About St. Aloysius · Detroit, Michigan
St. Aloysius Parish is a historic Roman Catholic parish in downtown Detroit, Michigan, known affectionately as "Everybody's Church." Founded in 1873 when the Bishop of Detroit purchased the former Presbyterian building, it has served Catholics from every walk of life — including the homeless and the wealthy, downtown residents and suburban commuters — for more than 150 years. The parish's striking 1930 Italian and French Romanesque church, built on a narrow 72-by-100-foot lot, is celebrated for its groundbreaking tri-level design, exotic marbles, Hildreth Meière mosaics, and Pewabic tile. Today St. Aloysius is known citywide for its downtown outreach to the poor and unhoused through its Truck, Breakfast, and Backpack ministries, and its mission to "set the city of Detroit ablaze with the love of Jesus through empowering joyful missionary disciples."
- Established
- 1873
- Patron
- St. Aloysius Gonzaga
- Rector
- Rev. Salvatore (Sal) Palazzolo
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Detroit
Why belong here
St. Aloysius is one of downtown Detroit's most welcoming parishes — a historic, architecturally stunning church that serves both its downtown neighbors and the wider community. Daily and Sunday Mass are celebrated in the heart of the city, with strong outreach programming for the homeless, seniors, and families in need. Whether you live downtown, work in the city, or just want a place to encounter Christ while in Detroit, St. Aloysius offers a vibrant liturgical life, Eucharistic adoration most days, and a clear mission to be Christ's hands and feet in one of America's most iconic urban centers.
Mass times at St. Aloysius
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday–Friday: 11:45 a.m. – 12:05 p.m.
- Sunday: 9:15 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.
Adoration times
- Monday–Friday: 11:45 a.m. – 12:10 p.m.
- Third Tuesday of the month: 7:00 p.m.
Parish History
Before it became a Catholic parish, St. Aloysius was dedicated as a Presbyterian church in 1861. The Bishop of Detroit later purchased the building, and the first Catholic Mass was celebrated there on August 24, 1873 — older than Detroit's first streetcar, first public library, and first telephone. The original 19th-century structure was razed in April 1930, and the present-day monumental church was dedicated in its place later that same year.
- 1873: First Catholic service after the Bishop of Detroit purchased the former Presbyterian building.
- 1861: Original building first dedicated as a Presbyterian church.
- 1930: Original church razed; present Italian and French Romanesque building completed and dedicated.
- Older than Detroit's first street railway, first public library, and first telephone.
Building Features and Architecture
Designed by the firm Donaldson & Meier in Italian and French Romanesque style, the 1930 church is built of granite and limestone on a tiny 72 × 100-foot lot. To allow everyone to see the altar, the architects created a tri-level layout — believed to be unique worldwide — whose semi-circular sanctuary "well" echoes the Cathedral of Milan. The main altar combines Botticino, Sienna, Rojo Alicante, Rose Aurora, and Campan Melange Vert marbles; the sanctuary tabernacle is burnished gold framed in Norwegian marble; and 26 different marbles from quarries in Italy, France, Spain, Norway, and Tennessee appear throughout.
- Italian and French Romanesque style in granite and limestone
- World-unique tri-level design on a 72 × 100-foot site
- Semi-circular sanctuary 'well' inspired by the Cathedral of Milan
- Mosaics designed by Hildreth Meière, leading 20th-century liturgical artist
- Over 500 square feet of Pewabic tile — Pewabic's last church collaboration with Donaldson & Meier
- Pieces preserved from the original 1873 church: bronze sanctuary lamp with seraphim; Sienna marble altar, communion rail, and gates; original Stations of the Cross
Sacraments
St. Aloysius prepares Catholics for the sacraments of initiation, marriage, and ongoing life in Christ. Engaged couples are asked to contact Fr. Mario at least six months before the wedding date for Marriage Preparation. Adults interested in becoming Catholic participate in the OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) process, formerly known as RCIA. Baptisms and other sacramental preparations are arranged through the parish office.
- Baptism
- Marriage Preparation (contact at least 6 months in advance)
- Becoming Catholic — OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults)
Neighborhood Services and Outreach
Defining itself as a church of and for the poor, St. Aloysius centers its mission on serving those most in need in downtown Detroit. The parish runs a robust portfolio of outreach programs that take food, friendship, and healthcare directly to the streets, with explicit pro-life commitments to the dignity of every human person from conception to natural death.
- Truck Ministry (12 years) — Wednesday mornings on the streets
- Wednesday & Thursday Morning Breakfast Ministry (14 years) — hot food, clothing, fellowship
- Pop-Up Produce Station — free fresh fruit and vegetables every Saturday
- Saturday Community BBQ — monthly fellowship and meal
- Backpack Ministry — Saturday service opportunity
- Health Ministry & Faith Community Nursing Team — screenings, education, referrals
- Sandwich Making (third Sunday of the month as a parish)
- Grocery delivery to senior citizens
- Emergency food pantry
- Visiting the elderly
- S.H.A.R.E. — Seniors for Health, Advocacy, Reform, and Education (Thursday afternoons)
- Neighborhood Alpha — Thursday afternoon prayer and discussion
Grow — Ministries and Faith Formation
St. Aloysius offers a range of formation and fellowship opportunities for parishioners and visitors who want to deepen their discipleship. Young adults gather for Adoration, service, and fellowship; Bible Study and Faith Formation are offered; and Marriage Preparation is coordinated for engaged couples. The parish invites anyone curious about the Catholic faith to learn more about becoming Catholic through OCIA.
- Young Adult Ministry
- Bible Study
- Faith Formation
- Marriage Prep
- Becoming Catholic (OCIA)
Our Team — Staff and Clergy
St. Aloysius is led by Pastor Fr. Sal Palazzolo. Fr. Mario Amore, longtime pastor who built up the parish's homeless outreach and evangelization identity, continues to serve as a priest at St. Aloysius alongside his new archdiocesan role as Director of Evangelization and Missionary Discipleship. Lay staff support parish operations, music, community engagement, digital evangelization, and neighborhood services.
- Rev. Sal Palazzolo — Pastor
- Rev. Mario Amore — Parochial priest; Director of Evangelization and Missionary Discipleship, Archdiocese of Detroit
- Beth Allison — Director of Parish Mission and Operations
- Louise Danilowicz — Office Manager
- Jimmy O'Leary — Discipleship and Community Engagement
- Joseph Mutone — Director of Music
- Michael Schultz — Neighborhood Services Director
- Leah Butalid — Digital Evangelization
- Karen McFadden — Custodian
Plan Your Visit
St. Aloysius welcomes everyone — Catholic or not, downtown resident or visitor. The building is fully accessible with a ramp and main-level access without stairs. Reserved seating and stroller parking are available for families with small children. Free parking validation is provided at the Park Rite Garage for weekend Mass. All are welcome at Mass; Holy Communion is reserved for baptized Catholics prepared to receive the Eucharist.
- Accessible entrance with ramp; main level reachable without stairs
- Reserved seating and stroller parking for families with small children
- Free validated parking at Park Rite Garage (Washington Park Apartments, 1431 Washington Blvd.) for Saturday Vigil and Sunday Mass
- Non-Catholics and visitors warmly welcomed at Mass
Contact and Hours
The parish offices are open Tuesday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., closed Monday and Saturday. The church itself is open for prayer Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
- Mailing Address: St. Aloysius Parish, PO Box 44350, Detroit, MI 48244
- Street Address: 1234 Washington Blvd., Detroit, MI 48226
- Phone: (313) 237-5810
- Office Hours: Tue–Fri 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.; Sun 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. (closed Mon & Sat)
- Church Hours: Mon–Fri 11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m.; Sun 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Mario Amore
Longtime pastor who shaped St. Aloysius as 'Everybody's Church' with its robust homeless and community outreach. Now serves as director of the Archdiocese of Detroit's Department of Evangelization and Missionary Discipleship while remaining a priest at the parish.
- Rev. Salvatore (Sal) Palazzolo
Current pastor.