Holy Redeemer Church

Gazing up at the Romanesque facade of Holy Redeemer Church, one might hear whispers of its rich past. Holy Redeemer Church stands proudly on Junction Street in Southwest Detroit. It has witnessed the ebb and flow of Detroit’s history since its founding in 1880 by Father Aegidius Smulders, a former chaplain in the Confederate army. Holy Redeemer Church initially served a predominantly Irish immigrant community, many of whom worked in the nearby tobacco factories. Early services were held in unconventional locations. First, above Patrick Ratigan’s general store and later in what was known as Paddy McMahon’s Saloon, with services on the first floor and priests residing on the second. The first dedicated church building, a simple wood-frame structure known as the “Little Church on Sand Hill,” arrived in 1881. A larger Gothic-style church followed in 1896. As demographics shifted and Irish and German residents moved to the suburbs, a new community emerged. People of Latin American descent from Corktown began to fill the pews. By 1960, reflecting this change, Holy Redeemer Church added a Spanish mass. The current structure, completed in 1921 and dedicated in 1923, is a testament to the church’s enduring presence. Designed by Donaldson and Meier, the Roman basilica-style building with its Romanesque facade can seat approximately 1,400 people. A few years later, a campanile was added to honor parishioners lost in World War I. Inside, the artistry continues. Stained glass windows by Charles Jay Connick depict parables and miracles of Jesus. The clerestory windows, crafted by the Detroit Stained Glass Works, bathe the space in light. Underfoot, Pewabic mosaic floor tiles by Mary Chase Perry Stratton add a touch of elegance. Holy Redeemer Church remains a vital part of the community. It houses an elementary school and, until recently, Detroit Cristo Rey High School, which occupied the former Holy Redeemer High School building. Holy Redeemer Church, dominating the West Vernor-Junction intersection, has even graced the silver screen, appearing in the 1987 film “The Rosary Murders.” It stands as a reminder of the ever-changing landscape of Detroit and the enduring power of faith and community.