About St. Elizabeth · Detroit, Michigan
St. Elizabeth Catholic Church is a historic parish on Detroit's east side, in the Archdiocese of Detroit, founded in 1884–1885 by German and Belgian immigrant families. The current Romanesque-style church at 3138 E. Canfield was designed by Donaldson & Meier and dedicated on Feb. 14, 1892. The parish was assigned in 2007 to Fr. Norman Thomas — longtime pastor of nearby Sacred Heart — and after his death in 2023 it is now served by Father Francis Asomkase, SSJ. In early 2026, the Archdiocese announced that St. Elizabeth would be merged into Nativity of Our Lord at 5900 McClellan, with the final Mass at the Canfield church celebrated Feb. 22, 2026.
- Established
- 1884
- Patron
- St. Elizabeth (of Hungary, traditional patroness; statue stands to the right of the main altar)
- Rector
- Father Francis Asomkase, SSJ (Pastor-Moderator)
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Detroit
Why belong here
St. Elizabeth is a small, mission-driven parish on Detroit's east side whose community life centers on the theme 'I am my brother's and sister's keeper.' Worship is celebrated weekly on Sundays at noon, with a music ministry led by Director of Liturgy and Music Keir Ward and an open invitation to join the choir. The parish offers the sacraments of Baptism, Marriage, and Reconciliation, and welcomes those seeking to grow in faith and serve neighbors who have been alienated socially, economically, or spiritually.
Mass times at St. Elizabeth
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- By individual appointment with a priest
About St. Elizabeth Catholic Church
St. Elizabeth Catholic Church is a parish of the Archdiocese of Detroit located at 3138 E. Canfield on Detroit's east side. Its mission is 'to connect our brothers and sisters to Jesus Christ and to each other … and to bring a ministry of hope, love and charity to those who have been alienated socially, economically and spiritually.' All parish efforts are united under the theme 'I am my brother's and sister's keeper.' The parish is currently led by Pastor-Moderator Father Francis Asomkase, SSJ.
- Mission: connect brothers and sisters to Jesus Christ and to each other
- Values: compassion, service, unity
- Theme: 'I am my brother's and sister's keeper'
- Pastor-Moderator: Father Francis Asomkase, SSJ
History of St. Elizabeth Parish
St. Elizabeth was organized in 1884 after Bishop Caspar Borgess designated the Rev. Anton (Anthony) Svensson, a Swedish-born assistant at St. Joseph's, to lead the new congregation. Land near McDougall and East Canfield was donated by Fannie Van Dyke, and the first church was dedicated June 21, 1885. By 1890 the parish had grown to more than 400 families, and the congregation voted to build a new church — designed by Donaldson & Meier — which was dedicated Feb. 14, 1892. From 2007 the parish was shared with Sacred Heart under Fr. Norman Thomas; after his death in 2023, Fr. Francis Asomkase, SSJ, was named Pastor-Moderator. In 2026 the Archdiocese announced the parish would merge into Nativity of Our Lord at 5900 McClellan, with a final Mass at the Canfield church celebrated Feb. 22, 2026.
- 1884 — Parish organized under Fr. Anthony Svensson by Bishop Caspar Borgess
- 1885 — First church dedicated June 21 (land donated by Fannie Van Dyke)
- 1891 — Cornerstone of new church laid May 3 by Bishop John S. Foley
- 1892 — Present Donaldson & Meier church dedicated Feb. 14
- 1896 — Fr. Svensson dies at age 44
- 2007 — Fr. Norman Thomas appointed pastor of St. Elizabeth in addition to Sacred Heart
- 2023 — Fr. Thomas dies Feb. 27; Fr. Francis Asomkase, SSJ, becomes Pastor-Moderator
- 2026 — Parish merged into Nativity of Our Lord; final Mass at Canfield Feb. 22
Architecture of the Church
The present St. Elizabeth Catholic Church was designed by the prominent Detroit firm Donaldson & Meier and dedicated Feb. 14, 1892. Built of molded pressed red brick with stone trimmings, the building features twin towers on its west façade facing McDougall. Inside, the 50-by-90-foot auditorium is vaulted and flanked by 36-by-70-foot transepts, with polished columns 19 feet high and a sanctuary reaching 37 feet above the floor. Circular arches and transverse barrel vaults create deep niches for stained glass donated by various parish societies and members.
- Architects: Donaldson & Meier
- Style: Romanesque, molded pressed red brick with stone trimmings
- Towers: twin towers on the west (McDougall) façade
- Dimensions: 50×90 ft nave; 36×70 ft transepts
- Columns: polished, 19 ft high
- Vaulting: transverse barrel vaults forming niches for stained glass
Leadership & Clergy
St. Elizabeth is currently led by Pastor-Moderator Father Francis Asomkase, SSJ, a member of the Society of St. Joseph. He succeeded Fr. Norman Thomas, who from 2007 until his death in February 2023 simultaneously pastored Sacred Heart and St. Elizabeth. Fr. Thomas was widely known as 'the people's pastor' for his 54 years of ministry at Sacred Heart and his lifelong advocacy for the poor, the environment, and racial equality.
- Pastor-Moderator: Father Francis Asomkase, SSJ
- Previous pastor (2007–2023): Rev. Norman Thomas (also pastor of Sacred Heart 1968–2023)
- Founding pastor: Rev. Anton (Anthony) Svensson (1884–1896)
Sacraments
St. Elizabeth offers preparation for the sacraments of Baptism, Marriage, and Reconciliation. Baptisms are celebrated by contacting the parish office. Couples preparing for marriage meet with the parish and, for wedding music, with the Director of Liturgy and Music. The Sacrament of Reconciliation (Penance) is offered by individual appointment with a priest.
- Baptism — contact parish office (313) 921-9225
- Marriage — preparation required; contact the parish office
- Wedding Music — consultation with Director of Liturgy & Music Keir Ward
- Reconciliation — by individual appointment with a priest
Music Ministry
The parish music ministry is led by Director of Liturgy and Music Keir Ward. The choir welcomes singers of all experience levels to enhance Sunday worship and special celebrations such as weddings. Those interested in joining are invited to contact the parish office.
- Director of Liturgy and Music: Keir Ward
- Open invitation to join the choir
- Wedding music consultations available
Visit & Contact
Parishioners and visitors are warmly welcomed at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church. The parish office can be reached by phone or email, and those interested in joining the faith community, joining the choir, or learning more about the sacraments are encouraged to reach out.
- Address: 3138 E. Canfield, Detroit, MI 48207
- Phone: (313) 921-9225
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: stelizabethdetroit.com
A Corner of Detroit's East-Side Catholic Heritage
St. Elizabeth stands at the eastern end of a remarkable row of late-19th- and early-20th-century Catholic churches on Detroit's east side, including Sweetest Heart of Mary, St. Albertus, St. Josaphat, and St. Hyacinth. The parish hosted the National Black Catholic Congress XI in May 2018 and remains part of the Archdiocese of Detroit's Renaissance Vicariate Family 2.
- Member of the Archdiocese of Detroit's Renaissance Vicariate Family 2 (with Nativity of Our Lord, Sacred Heart, St. Augustine & St. Monica, St. Charles Borromeo)
- Hosted National Black Catholic Congress XI, May 2018
- Surrounded by historic east-side Catholic parishes: Sweetest Heart of Mary, St. Albertus, St. Josaphat, St. Hyacinth
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Anton (Anthony) Svensson1884–1896
Founding pastor; Swedish-born, previously assistant at St. Joseph's, Detroit. Designated by Bishop Caspar Borgess to lead the new German/Belgian immigrant congregation. Died 1896 at age 44; commemorated by a plaque inside the church.
- Rev. Norman Thomas2007–2023
Appointed pastor/administrator of St. Elizabeth in addition to his 54-year pastorate at Sacred Heart Parish. Longtime civil-rights advocate known as 'the people's pastor.' Died Feb. 27, 2023, at age 92.
- Father Francis Asomkase, SSJ2023–present
Current Pastor-Moderator; member of the Society of St. Joseph (SSJ).