About Basilica of Ste. Anne de Detroit · Detroit, Michigan
The Basilica of Ste. Anne de Detroit is a Catholic parish and minor basilica in Southwest Detroit, Michigan, founded on July 26, 1701 by French colonists of New France — making it the second-oldest continuously operating Roman Catholic parish in the United States. The current Gothic Revival church was built in 1886–1887 and is the eighth structure to house the parish, incorporating relics and furnishings from the earlier 1818 'Stone Church,' including the oldest stained glass in the city of Detroit. Designated the official Archdiocesan Shrine of Ste. Anne in 2017 and elevated to a minor basilica by Pope Francis on March 1, 2020 (the 86th such designation in the U.S. and only the third in Michigan), it serves a vibrant, predominantly Hispanic, bilingual (English/Spanish) community in the Hubbard-Richard neighborhood near the Ambassador Bridge.
- Established
- 1701
- Patron
- Saint Anne (mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary, grandmother of Jesus; patroness of New France, of the Archdiocese of Detroit, and of the parish)
- Rector
- Msgr. Charles (Chuck) Kosanke
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Detroit
Why belong here
Ste. Anne offers a rare combination of historic depth and living, multicultural parish life: as the second-oldest continuously operating Catholic parish in the United States (founded 1701) and a designated Archdiocesan Shrine and minor basilica, it draws pilgrims from across the region for its annual nine-day Novena (July 17–26) and Feast Day celebration, with daily Masses honoring the Hispanic, Irish, French, Italian, Polish, Chaldean, Albanian and other cultural communities of Detroit. The parish is bilingual (English and Spanish), with parallel Mass schedules, Spanish-language marriage encounter, Hispanic youth groups, a Hispanic choir tradition, and ministries such as Amigas de Jesús, Cofradía Guadalupana, Barrios Transformados en Cristo (addiction recovery), St. Joseph of Arimathea (bereavement), and the Anacleto Rodriguez Knights of Columbus council. The tomb of Fr. Gabriel Richard, the parish's 18th-century treasures, and a first-class relic of Ste. Anne from the Basilica of Ste. Anne in Paris make it a spiritual anchor for anyone seeking authentic Catholic heritage in Detroit.
Mass times at Basilica of Ste. Anne de Detroit
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Thursday 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm (English / Spanish), in the chapel at 2630 W. Lafayette Blvd.
Adoration times
- Wednesday 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm (following the 7:00 pm Spanish Mass), in the chapel
- Thursday 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm, in the chapel
- First Tuesday and First Thursday of each month: Healing Mass in the chapel
Parish History
Ste. Anne de Detroit was founded on July 26, 1701 by French colonists of New France — just two days after Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac landed at the Detroit River. It is the second-oldest continuously operating Catholic parish in the United States. The parish has occupied eight successive buildings; the present Gothic Revival church was built in 1886–1887. It served as the cathedral of the Diocese of Detroit from 1833 to 1848, was elevated to Archdiocesan Shrine status in 2017, and to minor basilica status by Pope Francis in 2020.
- Founded July 26, 1701 — feast of Saint Anne
- Oldest parish records: February 2, 1704 (baptism of Marie Thérèse Cadillac)
- Fr. Gabriel Richard, pastor 1798–1832 (founded The Observer, co-founded the University of Michigan, served in U.S. Congress)
- Cathedral of the Diocese of Detroit, 1833–1848
- Basilian Fathers of Toronto served the parish 1886–2012 (125 years)
- Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, June 3, 1976
- Named Archdiocesan Shrine of Ste. Anne, April 19, 2017
- Named minor basilica by Pope Francis, March 1, 2020
- 325th anniversary being celebrated in 2026
Basilica & Shrine Designation
On March 1, 2020, Pope Francis named Ste. Anne a minor basilica — the 86th in the United States and third in Michigan — through a decree announced by Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron. The title denotes particular importance in liturgical and pastoral life and a closer relationship with the pope. Three years earlier, on April 19, 2017, Archbishop Vigneron had decreed the parish the official Archdiocesan Shrine of Ste. Anne; in 2011, Pope Benedict XVI had named Saint Anne patroness of the Archdiocese of Detroit. The 'Shrine' references a side altar at the southeast corner of the basilica, displaying a first-class relic from Ste. Anne d'Auray in France in front of a statue of Ste. Anne with the teenage Mary.
- Minor basilica (2020) — 86th in the U.S., third in Michigan
- Official Archdiocesan Shrine of Ste. Anne (2017)
- Ste. Anne declared patroness of the Archdiocese of Detroit by Pope Benedict XVI (Feb. 22, 2011)
- First-class relic from the ancient shrine of Ste. Anne d'Auray, France
- Statue of Ste. Anne with the teenage Mary from the 1828 church
Architecture & Sacred Treasures
The current church was designed by Albert E. French in 1886–1887 in the French Gothic Revival style, with Leon Cocquard credited as draftsman. It features a cruciform plan, twin spires, flying buttresses, four gargoyles at the main north entrance, and a grand brick plaza. Many artifacts from the 1818 Stone Church were transferred to the present building, including the main altar, communion rail, 'Beaubien Bell,' cornerstone, statue of Ste. Anne with Mary, and the grisaille windows — the oldest stained glass in Detroit. A Casavant pipe organ (1941) retains the original 1886–87 case and much pipework. The parish is on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP #76001040).
- Architect: Albert E. French; draftsman Leon Cocquard
- Style: French Gothic Revival with flying buttresses and twin spires
- Oldest stained glass in Detroit (grisaille windows from the 1818 church)
- Casavant organ (1941) with original 1886–87 case
- Side chapel with 1818 altar and tomb of Fr. Gabriel Richard
Novena & Feast of Ste. Anne
The annual Novena to Ste. Anne (July 17–26) is a decades-old tradition of nine days of prayer including daily Mass, with each day honoring a different ethnic community important to Detroit — Hispanic, Irish, French, Italian, Polish, Asian, Chaldean, Albanian, and a traditional Latin Mass day. The novena dates back to the building of the current church in 1886; a relic of Ste. Anne from the Basilica in Paris was acquired during this surge of devotion. The Novena culminates on July 26 in the Feast of Ste. Anne, traditionally celebrated by the Archbishop of Detroit, with veneration of the relic and a healing service. In 2026 the parish celebrates the 325th anniversary of its founding on this same feast day.
- Novena: July 17–26 each year (nine days of Mass and prayer)
- Each day honors a different ethnic community of Detroit
- Relic of Ste. Anne from the Basilica in Paris venerated after Mass
- Feast Day Mass traditionally celebrated by the Archbishop of Detroit
- 325th anniversary of the parish being celebrated July 26, 2026
Parish Staff
The parish is led by Pastor and Rector Msgr. Charles (Chuck) Kosanke, who also serves as pastor of sister parish Most Holy Trinity in Corktown, moderator of the Southwest Detroit Family of Parishes, and regional moderator of the Central Region of the Archdiocese of Detroit. Fr. Zaid Chabaan serves as Associate Pastor. Two permanent deacons — Deacon Aaron Poyer (since 2023) and Deacon Ken Fry (since 2017) — assist with liturgy and parish life. The lay staff includes a Director of Music, Coordinator of Faith Formation and Worship, Director of Communications, Event Coordinator, Business Manager, Bookkeeper, Administrative Support Coordinator, and Youth Minister.
- Msgr. Charles (Chuck) Kosanke — Pastor and Rector
- Fr. Zaid Chabaan — Associate Pastor
- Deacon Aaron Poyer
- Deacon Ken Fry
- Joe Moss — Director of Music
- Juanita Vargas — Coordinator of Faith Formation and Worship
- Daniel Magareno — Youth Minister
- Colleen Moore — Director of Communications
- Yuliana Bautista — Event Coordinator (Weddings, Quinceañeras, Día de los Muertos)
- Eleticia Feliciano — Business Manager
- Mary Fitch — Bookkeeper
- Amelia Mata — Administrative Support Coordinator
Faith Formation & Sacramental Preparation
Religious education classes for students in grades 1 through 8 are offered through the parish in conjunction with sister parish Most Holy Trinity, and are led by adult volunteers. All sacramental preparation (First Reconciliation, First Communion, Confirmation) is included in the program; children prepare with their peers at Most Holy Trinity but receive the sacraments at the Basilica of Ste. Anne de Detroit. Adult initiation through the RCIA is supported by volunteers and sponsors. The parish invites new parishioners to register through the parish office.
- Religious education for grades 1–8 (with Most Holy Trinity)
- First Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation preparation
- RCIA for adults
- New parishioner registration via [email protected]
Youth Ministry
Two ongoing youth groups serve teens of the parish. Cristeros, for young men ages 14–17, meets on Fridays at 7:00 p.m. at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Academy and includes sports, fellowship, and faith formation. Las Flores del Corazón Abierto, for girls ages 12–17, meets twice a month on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. and emphasizes dignity, friendship, and conversation.
- Cristeros — young men ages 14–17, Fridays 7:00 p.m. at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Academy
- Las Flores del Corazón Abierto — girls ages 12–17, Wednesdays 6:30 p.m. (twice monthly)
Parish Groups & Ministries
The parish hosts a wide range of bilingual (English/Spanish) ministries including women's, family, devotional, charitable, and fraternal groups. These meet the spiritual, social, and material needs of the diverse Southwest Detroit community.
- Amigas de Jesús — women's ministry (2nd & 4th Fridays, 10 a.m.–12 p.m., in Spanish)
- Cofradía Guadalupana — Guadalupe Society, monthly rosary and December 12 celebration
- Barrios Transformados en Cristo — addiction recovery, weekly Wednesday Mass and adoration
- Marriage Encounter (Spanish) — retreats for married couples
- St. Joseph of Arimathea — bereavement ministry (English/Spanish)
- Knights of Columbus — Anacleto Rodriguez Council (2nd Saturday mornings)
- Novena Committee — plans the annual July Novena
- Food Pantry — volunteer-supported food distribution
Music Ministry
Under Director of Music Joe Moss — an organist and University of Michigan graduate who has performed on the organs of Notre Dame de Paris, St. Sulpice, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Aloysius, and Hill Auditorium — the parish offers several ensembles. The Gabriel Richard Schola sings more advanced repertoire, while the large Ste. Anne Festival Choir sings for major events. The parish's Casavant pipe organ (1941) retains the original 1886–87 case and much pipework.
- Director of Music: Joe Moss
- Gabriel Richard Schola — advanced repertoire choir
- Ste. Anne Festival Choir — large events
- Casavant pipe organ (1941) with original 1886–87 case
Sacraments & Celebrations
Ste. Anne is one of downtown Detroit's premiere wedding venues and is also a popular setting for quinceañeras, with all event coordination handled through the parish office. Reconciliation is offered Thursdays 6:00–7:00 pm (English/Spanish). Sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation is provided through the Faith Formation program.
- Reconciliation: Thursday 6:00–7:00 pm (English/Spanish)
- Weddings — [email protected], 313-496-1701 x14
- Quinceañeras — [email protected]
- Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, Anointing of the Sick
Restoration & The Catholic Initiative Partnership
On March 9, 2025, Msgr. Chuck Kosanke announced that the Basilica of Ste. Anne is forming an historic partnership with The Catholic Initiative to restore the basilica. The building is currently temporarily closed for an extensive restoration project, with all parish operations continuing from the parish office on the Ste. Anne campus at 2630 W. Lafayette Blvd. Restoration work is expected to continue through at least 2026.
- Historic partnership with The Catholic Initiative announced March 9, 2025
- Building assessment completed by the Archdiocese of Detroit in 2013
- Weekend Masses relocated to Most Holy Trinity during restoration
- All parish operations continuing during closure
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Nicholas Constantine del Halle, OFM (Franciscan)1701–c.1703
First pastor; one of two priests who came with Cadillac. Kidnapped by Native Americans, released, then shot and killed on his return to the fort. Remains buried under the altar of Ste. Anne and moved with each successive church.
- Fr. Chérubin Deniau1708–1714
Began construction of a larger church outside the fort palisade; this church was burned by settlers in 1714 during a Fox attack.
- Fr. Bonaventure Liénard1722–1754
Served the parish for more than three decades; one of the longest tenured early pastors.
- Fr. Simple Bocquet1755–c.1785
Began construction of a new church building within a year of arrival; served nearly 30 years through the French/British transition after the Seven Years' War.
- Fr. Gabriel Richard1798–1832
The parish's most well-known pastor. Founded schools, established Detroit's first printing press and The Observer, co-founded what became the University of Michigan, served as a territorial delegate to the U.S. Congress (first priest to do so), wrote Detroit's motto after the 1805 fire. Died September 13, 1832 in a cholera epidemic; tomb now in the basilica's chapel.
- Fr. James Grand, CSB1886–1907
First Basilian Father pastor; served during construction of the current church and the surge in devotion to Ste. Anne.
- Fr. Luke Renaud, CSB1907–1919
Second Basilian Father pastor.
- Fr. Thomas Sepulveda, CSB2003–2012
Last Basilian Father to serve the parish; first arrived in 1973 as a transitional deacon. Retired 2012, died March 11 at age 79.
- Fr. Russell Kohler2012–
Effective July 1, 2012, first non-Basilian pastor in 125 years; simultaneously continued as pastor of neighboring Most Holy Trinity Parish.
- Msgr. Charles (Chuck) Kosankecurrent
Current Pastor and Rector; also pastor of Most Holy Trinity Parish (Corktown), moderator of the Southwest Detroit Family of Parishes, and regional moderator of the Central Region of the Archdiocese of Detroit.
