“Did you know that St Rose of Lima Parish’s first church was actually a repurposed Universalist Church?” I ask my tour group. We stand before the magnificent St Rose Church a testament to faith and resilience. This beautiful building in Detroit is the second church to serve this parish. The original was on the corner of Front and Elm Streets. It was purchased in 1861. Father Seraphim Bauer pastor of St Joseph Parish in Maumee led the effort. His mother a Spanish woman named Rose inspired the parish’s patron saint Saint Rose of Lima the first canonized saint of the Western Hemisphere.
Father Charles Griss became St Rose’s first resident pastor in 1863. Just two years later he purchased the current church property. St Rose School opened on this site in 1867. A cemetery was also established on Indiana Avenue that same year. The parish grew quickly. The original church soon proved too small.
In 1889 construction began on the stunning Sandusky blue-stone church we see today. Parishioners hauled the foundation stones from Lime City a testament to their dedication. The cornerstone was laid in 1889. The church was dedicated on May 28 1893. It’s a prime example of Victorian Gothic Revival architecture. John Burkhart a stone and brick specialist designed and built it. While renowned architect Adolphus Druiding had created elaborate Gothic Revival plans they were rejected. Burkhart’s design may have been subtly influenced by Druiding’s work.
The church boasts a remarkable pipe organ. Built by Garret House of Buffalo New York in 1873 it was originally in the first St Rose church. It was moved and refurbished in 1975-76. The church tower holds three bells cast by the Stuckstede Company of St Louis. They are named Rose Mary and Joseph. The church has undergone numerous renovations. The last major one was in 1998. Air conditioning was added in 2004.
St Rose of Lima Parish is a vibrant community with over 7700 members. Its history reflects the enduring spirit of faith in Detroit. Its beautiful building stands as a symbol of this rich heritage. The legacy of Saint Rose of Lima continues to inspire. Let us take a moment to reflect on the dedication and perseverance that built this magnificent church.