Sweetest Heart of Mary Catholic Church, Detroit

The Sweetest Heart of Mary Roman Catholic Church, located on Russell Street in Detroit, is a significant landmark in the city's central East side. Established in the late 19th century, it has played a pivotal role in serving Detroit's Polish immigrant community.

In the mid-19th century, Polish immigrants in Detroit, frustrated by language barriers at Saint Joseph's parish, formed Saint Albertus Parish in 1871. Led by Father Dominic Kolasinski in 1882, they built a new church by 1885. After internal conflicts and his brief reassignment, Kolasinski returned in 1888 to establish the Sweetest Heart of Mary Parish, which joined the Detroit Diocese in 1894.

Construction of the current church building began in 1890, designed by the architectural firm Spier and Rohns. The structure exemplifies the Late Gothic Revival style, featuring red brick construction in a cruciform shape with a cross-gabled roof. The facade includes a rusticated stone lower level with a triple portal and pointed arch structure, flanked by twin towers topped with identical spires. Its notable stained glass windows, crafted by Detroit Stained Glass Works, include depictions of Jesus in a carpenter shop, Saint Vincent de Paul, and the award-winning Holy Family window from the 1893 World's Fair. The church was dedicated on December 24, 1893.

Throughout the 20th century, the Sweetest Heart of Mary Church served as a cornerstone for Detroit's Polish community, offering spiritual guidance and preserving cultural traditions. In 2013, as part of a diocesan reorganization, the church merged with Saint Josaphat to form the Mother of Divine Mercy Parish. Today, it continues to be an active place of worship, hosting regular Masses and community events that honor its Polish heritage.

The church's historical and architectural significance has been formally recognized. It was designated a Michigan State Historic Site in 1974 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. These designations underscore its importance as a cultural and historical landmark in Detroit.