Detroit’s historic St. Josaphat church forced to tear down spire after wind damage

Nov. 19--Add the Detroit skyline to the list of damage and destruction from this week's powerful storms.

The iconic steeple of St. Josaphat Roman Catholic Church, which is visible from Interstate 75, was so damaged by high winds Sunday and Monday that it likely will be removed permanently, according to church officials. At times, the steeple, which towers 200 feet off the ground, could be seen swaying in the wind, said Joe Kohn, a spokesman for the Archdiocese of Detroit.

"There was some immediate concern of whether it would topple," Kohn said today.

The steeple is a familiar part of the Detroit skyline.

"When you drive down 75 you can see this particular spire rising above the city. ... It's a sight seen by multiple millions of people," Kohn said. "It's unfortunate to lose an icon like that."

Safety concerns have prompted authorities to block off Canfield Street, where the 112-year-old church is located. Detroit building officials have condemned the church, at least for now, and an inspection of the inside of the steeple found cracks and other support problems, Kohn said. The steeple is missing slate shingles and the structure is leaning.

Kohn said that the steeple likely will be removed and a new roof put in its place, a project expected to easily cost in the six figures. Church officials expect to begin receiving reports from contractors as early as Wednesday on what exactly will need to be done.

"It's not damaged beyond repair, but it would be a huge expense and well beyond what the parish budget can handle," Kohn said, noting that the congregation has 850 families.

When asked whether the Archdiocese would offer any help, Kohn said insurance assistance is being considered.

St. Josaphat is one of three churches in the Mother of Divine Mercy Parish, and while St. Josaphat remains closed, parishioners can attend either Sweetest Heart of Mary on Russell Street or St. Joseph on Jay Street. The traditional Latin mass which has been held at St. Josaphat will be shifted to St. Joseph until St. Josaphat is reopened, which officials hope can happen by early next year.

According to the parish Web site, the church is named after St. Josaphat Kuntsevych, a Greek Catholic priest who was appointed archbishop of Polotsk, Poland, in 1617 before being martyred and later canonized. The late Victorian Romanesque-style church has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1982 and also has state and city historic designations.

Kohn noted that the interior of the church, aside from the steeple, appears to be in good shape, including the extensive stained glass.

Kevin Piotrowski, parish council president, did not rule out the possibility that a "guardian angel" could help the parish rebuild the steeple, but immediate concerns about safety for those living near the church and the approach of winter make it unlikely that the steeple could be saved.

"Our concern is foremost safety, so a lot of what's driving this is what can we do to resolve that safety concern as soon as possible," he said.

But Piotrowski noted the steeple's significance.

"That steeple is really a beacon for the Catholic faith of Detroit, and Detroit is a city of great faith and has a long history of Catholicism," Piotrowski said.

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