its home in the abandoned Gratiot School. This humble start on Harper, across from the Gratiot Streetcar Barn, quickly evolved. The first rectory was a converted barn on Cooper Street.
In November 1912, construction began on a parish school with a basement church on McClellan near Gratiot. For a time, services were held at both the Gratiot School and the new school basement.
By 1914, the school opened its doors to 400 students. Six Dominican Sisters from Racine and one lay teacher formed the teaching staff. A convent was completed near the school in 1916. Before this, the sisters resided on the school’s third floor.
Construction on the present rectory began in 1921 and finished in 1922. The permanent church structure was planned for years. Sufficient funds were finally raised to break ground in September 1924. Parishioners had to raise an additional $50000 by year’s end. The cornerstone was laid on Easter Sunday in 1925.
The F.H. Goddard Co. oversaw the church construction. This company built many prominent buildings. Van Leyen, Schilling & Keough were the contracted architects. The church’s design is Renaissance Revival. Its exterior features brick and stone. A recessed portico with arched pediment is supported by stone columns. A rose window dominates the facade. A campanile tower stands to the south. An enclosed colonnaded corridor connects the rectory to the church.
The first Mass at Nativity of Our Lord Church was celebrated on Christmas Day in 1926, even before construction was complete. By the end of 1928, the interior was finished. Altars, a terrazzo floor in the sanctuary, wainscoting, pews, and confessionals were installed. The aisles feature Pewabic Pottery tiles from Detroit. A Moeller organ with 1400 pipes was installed in 1931. The glass mosaic Stations of the Cross were set in place in 1935.
The stained-glass windows, created by Conrad Schmitt Studios, were installed around 1936. The finished church could seat 1200 people. A marble altar rail replaced the painted wood one in the 1950s. Changes from the Second Vatican Council in the mid-1960s led to the removal of the carved wooden pulpit. The sanctuary was extended and a smaller altar replaced the high altar. The current seating capacity is under 600.
Renovations and repairs have been ongoing since the early 1990s. An elevator was installed in 1994, creating barrier-free access. After St. Stanislaus Church closed in 1989, Nativity received its altar. This marble structure fit Nativity’s scale.
New carpet was laid. Pews were re-varnished. Floors were tiled. The goal is to honor and restore the church’s original beauty. Nativity of Our Lord celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2011.
As you stand here, take a moment to appreciate the beauty and history of Nativity of Our Lord Church. It is a testament to the enduring faith and commitment of the Detroit community.