Mapleridge in Detroit in Wayne County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Assumption Roman Catholic Church / Assumption Grotto Church Complex
Assumption Roman Catholic Church
The origins of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Roman Catholic Church can be traced to 1830, when German immigrants first arrived in Detroit. Warned away from cholera-stricken Detroit, they built a log church here in 1832, in what was then the outskirts of the city. Redemptorist missionaries served the Kirche im Wald (Church in the Woods) until it was designated a parish by Bishop Peter Paul Lefevere in 1847. It is the second-oldest parish in Detroit. Father Amandus Vandendriessche, the first full-time pastor, was assigned here in 1852 and immediately began building a permanent structure. Built of brick made on the premises, the church was completed in time for Christmas services that same year.
Assumption Grotto Church Complex
To meet the needs of a growing congregation, this church was begun in 1928. Designed by the Detroit architectural firm Aloys Frank Herman, Incorporated, the limestone-faced, Neo-Gothic, basilica-plan church was dedicated on September 22, 1929. A unique feature of the church grounds is the grotto, a shrine located in the parish cemetery. Father Amandus Vandendriessche, who had served Assumption Church since 1852, visited France in 1876 and was so inspired by the shrine at Our Lady of Lourdes that he decided to create a replica at his own parish. The grotto has attracted visitors since its dedication in June 1881. The entire church complex, which consists of the church, parish house, rectory, cemetery, and grotto, was entered into the National Register of Historic Places in 1991.
Erected 1992 by Bureau of History, Michigan Department of State. (Marker Number L1764.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical date for this entry is September 22, 1929.
Location. 42° 25.689′ N, 82° 58.902′ W. Marker is in Detroit, Michigan, in Wayne County. It is in Mapleridge. Marker is at the intersection of Gratiot Avenue and Mapleridge Street, on the right when traveling north on Gratiot Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 13770 Gratiot Ave, Detroit MI 48205, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Andrew R. Strable Catholic War Veterans Memorial (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Henkel Woods / Toepfer Park (approx. 2.6 miles away); Erin-Warren Fractional District No. 2 School (approx. 2.7 miles away); Base Line Feed Store (approx. 2.7 miles away); St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church (approx. 3 miles away); Eastpointe Veterans Memorial (approx. 3.1 miles away); Immanuel Methodist Episcopal Church (approx. 3.3 miles away); The John Theisen House (approx. 3.6 miles away).
Also see . . . Assumption Roman Catholic Church website. (Submitted on December 22, 2022, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan.)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 8, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 356 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on May 8, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. 6, 7, 8. submitted on December 22, 2022, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.