Our Lady of the Rosary

Our Lady of the Rosary Parish began in 1889 and was originally located in the home of a parishioner. As the parish grew, a church was built next door. Eventually, the congregation outgrew that building as well. Rather than build another church, they sought to buy a pre-existing one.

The current church was completed in 1896 and was originally home to St. Joseph's Episcopal Church. It was designed by Malcomson & Higginbotham, also architects of other nearby Protestant churches as well as Wayne State's Old Main building.

The church was sold to Our Lady of the Rosary in 1907 and consecrated according to the Roman Rite.

The original altar pictured in 1921. Source

The parish's co-ed high school closed in 1950. However, the next year, it reopened as Salesian High School, an all-boys high school staffed by Oblates of St. Francis de Sales. The rectory and convent were both demolished in the 1950s to make room for I-94 and the school was later torn down as well. The altar was remodeled for the parish's 75th anniversary in 1964.

Fr. Robert Morand, who served as pastor for more than two decades, passed away on St. Patrick's Day last year. Msgr. Michael LeFevre is the current administrator in addition to his roles as Vicar for the Genesis Vicariate, pastor of St. Moses the Black and rector of Blessed Sacrament Cathedral.

Shrines dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary and St. Joseph, respectively.

St. Dominic and St. Francis de Sales stand nearby.

Windows in the nave show depictions of saints, often with companions next to each other. St. Patrick and St. Brigid of Kildare; St Clare and St. Francis of Assisi.

More saints are shown in the clerestory above the altar.

Windows in the north transept depict scenes from the Gospel.

Saturday Vigil Mass is 5:15pm and Sunday Mass is 10:00am.

Additional info: more photos, 1941 yearbook from the high school, history of the church, parish website, Facebook