Holy Family, Inkster (closed)

Holy Family Parish was established in 1945 with Fr. Charles J. Diehl, a Spiritan priest, as founding pastor.

A church was soon built on Annapolis St., on the southern edge of Inkster, and across the from southeastern corner of Westland.

Like many churches built at the time, Holy Family was designed in a mid-century modern style.

Two more parishes were eventually established in Inkster. St. Norbert was consecrated in 1951 and St. Kevin in 1957. These two parishes merged in 1990 to form SS. Kevin and Norbert Parish. That parish then closed in 2004.

The former St. Norbert Church and School still stand off of Inkster Rd., south of Cherry Hill.

Tall, narrow, rectangular windows covered the ball wall of Holy Family Church.

A side altar to the Blessed Virgin Mary; St. Martin de Porres stands nearby.

A side altar to St. Joseph surrounded by smaller statues of the Holy Family; the baptismal font stood next to the altar.

In 2011, during the Together in Faith process, it was stated that "Holy Family is aware that its facilities are in need of a new roof, of repairs to the foundation, parking lot and boiler.  They have no funds for these repairs."

For the last few years, priests of St. Mary Parish in Wayne ministered at Holy Family. Even though they had only one weekly Mass, the parish maintained an active food pantry and community outreach.

On May 9, 2018, Archbishop Vigneron issued a decree, according to Canon Law, that closed Holy Family Parish. The decree was displayed in the vestibule, warning that the church was scheduled to close and why it was closing.

One of the reason's that the Archbishop cited for the closure is that population within the parish territory has dropped by 50% in the last 16 years. St. Mary Parish in Wayne will take over the territory, assets, and responsibilities of Holy Family Family Parish. 

Bishop Walter Hurley, retired Bishop of Grand Rapids, celebrated the last Mass on June 3, 2018. Parish operations officially ceased on June 11, 2018.

For more info: Facebook & Together in Faith
More photos of Holy Family: AOD Film Services
More about St. Norbert: St. Norbert alumni