“The first Black Episcopal church on this side of town” That’s how Carl Hardin described St Cyprian’s Episcopal Church. He’s a local historian. He remembers a vibrant community. Stores and restaurants lined the streets. St Cyprian’s was a central part of this community. It was more than just a church. It was a place of worship a place of learning a place of fellowship.
Reverend Canon Malcolm Dade led St Cyprian’s for many years. The church sadly closed in September 2021. Bishop Bonnie Perry conducted the closing ceremony. Palm Sunday teas and social clubs ended. A void was left in the neighborhood. Hardin expressed disappointment. He felt there were other options. Combining congregations could have been explored.
St Cyprian’s roots trace back to St Matthew’s Episcopal Church. Also known as Mattie Joes on the city’s east side. Established in 1846 by Reverend William Monroe. Members established St Cyprian’s in the 1920s. White churches objected to Black parishioners. St Matthew’s ensured everyone had a place of worship. Education service and faith combined for success. St Cyprian’s always provided solace for the community.
Many families have deep ties to St Cyprian’s. Baptism confirmations family members on the vestry. Generations of memories were made within its walls. For many St Cyprian’s was their home church. Lawrence Price hoped to be buried there. His family is interred in the church’s grounds. He found comfort in All Saints. A third Black Episcopal church near Detroit’s Avenue of Fashion. Father Anthony Estes is the rector of both All Saints and Mattie Joes. The loss of St Cyprian’s was deeply felt.
But the story doesn’t end there. Rashard Dobbins now owns St Cyprian’s. Class Act Detroit plans to transform it into a community center. A house of hip-hop designed to empower young people. It will be a safe space fostering aspirations and self-actualization. The church will continue to serve the community. This time it will support a new generation. Dobbins emphasizes preserving the church’s foundation and artifacts. He hopes to upcycle and recycle. He sees this as a true community effort. St Cyprian’s continues to evolve. Its legacy endures in its transformation.