About St. Francis D'Assisi · Detroit, Michigan
St. Francis D'Assisi – St. Hedwig Parish is a bilingual (English/Spanish) Roman Catholic parish in Southwest Detroit that unites two historic churches under one roof. St. Francis D'Assisi, founded by Polish immigrants in 1889–1890, and St. Hedwig were merged by the Archdiocese of Detroit on July 1, 2013. Today the parish serves a diverse community from its two landmark worship sites — the Italian Renaissance–styled St. Francis on Wesson Street and St. Hedwig on Junction Avenue — offering daily Mass, reconciliation, adoration, and a slate of Hispanic and youth ministries.
- Established
- 1889
- Patron
- St. Francis of Assisi
- Rector
- Reverend Bernardo Cruz
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Detroit
Why belong here
St. Francis D'Assisi – St. Hedwig is a parish where two heritages — Polish-founded St. Francis and St. Hedwig — now welcome a vibrant bilingual Catholic community in Southwest Detroit. Worshippers can pray in English or Spanish at any of six weekly Masses across two historic churches, adore the Eucharist Wednesday and Thursday evenings, and bring children to religious education classes offered in both languages. Active ministries such as the youth group (Grupo de Jóvenes), Movimiento Juan XXIII, El Buen Pastor and Conquistando las Naciones para Cristo give families concrete ways to grow in faith and serve together.
Mass times at St. Francis D'Assisi
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday 6:00 pm at St. Hedwig
- Thursday 6:00 pm at St. Francis
- Saturday 3:15 pm at St. Hedwig
- Sunday by request at St. Francis
Adoration times
- Wednesday 6:00 pm at St. Hedwig (Spanish)
- Thursday 6:00 pm at St. Francis (Spanish)
Parish Overview — Two Churches, One Parish
St. Francis D'Assisi – St. Hedwig Parish ("Parroquia de San Francisco de Asís – Santa Eduviges") is a bilingual Roman Catholic community in Southwest Detroit formed by the 2013 merger of two historic churches. The parish describes itself as "a Catholic parish in Southwest Detroit, comprising two beautiful historic churches" whose community is "strong and committed, working together to proclaim the Word of God through evangelization, formation, and prayer."
- St. Francis D'Assisi (San Francisco de Asís) — 4500 Wesson St., Detroit, MI 48210
- St. Hedwig (Santa Eduviges) — 3245 Junction Ave., Detroit, MI 48210
- Parish office housed in the building connected to St. Hedwig Church, entrance by the parking lot
- Merged July 1, 2013
History of St. Francis D'Assisi
Founded in 1889 by Polish Catholic families moving west from St. Casimir parish. Bishop John Foley assigned Fr. Romuald Byzewski as founding pastor. The first combined school/church/hall on Campbell & Buchanan was built for about $35,000; first Mass was celebrated on Easter Sunday, April 6, 1890 and the church was solemnly blessed on April 19, 1891. A four-classroom school opened in 1892 with 282 pupils taught by four religious sisters. Successor pastors built the present Italian Renaissance church (completed 1905), expanded the school to 22 classrooms, paid off the debt, and earned the distinction of having the church solemnly consecrated in 1929.
- 1889 — founding meetings; twelve lots purchased on Wesson/Buchanan and Campbell/Buchanan for $2,900
- June 1890 — cornerstone blessed; first Mass Easter Sunday, April 6, 1890
- 1898 — founding pastor Fr. Byzewski transferred to Sweetest Heart of Mary
- 1903 — cornerstone laid for present church (Kastler & Hunter, architects)
- 1905 — new St. Francis church completed; 230 × 123 ft, 1,700 seats
- 1919 — Fr. Felix Kieruj dies in Colorado Springs; Fr. Alexander Grudzinski succeeds him
- 1929 (June 4) — St. Francis solemnly consecrated, first in Michigan and fifth in the U.S.
- 2013 (July 1) — St. Francis and St. Hedwig merged
- 2021 (July 1) — Parish joins Southwest Vicariate Family 1 'In Solidum' team
Patron Saint — St. Francis of Assisi
The parish is named for St. Francis of Assisi (b. 1182, d. 1226), whose feast day is October 4. According to the parish website: after a carefree youth he renounced his paternal wealth and committed himself to God; he led a life of evangelical poverty and preached the love of God to all. He established a rule that gained approval of the Holy See and subsequently founded an order of nuns and a society of laypersons who practice penance while living in the world.
- Born: Assisi, 1182
- Died: 1226
- Feast Day: October 4
The Church Building
The present St. Francis church sits on the northeast corner of Wesson and Buchanan. Designed by Kastler and Hunter in the Italian Renaissance style, it is built of Malvern brick with carved Bedford trim. Ornate Corinthian columns on the facade support a triumphal arch with trumpeting angels, framing the great west window and main entrance. Three unique carvings mark the front facade (Michael the Archangel, the Knight of Lithuania, the White Eagle of Poland); the interior features stained glass by the Detroit Stained Glass Works, with the main altar rising from the floor and depicting St. Francis, the Four Evangelists and Michael the Archangel. Side altars honor Mary and Jesus.
- Architects: Kastler and Hunter
- Cornerstone: 1903; completed 1905
- Dimensions: 230 ft long × 123 ft wide
- Seating capacity: 1,700
- Materials: Malvern brick, carved Bedford trim
- Style: Italian Renaissance
- Stained glass: Detroit Stained Glass Works
- Construction cost: ~$150,000 (≈ $2 million in 1998 dollars)
- Solemnly consecrated June 4, 1929
Parish Staff
The parish staff includes the pastor and lay ministry coordinators for religious education, youth and Hispanic ministries.
- Reverend Bernardo Cruz — Pastor (Family-Pastor, Southwest Vicariate Family 1 since July 1, 2021)
- Yolanda Cruz (Mago) — staff
- Jannet Castro — Director of Religious Education
- Jeff Stanton — staff
- Gabriel De Alba — staff
Religious Education / Educación Religiosa
The Department of Religious Education serves children and youth under 17 from September through May, with classes offered in English at St. Francis and in Spanish at St. Hedwig. Written registration per child is required; tuition must be paid in full at registration unless prior arrangements are made. The Director of Religious Education is Jannet Castro. Office hours are Tuesday–Friday 4:00–6:00 pm and Saturday 9:00 am–3:00 pm; registration is held in July and August.
- Sunday 9:00–10:00 am — English, St. Francis Hall
- Tuesday — 2nd year Confirmation, 7:00–7:55 am, English, St. Francis
- Wednesday — 1st Communion, 7:00–7:55 am, English, St. Francis; also 6:00–7:00 pm in Spanish at St. Hedwig's Rectory
- Thursday — General Religious Education, 7:00–7:55 am, English, St. Francis
- Director of Religious Education: Jannet Castro
- Adult Catechumenate (Catecúmenos) available
Ministries / Ministerios
The parish supports an active roster of Hispanic and youth ministries, reflecting its bilingual identity and the merged community.
- Conquistando las Naciones para Cristo
- El Buen Pastor
- Grupo de Jóvenes (Youth Group)
- Movimiento Juan XXIII
- Ministerio Hispano ADO
- Religious Education (children and adults)
Office, Location & Contact
The parish main office ("Oficina Principal") is in the building connected to St. Hedwig Church, with the entrance off the parking lot ("A un lado del templo de Santa Eduviges, con entrada por el estacionamiento"). Parish Office Hours are Tuesday through Friday 9:00 am – 3:00 pm (closed Monday, Saturday and Sunday).
- Main Office: 3245 Junction Ave., Detroit, MI 48210
- St. Francis Church: 4500 Wesson St., Detroit, MI 48210
- Phone: (313) 894-5409
- Fax: (313) 894-4730
- Office Hours: Tuesday–Friday 9:00 am – 3:00 pm (Mon/Sat/Sun closed)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Romuald (R.) Byzewski1889–1898
Founding pastor, sent by Bishop Foley from St. Casimir; organized the parish, built the original school/church/hall on Campbell & Buchanan.
- Fr. Felix Kieruj1898–1919
Built the new school, rectory, convent and parish hall (school grew to 22 classrooms). Died in Colorado Springs on April 23, 1919.
- Fr. Alexander Grudzinski1919–
Took over May 24, 1919; paid off the $160,000 parish debt in nine years without fundraisers. Church solemnly consecrated June 4, 1929.
- Fr. Sigismund Kowalczyk1970–
Sixth pastor; led the parish through Vatican II implementation.
- Fr. Dennis J. Nowinski1984–
Seventh pastor; assumed duties July 2, 1984 (per 1985 parish profile).
- Fr. Robert J. Wojciechowski
Listed as current pastor in 2010 parish profile.
- Fr. Bernardo Cruzcurrent
Current pastor (parish website); designated Family-Pastor of Southwest Vicariate Family 1 effective July 1, 2021.