Friday, April 07, 2017

St. John Neumann Church (Canton)

Exterior of the church, as seen from Warren Road - Source

St. John Neumann Parish was established in 1977, with Msgr. Ed Baldwin as founding pastor, and the church was built the following year. The namesake of the parish, Bishop of Philadelphia during the 1850s, was beatified in 1963 and canonized in 1977.
 

The church went through a massive renovation last fall in preparation for its 40th anniversary. New pews and kneelers replaced chairs in the nave, tile flooring replaced carpet, the tabernacle was moved from a chapel to the sanctuary, a wooden altar and lectern were replaced by those made from marble.
The sanctuary as it as appeared before  recent renovations - Source

Wood paneling was added to the walls of the sanctuary. A large, hanging crucifix was also added along with elevated statues of St. Joseph and the Blessed Virgin Mary.

On December 10, 2016, Archbishop Vigneron rededicated the church, consecrated the new altar, and celebrated the first Mass after the renovations.
St. John Neumann's coat of arms is displayed in the vestibule floor, the motto translates as "Passion of Christ, strengthen me".

A display case shows first-class and second-class relics of the namesake saint, including a zucchetto, a chalice, paten, prayer book, and more.

Stained-glass windows were later added after the church was rededicated, within the last four months. St. Joseph and Child Jesus on the left side, Seat of Wisdom on the right side.


In the weekday chapel, backlit windows depict Abraham, Moses, as well as the four evangelists. 

St. Theresa of Avila, St. Jude, and St. Anne in chapel windows.

Stations of the Cross line the back wall of the church.
 

St. John Neumann stands at the back of the nave; Madonna and Child in a shrine.
 

Daily Mass is at 9:00am, Monday–Friday, in the chapel. Saturday Vigil Mass is at 4:30pm, preceded  by Reconciliation at 3:30pm. Sunday Masses are at 8:30am, 10:30am, 12:30pm, and 6:00pm

For more info: parish website
Photos from before the renovation: AOD Film Services
Another blog post: Discovering Detroit Catholic Churches
Article from last year: The Michigan Catholic

1 comment:

Unknown said...

I am extremely disappointed in the renovations. Our church building was so modern and beautiful in it's simplicity. Now it's so hard to hear the readings or the priest. The kneelers make it hard for senior citizens who just can't kneel. Truth he told, I am disappointed with all the changes made since Ron Richards became pastor. It has become an "I" want parish and not a Parish concerned with the whole.