St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church (Detroit)
Historic church in Michigan, United States
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church was a church located at 8363 and 8383 Townsend Avenue in Detroit, Michigan. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1989,[1] but was subsequently demolished.[3] and removed from the National Register of Historic Places in 2024.[2]
Detroit, Michigan
St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church and Rectory | |
Formerly listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places | |
St Thomas the Apostle, 1989 | |
 Interactive map | |
| Location | 8363-8383 Townsend Avenue Detroit, Michigan |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 42°23′24″N 83°1′28″W |
| Built | 1923 |
| Architect | Van Leyen, Schilling & Keough |
| Architectural style | Late 19th and 20th century revival |
| Demolished | January 1992 |
| NRHP reference No. | 89000785[1] |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | June 29, 1989 |
| Removed from NRHP | July 24, 2024[2] |
History
St. Thomas the Apostle Parish was a Polish-American Roman Catholic parish founded in 1914, at the eastern edge of the east side Polish neighborhoods of Detroit.[3] A church was constructed in 1923, and the parish had both a grade school and a high school.[3] The parish was one of the first to experience changes in population, as the original Polish residents began moving out in the mid-20th century. The parish was closed in 1989,[3] and the church demolished in 1993.[4]
The school currently serves as St. Thomas Assessment Center for troubled youths.[5]
Description
The parish complex at St. Thomas the Apostle comprised six buildings, including the church, rectory, school, and convent.[6]
The church was essentially of Romanesque design, with some Art Deco aspects. It was built of brick laid over Dennison interlocking tile, sitting atop a limestone base. The building was trimmed with limestone and Tuscan glazed faience in various colors.[6] The facade was a series of gable-roof blocks, roofed with Spanish tile. The primary entrance was through a central, side-gable block, sized to match the nave.[6] The entrance was recessed into the center of a projecting porch and surrounded by columned arches. A massive Eucharistic relief was set high in the center of the facade.[6] The church boasted a wealth of decorative art, including stained glass and bronze works.[6]
The rectory was a large, two-story building with a dormer-attic.[6]