About Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament · Detroit, Michigan
The Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament is the mother church and seat (cathedra) of the Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Detroit, located at 9844 Woodward Avenue in Detroit, Michigan. It serves both as a parish church for its registered members and as the cathedral church where the Archbishop ordains priests and deacons, administers the sacrament of confirmation, celebrates the Chrism Mass, and presides over the liturgies of the Sacred Triduum. Established as Most Blessed Sacrament Parish in 1905 by Bishop John Samuel Foley, the building was designed in the Norman Gothic style by architect Henry A. Walsh of Cleveland, with construction beginning in 1913. It was dedicated in 1930, elevated to cathedral status in 1938, and consecrated in its completed form in 1951 with twin towers and a full facade designed by Detroit architect George F. Diehl.
- Established
- 1905
- Patron
- The Most Blessed Sacrament (Blessed Sacrament)
- Rector
- Very Rev. J.J. Mech (Rector)
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Detroit
Why belong here
The Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament offers parishioners a unique opportunity to worship in the mother church of the Archdiocese of Detroit, where the Archbishop celebrates major archdiocesan liturgies including ordinations, the Chrism Mass, the Sacred Triduum, and confirmation. As both a working parish and cathedral, it provides daily Mass (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 8 AM, with the Sunday Mass at 11 AM also livestreamed), Eucharistic exposition on First Fridays and Second Thursdays, and a Sunday-evening Mass with exposition on second Sundays, fostering deep devotion to the Blessed Sacrament for which it is named. Registered parishioners join a community gathered around the historic seat of Catholic faith in southeast Michigan.
Mass times at Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament
Weekly Mass schedule
Adoration times
- First Fridays — Exposition after 8:00 AM Mass
- Second Thursdays — Exposition after 8:00 AM Mass
- Second Sundays of the month — Exposition at 5:00 PM, preceding 6:00 PM Mass
History of the Cathedral
The Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament is the fifth cathedral to serve the Catholic Church in Detroit. Earlier cathedrals were Ste. Anne de Detroit (founded July 26, 1701), Ste. Anne's, Ss. Peter and Paul (consecrated 1848, still standing at Jefferson and St. Antoine), and St. Patrick Church at 124 Adelaide Street in Brush Park (cathedral from 1890 to 1938). The road to the present site at 9844 Woodward Avenue includes 'numerous twists, turns and even a few false starts.'
Founding of Most Blessed Sacrament Parish (1905)
In 1905, Bishop John Samuel Foley authorized the construction of a new parish named Most Blessed Sacrament on land then outside the Detroit city limits, north of Grand Boulevard. In July 1905, Rev. John J. Connolly of Holy Rosary Church was tasked with forming the new congregation in the fast-growing North Woodward section of the city. The congregation first gathered in an old shoe factory in Highland Park, and that same year a two-story brick building was built to house the church and school. With 200 families already enrolled, the building quickly proved inadequate.
Construction and Dedication (1913–1930)
Architect Henry A. Walsh of Cleveland, Ohio, drew the Norman Gothic design for the church. Construction on the building began in 1913, with the roof and stonework completed by 1915. The interior was not finished until 1930. Bishop Michael J. Gallagher dedicated the church on Thanksgiving Day 1930 at a solemn Mass. Construction on the towers and facade was deliberately deferred.
Elevation to Cathedral (1937–1938)
In May 1937, Pope Pius XI elevated the Diocese of Detroit to the Archdiocese of Detroit. At that time, St. Patrick's Church in Brush Park served as the cathedral. Archbishop Edward Mooney immediately petitioned the Vatican to designate the larger, more modern Most Blessed Sacrament Church as the cathedral. The Vatican representative who inspected the proposed cathedral on Woodward Avenue was Giovanni Battista Montini, later Pope St. Paul VI. On February 20, 1938, by decree of Pope Pius XI, the parish was formally designated the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament. To prepare the building, the archdiocese enlarged seating capacity by 60 people, erected a new cathedra, and moved the pulpit. Archbishop Mooney rededicated the church in April 1938.
Completion of Towers and Facade (1945–1951)
Planning for the towers and facade was delayed by the American entry into World War II in 1941. After the war ended in 1945, Cardinal Mooney revived the plans. Walsh had died on January 3, 1940, so the Archdiocese turned to Detroit architect George F. Diehl to take Walsh's rendering and produce plans for the towers. The tower addition was completed in October 1951. On November 17, 1951, Archbishop Allen J. Babcock consecrated the completed cathedral in a ceremony attended by 600 priests and 110 bishops and archbishops, broadcast live on local television.
Papal Visit (1987)
Pope St. John Paul II visited the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament on September 18, 1987, during his apostolic journey to the United States.
Role of the Cathedral Today
The Cathedral is both a parish church and the cathedral church of the Archdiocese of Detroit. As the seat of the Archbishop, it is where Archbishop Edward Weisenburger welcomes new Catholics, ordains new priests and deacons, administers the sacrament of confirmation, and celebrates the Chrism Mass as well as the liturgies of the Sacred Triduum. Special Masses are also celebrated each year for groups such as school children, the sick and their caregivers, and others. The Cathedral is described as the 'second parish' of all the Catholic faithful in southeast Michigan, and the 'first parish' of some.
Parish Office and Location
The Cathedral Church and Parish Office are located at 9844 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI 48202. The Rector is Very Rev. J.J. Mech; the parish phone is (313) 865-6300. The Archdiocese of Detroit Chancery Office is at 12 State Street, Detroit, MI 48226 (313-237-1823). Summer office hours are Monday–Tuesday 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Wednesday Noon – 6:30 PM, Thursday–Friday 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Saturday 9:00 AM – 12:00 Noon, Sunday closed.
Welcoming New Parishioners
The Cathedral invites new members to register either at the parish office or through the registration page of the Cathedral website. Newcomers join a parish community of disciples who gather at the mother church of the Archdiocese to worship, serve, learn, and receive the sacraments on a regular basis.