Ste. Anne parishioners will worship at Most Holy Trinity for time being as church undergoes interior renovations, HVAC work
DETROIT — Boiler failure has caused the Basilica of Ste. Anne de Detroit in southwest Detroit to pause its regular worship schedule as the parish works to install a new HVAC system.
The parish announced in a Facebook post on Jan. 23 that it will be temporarily moving all Masses, parish group meetings and other aspects of parish life to Most Holy Trinity Parish in Detroit's Corktown neighborhood.
Msgr. Charles Kosanke, rector of Ste. Anne and pastor of both Ste. Anne and Most Holy Trinity, explained the decision.
"Dear friends, last Saturday the boiler for the church, chapel and parish hall at the Basilica of Ste. Anne unexpectedly died — leaving no heat in the church, chapel, or parish hall," Msgr. Kosanke wrote in the Facebook post. "The parish has been trying to keep the boiler repaired for over a decade. Having been evaluated by experts, it is clear that the current boiler cannot be fixed and that we must get an entirely new HVAC system. Unfortunately, even moving as quickly as we are, doing so would take several months to acquire and install."
The historic basilica was already scheduled to undergo restoration work as part of its new partnership with The Catholic Initiative. Msgr. Kosanke said the HVAC installation will change the restoration timeline; while the basilica is unoccupied, scaffolding will soon be installed inside the church, which will require the removal of pews.
Masses will be celebrated at Most Holy Trinity, 1050 Porter St., Detroit, on Saturdays at 5:30 p.m. (English); and on Sundays at 9 a.m. (Spanish), 10:30 a.m. (Spanish) and noon (English). Weekday Masses will continue in Ste. Anne parish office chapel, located at 2630 W. Lafayette St., Detroit. Weddings and funerals will be conducted at Most Holy Trinity.
Ste. Anne parishioners are encouraged to continue to use Ste. Anne envelopes during the offertory, Msgr. Kosanke added.
Earlier this year, an "innovative partnership" was announced between Ste. Anne Parish and The Catholic Initiative, a new nonprofit created by the Pulte Family Charitable Foundation, which will see the nonprofit embark upon a $30 million rehabilitation of the historic basilica, as well as create a $20 million endowment for future capital needs.
As part of the Vatican-approved partnership, ownership of the church building and campus was shifted to a newly formed 501(c)3 organization created for the sole purpose of preserving the historic basilica and property, with The Catholic Initiative assuming all responsibility for ongoing maintenance and renovation.
Msgr. Kosanke asked parishioners to have patience as the parish goes through the renovation process.
"I recognize you come to Ste. Anne because it is not just a church — it represents a special place in your heart and in this community," Msgr. Kosanke said. "The Ste. Anne parish family is very important to me, as I know it is to you. We will all miss having the use of our beautiful church for the time being, but our community will continue to thrive."
