Research conducted by The University of Michigan-Dearborn Pluralism Project.

History

Most Holy Trinity, founded in 1834, was the first English-language Roman Catholic parish in Detroit. The earliest parishioners of the church were Irish immigrants who had settled in the area, but had attended nearby Ste. Anne Church, the city's French-language parish. Unable to obtain an Irish priest, Bishop Rese appointed a German, Father Martin Kundig, to organize the parish. Father Kundig's skills were put to the test as the city faced a cholera epidemic that began in 1832, and the first Most Holy Trinity Church was converted into a hospital. During the epidemic, Detroit lost one of its most important early religious leaders, Father Gabriel Richard. In 1835, Father Bernard O'Cavanaugh, the first Irish priest was assigned to Most Holy Trinity.

Surrounding Community

The neighborhood surrounding Most Holy Trinity is known as Corktown, the county in Ireland from which most of Detroit's Irish immigrants came. As the Irish became increasingly assimilated into Detroit's larger culture and moved into other areas of the city, Corktown became home to a variety of ethnic groups, including Maltese, African Americans, and Mexicans. To meet the needs of the growing Mexican population in the area, the archdiocese assigned a priest to the parish who would become identified with it for decades--Father Clement Kern (1907-1983). Under Father Kern, Most Holy Trinity became a major center for Latino American residents in southwest Detroit.

Services to the Community

The church currently has a library, cafeteria, and offers medical care through the Cabrini Medical Clinic where over 50 physicians and nurses volunteer. These health-care workers currently see about 75 patients a week and give up to $300 in medication to each patient who comes through the doors. This tradition dates back to the beginnings of the parish when the church became the first hospital in the Northwest Territories of the United States. The church sponsors a mothers and tots program every Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. Most Holy Trinity School provides education for children K-4; St. Vincent de Paul provides grades 5-8. The Open Door Program operates daily for the homeless, providing them a place to take showers, hygiene kits, a change of clothing, and assistance in finding jobs. The church also operates a legal clinic, assisting immigrants to take steps towards obtaining U.S. citizenship. Alcoholic Anonymous also meets at the church. During the 1960s the parish helped to save homes that were being threatened by the construction of expressways and widening of streets in the area. In addition, working with local banks, the parish helped to develop a cooperative housing for low income residents. Under Father Kern's leadership, Most Holy Trinity Church took a strong stand on the rights of workers, and identified with labor unions and the efforts of farm workers who were being organized by Cesar Chavez.

Activities and Schedule

Spanish-speaking residents make up the majority of the parish (75%); the rest is African American and white. Masses at Most Holy Trinity are offered in both Spanish and English: on Saturday at 5:00 p.m. in English; Sunday 9:30 a.m. in Spanish; and Sunday at 11:00 a.m. bilingual. On the first Sunday of the month, the 11:00 mass utilizes mariachi music.