Encyclopedia Of Detroit
Gesu Roman Catholic Church
In November 1920, John P. McNichols, S.J., the newly appointed president of the University of Detroit, traveled from Jefferson Avenue in downtown Detroit to Six Mile Road (McNichols Road) to purchase land for a new campus location. He acted on an agreement made in 1877 with the Bishop of the Diocese of Detroit that in the event the college moved to another part of the city from Jefferson Avenue, the Jesuits were empowered to build a church near the new college and organize a parish.
Gesu Parish was founded as Gesu Mission in a remodeled farmhouse on this property. On March 19, 1922, the first Mass was celebrated in the temporary chapel of the farmhouse in front of 25 people. Less than two years later, the chapel was enlarged to accommodate 300 people, and plans were underway to establish a school. In the fall of 1925, Gesu School opened its doors to 200 students. In August 1924, the Diocese of Detroit and the Jesuit Community assigned the first resident pastor, and Gesu Mission became Gesu Parish.
The next major building venture for Gesu Parish was the construction of the present church. Once the parish outgrew the farmhouse, masses were held in the basement of the school from1925 to 1935. The cornerstone of the new building was laid in 1934 and the first Mass was held August 15, 1935. The church is considered to be a modern adaptation of Spanish Mission architecture.
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