Do Metro Detroiters cherish the old-world appeal of a graceful church steeple enough to pay for its restoration?
Leaders of St. Josaphat Catholic Church on East Canfield Avenue, founded in 1889, want to find out, Eric D. Lawrence reports in the Free Press:
Despite projected costs that church officials acknowledge would put repair of the wind-damaged structure beyond their reach, the parish is launching a fund-raising campaign to do just that. An 8-foot by 20-foot sign promoting the Save Our Steeple campaign should be in place on the side of the church facing I-75 this week.
Kevin Piotrowski, parish council president, said the outpouring of concern from people across the region who want to save the iconic 112-year-old piece of Detroit’s skyline convinced church officials to try to raise money to save the structure. . . . “We’re hoping people might come to our aid.”
The familiar spire was left teetering after intense winds Nov. 17-18.
Church officials will be given two cost estimates by contractors in the coming days — one to rebuild the steeple and the second to remove it and cap the bell tower, where the steeple sits. Piotrowski said similar projects at other churches — where a steeple was rebuilt — have cost between $750,000 and $1 million, which is more than the parish of 850 families can afford. . . .
A spokesman for the Archdiocese of Detroit has said that St. Josaphat could receive some insurance assistance, but it was not clear how much.
No details for the pending Save Our Steeple drive are in the Free Press. The parish office is at Sweetest Heart of Mary, 4440 Russell St., Detroit, MI 48207. Its phone number is (313) 831-6659.
-- Alan Stamm
Earlier coverage:
