“A masterpiece of brick and limestone” That’s how many describe St Josaphat Roman Catholic Church. Right here before you stands a testament to Detroit’s rich Polish heritage. This magnificent church wasn’t built overnight.
St Josaphat Roman Catholic Church opened in 1901. It served a rapidly growing Polish community. The community had outgrown its previous church St Albertus. The church’s namesake St Josaphat Kuntsevych was a Greek Catholic priest. He became archbishop of Polotsk Poland now Belarus. He was martyred in 1623 and canonized in 1867. The choice of name reflects the strong Polish identity of the congregation. The original St Josaphat church was a much smaller building. It combined church and school. This building proved insufficient for the expanding congregation. Father Razadkowski led the fundraising for the current church. He oversaw its construction along with a rectory and janitor’s home. A school followed in the 1920s.
Imagine the scene in 1901. The Jermolowicz Brothers and local carpenters completed the building. It is a stunning example of Victorian Romanesque Revival and Gothic Revival styles. The architects Joseph G Kastler and William E N Hunter created a structure both grand and enduring. Red and orange brick form the exterior. Bedford Indiana buff limestone adds exquisite detailing. The 200-foot-tall main steeple dominated the Detroit skyline. Two side steeples added to its imposing presence. Inside five altars await. The main altar features a painting of St Josaphat. Side altars are dedicated to the Virgin Mary St Joseph Saints Anthony of Padua and Francis of Assisi. The interior boasts white oak woodwork and numerous murals. The stained-glass windows created by the Detroit Stained Glass Works depict Mary Joseph and the twelve apostles.
The church thrived for decades. It served as a center of Polish-American life in Detroit. However times changed. By 1960 the Polish community had spread to the suburbs. Church membership declined. The school closed and was demolished. St Josaphat faced challenges maintaining the aging building. But the parish persevered. A building rehabilitation program ensured the church’s survival. It continues to serve the community although its Polish focus has lessened. It even hosted the Archdiocese of Detroit’s first regular Tridentine Latin Mass celebrations. This lasted until 2016.
In 2013 a winter storm damaged the main spire. Sadly the church lacked the funds for repairs. The spire was demolished and replaced with a smaller roof. St Josaphat continues to stand as a reminder of the immigrant experience and a symbol of faith resilience in Detroit’s ever-changing landscape. It remains a significant landmark. Its architectural beauty and historical significance are still impressive. St Josaphat remains a beacon of hope and heritage.