APRIL 2024

claim to the first Christian nation. The
history of their religious oppression includes
the Persian Empire, which tried
to forcibly covert them, and the Ottoman
Empire, which nearly erased them. They
escaped to America and settled in metro
Detroit. But they had no church.
In an act of solidarity that local
faith communities continue to exhibit,
St. John’s Episcopalian Church
on Woodward in Detroit allowed the
Armenian worship community to hold
services there until 1931, when the first
Armenian church was built.
Detroit is home to a vibrant array
of immigrant churches that reflect the
city’s status as a melting pot of cultures
and faiths. From the Polish Cathedralstyle
architecture of St. Florian Church,
built by Polish immigrants in the early
20th century, to the history-rich halls of
Second Baptist Church, founded by 13
African Americans in 1836 and serving
CHALDEAN
STORY
This report is made possible with generous support from
Michigan Stories, a Michigan Humanities Grants initiative.
as a stop on the Underground Railroad,
each immigrant church tells a unique
story of resilience, community, and cultural
identity.
Observing the timeline of Detroit’s
historic churches is like watching the
community develop in stages. These
churches serve not only as places of
worship but also as centers of cultural
preservation and community engagement,
offering support, resources, and
a sense of belonging to generations of
Detroit residents from diverse backgrounds.
Through their architecture,
traditions, and ongoing contributions
to the fabric of the city, Detroit’s historic
and immigrant churches continue to
play a vital role in shaping the spiritual
and cultural landscape of our city.
The Detroit: The City of Faith film
crew spent time with the “Ignite the
Spirit” group at St. Joseph Chaldean
Catholic Church this past January, capturing
the congregation’s Eucharistic
adoration, meditation and song and
emphasizing the significance of music
to religion. A social media post of
the taping states that, “The melodies,
harmonies, and rhythms in religious
music evokes emotions and creates a
sense of unity among worshipers.”
The film is more than just a historical
retrospective. It’s a celebration of
the enduring faith that sustains Detroit’s
residents through both triumph
and tragedy. From the grassroots efforts
of faith-based organizations to
the innovative approaches to social
justice and community development,
we witness the profound impact of
spirituality on the city’s ongoing revitalization
efforts.
“Having a great deal of admiration
and respect for our Chaldean community
here in Michigan,” states Famie,
“I was so honored to be able to feature
their rich story of faith as well as their
community leadership in our film Detroit:
The City of Faith.”
APRIL 2024 CHALDEAN NEWS 21