About Holy Redeemer · Detroit, Michigan
Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church (commonly Holy Redeemer) is a historic Roman Catholic parish in Southwest Detroit's Mexicantown neighborhood, founded by the Redemptorist Fathers on St. Patrick's Day, 1880. Originally established to serve Irish and German Catholic immigrants in what was then the township of Springwells, the parish is today a multicultural, bilingual community where Mass is celebrated in both English and Spanish. The current Roman basilica–style church, designed by the Detroit firm of Donaldson and Meier, was built in 1921 and dedicated in 1923, and the complex was once estimated to be the largest Roman Catholic parish in North America. The parish is now part of the SOLT Family of Parishes, served by the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity (SOLT), and shares its historic block with Holy Redeemer Grade School and Detroit Cristo Rey High School.
- Established
- 1880
- Patron
- Most Holy Redeemer (Jesus Christ, the Redeemer)
- Rector
- Fr. John Robinson, SOLT
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Detroit
Why belong here
Most Holy Redeemer is a bilingual, multicultural parish where the beauty of a 100-year-old basilica-style church meets the daily rhythm of a living Latino Catholic community in Mexicantown. Worship is offered in both English and Spanish, with daily Mass, a robust Eucharistic Adoration schedule, and a full confession rotation. The parish shares its historic block with Holy Redeemer Grade School (founded 1882) and Detroit Cristo Rey High School, and is part of the SOLT Family of Parishes — a missionary community whose vision is to be 'a place of refuge to encounter Christ and joyfully spread the Good News.'
Mass times at Holy Redeemer
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday: 9:00 am
- Thursday: 5:00 pm
- Saturday: 4:00 pm
Adoration times
- Monday: 6:00 am – 7:00 am
- Tuesday: 6:00 am – 7:00 am
- Wednesday: 6:00 am – 7:00 am
- Thursday: 6:00 am – 7:00 am (additional 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm)
- Friday: 6:00 am – 7:00 am
- Saturday: 7:15 am – 8:15 am
Parish Identity & Vision
Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church is one of three parishes that make up the SOLT Detroit Family of Parishes, alongside St. Cunegunda and St. Gabriel. The parish articulates a clear vision and mission: 'A place of refuge to Encounter Christ and joyfully spread the Good News,' and, 'Inspired by prayer and adoration, we teach and evangelize, bringing healing through Christ and serving those most in need.' SOLT (the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity) has served Southwest Detroit since 2011; SOLT sisters first arrived at Most Holy Redeemer in August 2017.
- Parish Vision: A place of refuge to Encounter Christ and joyfully spread the Good News.
- Parish Mission: Inspired by prayer and adoration, we teach and evangelize, bringing healing through Christ and serving those most in need.
- SOLT Detroit Family of Parishes includes Holy Redeemer, St. Cunegunda, and St. Gabriel.
History of Most Holy Redeemer
Founded on St. Patrick's Day, 1880, by Redemptorist Father Aegidius Smulders, the parish was established to minister to Irish and German Catholic immigrants in the Springwells area. Worship began in Patrick Ratigan's general store on West Jefferson Avenue before the first wood-frame church — the 'Little Church on Sand Hill' — was dedicated in 1881. A second, larger Gothic church followed in 1896 during the pastorate of Benedict Neithart. As the surrounding neighborhood became more Latino, a Spanish Mass was instituted in 1960. In 1999 the Redemptorists returned the parish to the Archdiocese of Detroit after more than a century of stewardship, and in 2017 the SOLT community arrived to continue the parish's missionary work.
- 1880 — Parish founded by Redemptorist Fr. Aegidius Smulders on St. Patrick's Day.
- 1881 — 'Little Church on Sand Hill' dedicated (designed by Redemptorist Brother Thomas).
- 1882 — School opened under the IHM (Immaculate Heart of Mary) Sisters.
- 1896 — Larger Gothic church built during the pastorate of Fr. Benedict Neithart.
- 1921 — Construction of the present Roman basilica–style church begins.
- 1923 (April 1) — Present church dedicated.
- 1960 — Spanish Mass instituted.
- 1999 — Redemptorists cede the parish to the Archdiocese of Detroit.
- 2017 — Sisters of SOLT arrive at the parish.
Architecture & Sacred Art
The present Most Holy Redeemer Church was designed by the Detroit architectural firm of Donaldson and Meier (John Donaldson and Henry Meier) in the Roman basilica style with a Romanesque façade, modeled on the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls in Rome. Built in 1921 and dedicated on April 1, 1923, the church seats roughly 1,400 people. Inside, the marble altar was fashioned in Italy and inset with glass mosaics, and six additional side altars stand in the transepts.
- Architects: Donaldson and Meier (Detroit).
- Built 1921; dedicated April 1, 1923.
- Style: Roman basilica with Romanesque façade.
- Seating capacity: ~1,400.
- Marble altar from Italy with glass mosaic insets; six additional side altars.
- Campanile (c. 1924) memorializes parishioners who died in World War I.
- Listed on the National Register of Historic Places (December 12, 2002) as part of the West Vernor–Junction Historic District.
Stained Glass, Pewabic Tile & Furnishings
The church is widely admired for its artisan craftsmanship. Over 8,000 square feet of Pewabic Pottery tile — designed by Mary Chase Perry Stratton — covers the floors of the sanctuary, aisles, narthex, and side chapels. The stained-glass double-lancet aisle windows are by Charles Jay Connick of Boston; those on the south aisle depict the parables of Jesus and those on the north aisle depict his miracles. The clerestory windows are by Detroit Stained Glass Works, and the roof is sheathed in Ludowici tile.
- Pewabic Pottery floor tile by Mary Chase Perry Stratton (8,000+ sq ft).
- Aisle stained glass by Charles Jay Connick (parables south, miracles north).
- Clerestory windows by Detroit Stained Glass Works.
- Ludowici tile roof.
Clergy & Pastoral Team
Holy Redeemer is pastored as part of the SOLT Detroit Family of Parishes. The current pastor was appointed in August 2024 and serves with a parochial vicar, both members of SOLT.
- Fr. John Robinson, SOLT — Pastor (appointed August 15, 2024)
- Fr. Joseph Spears, SOLT — Parochial Vicar (ordained June 2024; appointed August 15, 2024)
- Fr. Dennis Walsh, SOLT — prior Family-Pastor (in role by July 2021)
- Jeremy Davis, SOLT — Rector, associated with the SOLT Detroit formation house
Holy Redeemer Grade School
Holy Redeemer Grade School has stood at the corner of Junction and Vernor for more than 140 years. Founded in 1882 by the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM), whose mother house is in Monroe, Michigan, the school is housed in the current building constructed in 1901. After decades of IHM leadership, the school is now under the leadership of the SOLT community and continues its mission 'to form disciples of Christ, who are proudly Catholic, in a safe, encouraging environment, who grow in faith, strive for academic excellence and serve their community with love and integrity.' Scholarships and benefactor support help make the school accessible to Southwest Detroit families.
- Founded 1882 by the IHM Sisters.
- Current school building constructed 1901.
- Now led by the SOLT community.
- Mission: form disciples of Christ who are proudly Catholic, growing in faith, striving for academic excellence, and serving their community.
Detroit Cristo Rey High School
Detroit Cristo Rey High School opened in August 2008 inside the former Holy Redeemer High School building. It is co-sponsored by the IHM Sisters and the Basilian Fathers, and operates within the Archdiocese of Detroit as the only coeducational Catholic high school in the city of Detroit. Like other Cristo Rey Network schools, students participate in a corporate work-study program that pairs them with local employers to help cover the cost of tuition.
- Opened August 2008 in the former Holy Redeemer High School building.
- Only coeducational Catholic high school in the city of Detroit.
- Co-sponsored by IHM Sisters and the Basilian Fathers.
- Part of the national Cristo Rey Network and its work-study model.
SOLT Family of Parishes
Holy Redeemer is grouped with neighboring parishes St. Cunegunda and St. Gabriel in the SOLT Detroit Family of Parishes. SOLT (the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity) is a missionary community of priests, sisters, brothers, lay families, and lay volunteers who describe Mary as Daughter of the Father, Mother of the Son, and Spouse of the Holy Spirit. SOLT has been serving Southwest Detroit since 2011.
- SOLT community founded by the missionary vision of Mary as Daughter, Mother, and Spouse.
- Serving Southwest Detroit since 2011.
- SOLT sisters arrived at Most Holy Redeemer in August 2017.
- SOLT seminarians reside at the parish while studying at Sacred Heart Major Seminary.
Visiting & Contact
Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church is located in the heart of Mexicantown in Southwest Detroit and welcomes all visitors. The parish office can be reached by phone at (313) 842-3450, and the parish website (holyredeemerdetroit.com) now redirects to the SOLT Detroit Family of Parishes site, where Mass and Adoration schedules are kept up to date.
- Address: 1721 Junction Street, Detroit, MI 48209
- Phone: (313) 842-3450
- Website: holyredeemerdetroit.com (now part of soltdetroit.org)
- Office Hours (Most Holy Redeemer): Monday & Wednesday 9 am – 5 pm; Tuesday & Thursday 9 am – 7 pm; closed Friday for lunch 12:30 pm – 1:00 pm; Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday closed.
- Location: heart of Mexicantown, adjacent to the West Vernor–Junction Historic District.
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Aegidius Smulders, C.Ss.R.1880–
Redemptorist founder of the parish on St. Patrick's Day 1880; former Confederate chaplain.
- Fr. Benedict Neithart, C.Ss.R.1896
Built the second, larger Gothic church.
- Fr. Dennis Walsh, SOLT2021–2024
Family-Pastor of the newly formed Southwest Vicariate Family 1 (appointed July 1, 2021).
- Fr. John Robinson, SOLT2024–present
Current pastor of the SOLT Detroit Family of Parishes (Holy Redeemer, St. Cunegunda, St. Gabriel); appointed August 15, 2024.