Palmer Woods in Detroit in Wayne County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Bishop's Residence
Side 1
This Tudor Revival residence was constructed in the mid-1920s. The Boston architectural firm of Maginnis and Walsh designed the house for the Catholic bishop of Detroit during the tenure of Michael J. Gallagher. Its ecclesiastical origins are visible in the decorative features. The exterior medallions, stained-glass windows, the rooftop copper statue of St. Michael the Archangel battling Satan, and the carved Franciscan monks kneeling in prayer at the base of the main staircase demonstrate the house's original purpose. The interior woodwork and plastering are believed to have been crafted by European artisans. The decorative tile was manufactured by Pewabic Pottery of Detroit. The Bishop's Residence is part of the Palmer Woods National Register Historic District.
Side 2
In 1924 - 1926 this house was built as the official residence of Michael J. Gallagher (1866 - 1937), the Catholic bishop of Detroit. In 1937, Detroit became an archdiocese and Edward Cardinal Mooney resided here as archbishop until he died unexpectedly in Rome in 1958. The following year John Francis Dearden, the bishop of Pittsburgh, was appointed to the See of Detroit. He retired in 1980 and lived here until his death in 1988. No longer needed as an episcopal residence, the house was sold by the archdiocese in 1989. In order to convert the house for use as a private residence, the archdiocese removed all religious objects from the house -- the papal throne, relics, the altar and the stations of the cross -- and declared the ground "profane" (no langer hallowed).
Erected 1995 by Michigan Historical Center, Michigan Department of State. (Marker Number S609.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Churches & Religion. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1924.
Location. 42° 26.053′ N, 83° 7.703′ W. Marker is in Detroit, Michigan, in Wayne County. It is in Palmer Woods. Marker is at the intersection of Lucerne Drive and Wellesley Drive, on the right when traveling north on Lucerne Drive. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1880 Wellesley Drive, Highland Park MI 48203, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Michigan's First Tri-level Intersection (approx. 0.9 miles away); The First Mile of Concrete Highway (approx. 1.4 miles away); World War I Memorial Clock Tower (approx. 1˝ miles away); Woodward Ave. Toll Gates (approx. 1˝ miles away); 100 Year Anniversary (approx. 1.8 miles away); Ferndale School (approx. 1.8 miles away); Ferndale Center Building (approx. 1.8 miles away); The Professional Building (approx. 1.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Detroit.
Also see . . .
1. Bishop's Residence. Web page on the Detroit: the History and Future of the Motor City website. (Submitted on July 31, 2018, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)
2. Palmer Woods Historic District. Encyclopedia of Detroit website entry (Submitted on April 20, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
3. Michael Gallagher (bishop). Wikipedia article (Submitted on July 31, 2018, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)
4. Edward Aloysius Mooney. Wikipedia article (Submitted on July 31, 2018, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)
5. John Dearden. Wikipedia article (Submitted on July 31, 2018, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 30, 2018, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 1,507 times since then and 243 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 31, 2018, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.