Built 1923 Opened 1923 Added to NRHP 29 June 1989 | NRHP Reference # 89000785 Demolished 1994 | |
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Location 8363-8383 Townsend Avenue
Detroit, Michigan Architect Van Leyen, Schilling & Keough Architectural style Late 19th and 20th century revival Similar St Boniface Roman C, St Theresa of Avila Roman C, St Catherine of Siena, St Stanislaus Bishop a, Chapel of St Theresa | ||
St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church was a church located at 8363 and 8383 Townsend Avenue in Detroit, Michigan. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1989, but was subsequently demolished.
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History
St. Thomas the Apostle Parish was a Polish-American Roman Catholic parish founded in 1914, at the eastern edge of the east side Polish neighborhoods of Detroit. A church was constructed in 1923, and the parish had both a grade school and a high school. The parish was one of the first to experience changes in population, as the original Polish residents began moving out in the mid-20th century. The parish was closed in 1989, and the church demolished soon after.
The school currently serves as St. Thomas Assessment Center for troubled youths.
Description
The parish complex at St. Thomas the Apostle comprised six buildings, including the church, rectory, school, and convent.
The church was essentially of Romanesque design, with some Art Deco aspects. It was built of brick laid over Dennison interlocking tile, sitting atop a limestone base. The building was trimmed with limestone and Tuscan glazed faience in various colors. The facade was a series of gable-roof blocks, roofed with Spanish tile. The primary entrance was through a central, side-gable block, sized to match the nave. The entrance was recessed into the center of a projecting porch and surrounded by columned arches. A massive Eucharistic relief was set high in the center of the facade. The church boasted a wealth of decorative art, including stained glass and bronze works.
The rectory was a large, two-story building with a dormer-attic.