Assumption Grotto

The last stop on the church tour was Assumption Grotto. The parish was founded in the 1830s and is the 2nd oldest in Detroit. The current church is the 4th and was built in 1929 at the cost of $250,000.

A feature we were unable to see due to the weather is the exact replica of the Grotto at Lourdes. (source)

In 1876, [Reverend Amandus Vandendriessche, pastor] visited Lourdes to make his devotions to Our Lady and he was so inspired that he resolved to build a replica of the Grotto of Lourdes behind the church so that his fellow Americans could worship at an outdoor shrine. Despite many obstacles, the Grotto was formally dedicated on May 29, 1881. On April 30, 1882, Pope Leo XIII signed a proclamation authorizing the shrine for devotions and granted partial and plenary indulgences for all who visited the Grotto and prayed for the propagation of the faith. This privilege remains.

An active parishioner, Diane K, keeps a blog of current Catholic events as well as photos from parish events and masses. The blog is Te Deum Laudamus. I'll be posting my own photos here, but for more of this church, see her Smugmug page.

Assumption Grotto is a parish that embraces the liturgical and musical patrimony of the Holy Roman Catholic Church. Mass is celebrated in the extraordinary form daily. Gregorian Chant and Latin are obviously given pride of place. Orchestral Masses are performed for major feasts. For Christmas 2010 the music was Mozart's Missa Longa.

Assumption Grotto is a bit less ornate than the other churches on the tour. This may be partially due to the era in which it was built - the Great Depression. It is still rather beautiful in its simplicity, and architecturally speaking it is still grand. Here is the sanctuary.


Marian side altar.


Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.


Heading out onto Gratiot.