About Nativity of Our Lord · Detroit, Michigan
Nativity of Our Lord is a historic Catholic parish on Detroit's east side, founded in 1911 at 5900 McClellan Avenue. The parish belongs to the Archdiocese of Detroit and is part of the Central Renaissance 2 Family of Parishes in the Renaissance Vicariate. Its mission describes it as 'a diverse and inclusive Catholic faith community on Detroit's east side dedicated to proclaiming the Gospel and sharing God's love through commitment to social justice, service to the neighborhood, the community and each other.' The current pastorate is supported by priests of the Society of St. Joseph (S.S.J.) and Capuchin Franciscans (OFM Cap), with several deacons assisting, and the parish partners closely with the Detroit Catholic Pastoral Alliance on neighborhood housing efforts.
- Established
- 1911
- Patron
- Nativity of Our Lord (the Birth of Jesus)
- Rector
- Rev. Francis Asomkase, S.S.J. (current full-time priest support, per Archdiocese of Detroit directory)
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Detroit (Family of Parishes: Central Renaissance 2; Vicariate: Renaissance Vicariate; Region: Central Region)
Why belong here
Nativity of Our Lord is a diverse and inclusive Catholic community that has served Detroit's east side for more than a century, with a long tradition of social-justice outreach and neighborhood revitalization in partnership with the Detroit Catholic Pastoral Alliance. The parish runs a Thursday food program, visit-the-sick ministry, an active choir and cantors, Eucharistic adoration, and a Friday Night Prayer Team that keeps watch in prayer from Friday 9 p.m. through Saturday morning. Welcoming liturgies — currently Sunday morning Mass at 9:30 a.m., with the St. Elizabeth community worshiping with Nativity at noon — give newcomers a clear way to enter the life of the parish.
Mass times at Nativity of Our Lord
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday before Mass (per parish directory listing on joinmychurch.com)
Adoration times
- Thursday following the 8:00 AM Mass (per Archdiocese of Detroit / Mass Finder listing)
About Nativity of Our Lord
Nativity of Our Lord is a Catholic parish on Detroit's east side, located at 5900 McClellan Avenue. The parish belongs to the Archdiocese of Detroit, in the Central Renaissance 2 Family of Parishes (Renaissance Vicariate, Central Region). Its mission statement reads: 'Nativity is a diverse and inclusive Catholic faith community on Detroit's east side dedicated to proclaiming the Gospel and sharing God's love through commitment to social justice, service to the neighborhood, the community, and each other.' The parish is currently served by priests and deacons from the Society of St. Joseph (S.S.J.) and the Capuchin Franciscans (OFM Cap), along with several permanent deacons.
- 5900 McClellan, Detroit, MI 48213
- Phone: (313) 922-0033
- Fax: (313) 922-8553
- Archdiocese of Detroit, Central Renaissance 2 Family of Parishes
History
Founded in September 1911 by Father Frederick L. Heidenreich at the request of Catholics in what was then the unincorporated village of Leesville, Nativity began in the abandoned Gratiot School on Harper before moving into the basement of its newly built school on McClellan. Ground was broken on the current Renaissance revival basilica in September 1924, the cornerstone was laid Easter Sunday 1925, and the first Mass was celebrated in the new church on Christmas Day 1926. Bishop Michael Gallagher dedicated it in 1929. The parish marked its 100th anniversary on October 9, 2011, with Archbishop Allen Vigneron celebrating the centenary Mass.
- Founded September 1911
- First Mass in current church: Christmas Day 1926
- Dedicated 1929 by Bishop Michael Gallagher
- Centenary Mass October 9, 2011 with Archbishop Allen Vigneron
Architecture and the Church Building
The church is a Renaissance revival basilica designed by Edward A. Schilling of Van Leyen, Schilling, Keogh and Reynolds, with construction by the F. H. Goddard Co. The exterior is brick and stone: a recessed portico with arched pediment on massive stone columns with richly carved Renaissance capitals, a rose window dominating the upper facade, and a separate campanile tower to the south. The rectory is connected by an enclosed colonnaded corridor. Inside, the aisles are laid with Pewabic Pottery tiles; the 1,400-pipe Moeller organ was installed in 1931; glass mosaic Stations of the Cross were set in place in 1935; and stained-glass windows by the Conrad Schmitt Studios of Milwaukee were completed by the 1936 Silver Jubilee. Original seating of 1,200 was reduced to just under 600 after the post-Vatican II sanctuary reconfiguration in the mid-1960s. The Pietà was relocated to the rear of the church when an elevator was added to the north transept in 1994.
- Renaissance revival basilica; architect Edward A. Schilling
- General contractor F. H. Goddard Co.
- 1,400-pipe Moeller organ (1931)
- Glass mosaic Stations of the Cross (1935)
- Stained-glass windows by Conrad Schmitt Studios of Milwaukee
- Pewabic Pottery aisle tiles
- Eight-foot marble altar received from St. Stanislaus Church (closed 1989)
Clergy and Staff
The parish is currently supported by clergy of the Society of St. Joseph and the Capuchin Franciscans, with several permanent deacons assisting in the Central Renaissance 2 Family of Parishes.
- Rev. Francis Asomkase, S.S.J. — Full-Time Priest Support
- Rev. David Preuss, OFM Cap — Part-Time Priest Support
- Rev. Justus Ihemawulotu, S.S.J. — Deacon / Part-Time Priest Support
- Deacon John Wright
- Deacon Christopher Rabaut
- Deacon Joseph Jones
Parish Programs and Ministries
The parish organizes its lay involvement around five commissions — Worship, Education, Christian Service, Stewardship and Social — together with an Evangelisation Commission that reaches out to inactive Catholics and the unchurched. The parish invites anyone to bring their gifts and talents by calling the rectory.
Worship Commission
Strengthens liturgical celebrations through planning and training for those who serve at Mass.
- Regular Liturgy Committee (plans music for weekend Masses)
- Special Liturgy Committee (Lent, Advent, All Souls Day)
- Friday Night Prayer Team (9 PM Friday – 9 AM Saturday prayer chain)
- Eucharistic Ministers (training required)
- Choir (rehearsals Tuesdays 6:30–8:00 PM)
- Cantors and Music Leaders (training required)
- Ushers and Greeters (training required)
Education Commission
Develops and implements education programs for the spiritual, physical and mental needs of parishioners of all ages.
- Adult Education Committee
- Anti-Racism Committee
- Religious Education Committee (school-aged children)
- Sunday Preschool (during 11:00 Mass)
Christian Service Commission
Creates and promotes programs at the parish level that address human needs and justice issues, with a strong tradition of food ministry and care for the sick and bereaved.
- Parish Health Committee
- Peace and Justice Committee
- Visit the Sick and Elderly
- Thursday Food Program Workers (Thursdays 12:30–4:00 PM)
- Funeral Luncheon Workers
Stewardship Commission
Oversees fiscal matters of the parish, the parish budget, building maintenance and personnel, and welcomes volunteers willing to share practical skills.
- Fund Raising Committee (annual parish fundraisers)
- Skills and Talents (painting, carpentry, electrical, typing/computer, artistry)
- Church Clean-Up and Repair
- Laundry of altar linens and table cloths
- Bakers (homemade goods for bake sales, fish fries, funerals, parish events)
- Weekend Snow Shoveling
- Altar Care and Decorating
Social and Evangelisation Commissions
The Social Commission plans events that let the parish family fellowship together. The Evangelisation Commission leads outreach to once-active parishioners and the broader unchurched community.
Community Outreach and Detroit Catholic Pastoral Alliance
Nativity has long partnered with the Detroit Catholic Pastoral Alliance (DCPA) on neighborhood revitalization, including the construction of new houses on McClellan and the rehabilitation of older housing stock on Detroit's east side. The parish's Thursday Food Program and its Peace and Justice Committee reflect its commitment to service to the neighborhood and the wider community — a commitment highlighted by Archbishop Vigneron at the 2011 centenary Mass when he spoke of God's 'work' done through the people of Nativity for a century.
- Detroit Catholic Pastoral Alliance (DCPA) partnership
- New house construction on McClellan
- Rehabilitation of older housing stock
- Thursday Food Program
- Peace and Justice Committee
Sacraments and Devotions
In addition to Sunday and weekday Mass, the parish offers Eucharistic Adoration on Thursdays and the sacrament of Reconciliation on Sundays before Mass. The parish also publishes a Friday Night Prayer Team that keeps continuous prayer from 9 PM Friday to 9 AM Saturday, and ministers to the sick and elderly of the parish.
- Sunday Mass — 9:30 AM
- St. Elizabeth @ Nativity — Sunday 12:00 PM
- Weekday Mass — Thursday 8:00 AM
- Eucharistic Adoration — Thursday
- Reconciliation — Sunday before Mass
- Visitation of the sick and elderly
- Funeral luncheon ministry
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Frederick L. Heidenreich1911–1928
Founding pastor appointed by Bishop John Foley; established parish in the former Gratiot/Leesville School; died before the new church was completed.
- Msgr. John S. Mies1928–c.1934
Succeeded Heidenreich; oversaw completion of the church interior; Bishop Michael Gallagher dedicated the church in 1929.
- Fr. Bernard Geller1934–c.1963
Served the parish for nearly thirty years.
- Fr. Bernard LaBelle1963–1969
- Fr. Jerome Singer1971–
Became pastor in 1971; led the parish's 100th anniversary in 2011; longtime partnership with the Detroit Catholic Pastoral Alliance on neighborhood housing.