All Saints Church closes, 1896-2017

On November 9, 2017, Archbishop Allen Vigneron issued two decrees. The first decree merged All Saints Parish and Saint Gabriel Parish into a new parish community that will continue to use the name Saint Gabriel. The second decree relegated All Saints Church to profane use, effective January 1, 2018. At the time of the decrees, All Saints had about 300 families while St. Gabriel had 1,000.


All Saints Church, which I previously featured in April, 2014, was formally relegated to profane use after the final Mass on Sunday, December 31, 2017. Auxiliary Bishop Donald Hanchon celebrated the Mass, assisted by many priests from across the city, including many from the Southwest Vicariate.


All Saints Parish had a large deficit each of the last six years and the church needed $160,000 in repairs. Below is a Facebook video of the last Mass.


A brief video tour of the church.


Catholic Charities of Southeast Michigan operates a soup kitchen that serves up to 200 meals a day as well as a food pantry in the lower level of the church. Both will stay open until officials can find another location nearby.  The Archdiocese plans to eventually sell the All Saints property.
 

The last pastor, Fr. Giancarlo Ghezzi, PIME, will soon become administrator of Divine Grace Parish (St. Patrick Church in Carelton and St. Joseph Church in Maybee).


For more info: The Michigan Catholic + Detroit Free Press