DETROIT’s Irish history up close and personal

It is in the name: Corktown. That is where the first influx of Irish migrants came from, creating Detroit’s oldest neighbourhood in 1832 in the First and Eighth Wards, an area west of downtown bounded by Vernor Highway, the Detroit River, Third Street, and Eighth Street., when their number included Samuel and George Ford, grand-uncles of the famous Henry Ford. It eventually known as Corktown by 1853 due to its predominantly County Cork immigrants.

In the seven generations since, the Irish community in Detroit has played a significant role in shaping the city’s cultural, religious, and social landscape, particularly through its contributions to the Catholic Church.

The Irish began arriving in Detroit in significant numbers in the 1820s, following the completion of the Erie Canal (1825), which facilitated westward migration from New York. The Great Famine accelerated this influx, with many Irish settling in Detroit by the late 1830s. By 1850, one in seven Detroiters was Irish, making them the city’s largest ethnic group, with a population of about 4,000 in a city of 21,000.

1825: The opening of the Erie Canal made Detroit accessible, drawing Irish immigrants escaping economic hardship and religious persecution in Ireland. Initially, they worshipped at Ste. Anne de Détroit (founded 1701), the city’s first Catholic church, attending early Sunday Masses before French services. By 1833, the Catholic Diocese of Detroit was established, with Frederic Rese (1791–1871) as its first bishop, marking a formal structure for Catholic growth.
1834: Founding of Most Holy Trinity Parish. The Irish needed an English-speaking parish, as Ste. Anne’s services were in French. In 1834, Bishop Frederic Rese purchased the First Protestant Society Church (built 1819) at Woodward Avenue and Larned Street, establishing Most Holy Trinity as Detroit’s first English-speaking Catholic parish. It served as a cultural and religious hub for the Irish in Corktown. The building was converted into a hospital during the 1834 cholera epidemic, delaying its dedication until June 14, 1835, under Father Bernard O’Cavanaugh (died1847).
1840s: Corktown’s Growth and Relocation of Most Holy Trinity: By the 1840s, the Irish population surged, with 47% of the Eighth Ward (Corktown) being Irish by 1853. Most Holy Trinity outgrew its original site, and in 1849, the wooden church was moved on rollers to Sixth and Porter Streets. A new Gothic Revival church, designed by Irish-American architect Patrick C. Keely (1816–1896), was built between 1855 and 1866 at a cost of $30,000, becoming Michigan’s tallest building (170 feet) until 1871.
1848: Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral: To accommodate the growing English-speaking Catholic population, Bishop Peter Paul Lefevere (1804–1869) laid the cornerstone for Saints Peter and Paul Church in 1844, completed in 1848 as Detroit’s cathedral (until 1877). It served both Irish and French-Canadian parishioners, with many from Most Holy Trinity transferring here. The cathedral, at 60 E. Jefferson Avenue, remains Detroit’s oldest surviving church building.
1860s–1870s: St. Patrick’s Day and Cultural Identity: By the 1860s, St. Patrick’s Day celebrations became prominent, reflecting both religious devotion and civic pride. Parades featured groups like the 15th Regiment of the Irish Republican Army (1868) and the Montgomery Rifles (1877), showcasing Irish nationalism. A schism emerged in the 1870s, with some emphasizing the day’s religious significance and others its civic aspects, but Corktown remained the epicentre of Irish culture. By the 1870s, musical performances at Most Holy Trinity, including Beethoven and Haydn masses with a 16-piece orchestra, drew diverse crowds.
1869: St. Vincent de Paul Paris: The Irish population in Corktown grew, prompting the establishment of St. Vincent de Paul Parish in 1869 at 14th Street and Michigan Avenue, serving Irish Catholics alongside German neighbours. It closed in 1965, merging with St. Boniface to form St. Boniface-St. Vincent, which was demolished in 1996.
1924: St. Brigid Parish: As Irish families migrated northwest from Corktown, the Archdiocese established St. Brigid Parish in 1924 to serve this community. Located at 12300 Schaefer Highway, it was designed by Diehl & Diehl Architects (1948–1949) and reflected the Irish diaspora’s spread into new neighbourhoods. The parish closed in 2013, merging with St. Gregory the Great to form St. Moses the Black. The church was sold and is now home to the High Praise Cathedral of Faith, run by Apostle Clarnece and Prophetess Joyce Haddon.
1967: Decline Post-Riots: The 1967 Detroit riots the most destructive of any U.S. city that decade,accelerated white flight, including many Irish families, to suburbs like Redford and Livonia. Parishes like St. Agnes (founded 1914) and St. Brigid saw dwindling congregations, with St. Agnes closing in 1987. Corktown’s Irish population declined, though Most Holy Trinity adapted by serving Mexican, Maltese, and Mohawk communities.
2020s: Cultural Revival: The annual St. Patrick’s Day Mass at Most Holy Trinity, held on March 17, continues to draw Irish descendants, with events like the 2024 Mass led by Deacon Patrick McDonald (b. 1939) and Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron (b. 1948). The Ancient Order of Hibernians and Celtic Pipes and Drums maintain Irish traditions. In 2020, Most Holy Trinity opened a new community centre, funded by a parish family, reinforcing its role as a cultural hub.

Lord Edward Fitzgerald (1763-1798) sojourned amongst the Indians near Detroit in June 1789, and was made an honorary chief of the Bear Tribe . Another commander James Caldwell (1720–1784) was stationed here.

Andrew McReynolds from Dungannon, cousin of a cousin of President Andrew Jackson, was personally commissioned by Lincoln in the American civil war to raise a cavalry regiment from Michigan, he mover to Grand Rapids and died there. Fr Charles O’Reilly became treasurer of the National League of America in the 1880s. Donegal woman Bridget Diver settled there and became known as ‘Michigan Bridget’ the Irishwoman carrying the standard on civil war battlefields.

One of the community’s most influential members was Michael W. O’Brien President of Peoples Savings Bank. worth $4 million in 1890, and buried in a prominent mausoleum in Mount Elliott Cemetery. Lawrence Verdon, who lived on Michigan Avenue was another Irish independence activist in the 1860s.

John Boyle read his epic civil war poem here in 1882. WB Yeats spoke here in 1914, passing through Michigan Central station.

Jeremiah Curtin (1835–1906), folklorist, writer, translator and linguist was born here. Revolutionaries William Lomasney, (1841–84) and Robert Monteith, (1879–1956) sought refuge three.

Detroit won the North American Board Gaelic football championship for the only time in 1969. John Kerry O’Donnell had worked in the city for a time in the 1920s and acquired his moniker there, to distinguish him from the many other John o’Donnells from ireland working on the auto assembly lines.

Irish influence in Detroit politics is less marked than might be expected. Current mayor Mike Duggan is of a Kilkenny grandfather. Frank Murphy who was mayor 1930-33 was first generation Cork. New York born mayor Zina Pitcher was a prominent supporter of Irish independence in the 1840s. In the British days Detroit had two Irish born governors, Patrick Murray from Westmeath and Richard England from Ennis.

Peter Paul Lefevere (1804–1869) grew the diocese from 28 to 84 churches and from 12 to 60 schools, significantly supporting the Irish population. His focus on infrastructure and education provided stability for Irish immigrants, fostering their integration through Catholic institutions. He is buried at Saints Peter and Paul Church.
Bernard O’Cavanaugh (died1847): First Pastor of Most Holy Trinity (1834–1839). As one of the diocese’s few Irish priests, O’Cavanaugh led the new parish, dedicating it in 1835 after its use as a cholera hospital. He ministered to the growing Irish community in Corktown, providing spiritual and social support. His leadership established Most Holy Trinity as the Irish community’s spiritual centre, fostering cohesion during a time of immigration and hardship.
Patrick McDonald (b. 1939): Deacon at St. Patrick Parish, Brighton; longest-serving permanent deacon in the U.S. (ordained 1972) delivered the homily at the 2024 St. Patrick’s Day Mass at Most Holy Trinity, emphasizing St. Patrick’s evangelization and Irish heritage. His leadership connects modern Irish descendants to their roots. Reinforces the Irish community’s ongoing connection to Most Holy Trinity through annual celebrations, bridging historical and contemporary faith.

Churches and Their Significance

Ste. Anne de Détroit (Founded July 26, 1701): Established by Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac, it is the second-oldest continuously operating Catholic parish in the U.S. Initially serving French settlers, it hosted Irish Catholics for early Masses before Most Holy Trinity’s founding. The current neo-Gothic basilica, designed by Albert E. French, was built in 1886 and designated a minor basilica by Pope Francis on March 1, 2020. Irish immigrants worshipped here in the 1820s–1830s, laying the groundwork for their own parish. Active, located at 1000 St. Anne Street, Detroit.
Most Holy Trinity Church (Founded 1834): Founded as Detroit’s first English-speaking Catholic parish for the Irish, it moved to Sixth and Porter Streets in 1849, with the current church completed in 1866. It features Michigan’s oldest pipe organ (1867) and hosted the city’s first electric light display in 1875. Restored after a 1985 fire, it remains a cultural hub. The heart of Corktown’s Irish community, it hosted St. Patrick’s Day events and served as a centre for Irish acculturation. Active, located at 1050 Porter Street, Detroit.
Saints Peter and Paul Church (Founded 1844, Completed 1848): Built as Detroit’s cathedral (1848–1877) under Bishop Peter Paul Lefevere, it served Irish and French-Canadian Catholics. It is the city’s oldest surviving church building. Absorbed many Irish parishioners from Most Holy Trinity, supporting their integration into broader Catholic life. Active, located at 60 E. Jefferson Avenue, Detroit.
St. Vincent de Paul Church (Founded 1869, Closed 1965): Established to serve Corktown’s growing Irish population, it merged with St. Boniface in 1965 and was demolished in 1996. Provided a second Irish parish in Corktown, reflecting the community’s expansion. Demolished, site near Michigan Avenue and 14th Street.
St. Brigid Church (Founded 1924, Closed 2013): Established for Irish migrants moving northwest, it merged with St. Gregory the Great in 2013 to form St. Moses the Black. Served the Irish diaspora as they left Corktown, maintaining cultural ties. St. Brigid Catholic Church in Detroit was founded in 1924 to serve the Irish Catholic community in the northwest part of the city. The parish complex included a church, school, and other buildings. The church, dedicated in 1949, was designed by Diehl and Diehl and is known for its Greek cross shape and terra cotta details by Corrado Parducci. The church building is now home to High Praise Cathedral of Faith. The parochial school was sold to a charter school. Located at 12300 Schaefer Highway, Detroit.

Sites to visit

Most Holy Trinity Church (1050 Porter Street, Detroit): The historic heart of Detroit’s Irish community, this Gothic Revival church (1855–1866) features a 170-foot tower, an 1867 pipe organ, and stained glass from 1870. A 1985 fire led to a redecorated sanctuary with shamrock motifs symbolizing its Irish roots. A small memorial in the nave displays artefacts from its 1834 cholera hospital days. Open for Masses and tours (check thehenryford.org for schedules). The annual St. Patrick’s Day Mass draws Irish descendants.
Clement Kern Statue (Porter and Bagley Streets, Detroit): A statue honouring Father Clement Kern (1908–1983), pastor of Most Holy Trinity, who championed immigrants and social justice. Unveiled in 1983, it stands as a tribute to Corktown’s Irish legacy and Kern’s inclusive ministry. Publicly accessible in Corktown.
Basilica of Ste. Anne de Détroit (1000 St. Anne Street, Detroit): Founded in 1701, this neo-Gothic basilica (1886) served early Irish Catholics before Most Holy Trinity’s establishment. Its 2025 restoration by The Catholic Initiative ensures its preservation. Open for Masses, tours, and events; check ste-anne.org for details.
Saints Peter and Paul Church (60 E. Jefferson Avenue, Detroit): Detroit’s cathedral from 1848 to 1877, it served Irish parishioners and remains a testament to their early influence. Its Jesuit community hosts cultural events. Open for services and tours (see ssppjesuit.org).
Corktown Historic District: Bounded by Michigan Avenue, Vernor Highway, Third Street, and Eighth Street, Corktown is Detroit’s oldest neighbourhood, named for County Cork immigrants. Historic homes, pubs like Gaelic League/Irish-American Club, and annual St. Patrick’s Day parades (e.g., March 17, 2025) preserve Irish heritage. Walkable area with historic markers; visit corktowndetroit.org for guides.

Influence on the Catholic Church

The Irish community profoundly shaped Detroit’s Catholic Church, establishing its first English-speaking parish (Most Holy Trinity, 1834) and supporting the diocese’s growth under bishops like Rese and Lefevere. By 1880, the Irish had transformed Detroit’s Catholic landscape, with 84 churches and 60 schools serving a Catholic population of 116,200, largely due to Irish immigration. Their emphasis on education led to parish schools, like Most Holy Trinity’s (1837), one of the oldest continuously operating Catholic schools in the U.S. The Irish also introduced cultural traditions, such as St. Patrick’s Day Masses and parades, which remain vibrant at Most Holy Trinity. Leaders like Clement Kern extended this legacy by advocating for diverse communities, ensuring the church’s adaptability. The acculturation of the Irish through religion, education, and work, as noted in studies, made Catholic institutions central to their integration, leaving a lasting imprint on Detroit’s spiritual and social fabric..

Father Edmund Burke from Portlaooise was the first Catholic Missionary and Vicar-General in Detroit in 1794.

In the early 19th century, English-speaking settlers, including those of British descent from New England, began to challenge the dominance of French in Detroit, initiating the transformation of the French trading village into the modern metropolis. Most Holy Trinity, established as Detroit’s first English-speaking Catholic parish in 1834, reflects this shift, serving as a cultural and religious anchor for the burgeoning Irish community in Corktown.

The parish’s first church, originally built in 1819 for the First Protestant Society, Detroit’s initial Protestant congregation, was designed to accommodate the growing number of New England transplants. Located at Woodward Avenue between Larned and Congress, this non-denominational meetinghouse was purchased in 1834 by Detroit’s first bishop, Frederic Rese (1791–1871), and relocated to Cadillac Square and Bates Street (now the site of Cadillac Tower). Before its use for Catholic worship, the building served as a hospital during the 1834 cholera epidemic, managed by Fr. Martin Kundig (1805–1879).

The structure was adapted for Catholic use by Alpheus White (unknown–unknown), an Irish-born soldier and architect active in Detroit. On June 14, 1835, Bishop Rese dedicated the church to the Most Holy Trinity, entrusting it to Fr. Bernard O’Cavanaugh (unknown–1847), who served as its first pastor.

At the time, “English-speaking Catholic” was synonymous with Irish, as the Irish population dominated this demographic. Throughout the 1830s and 1840s, the influx of Irish and other non-French groups diminished the French influence in Detroit, relegating the city’s founding community to a minority. From 1841 to 1869, Bishop Peter Paul Lefevere (1804–1869) addressed the growing English-speaking Catholic population by commissioning Saints Peter and Paul Church, completed in 1848 as Detroit’s cathedral (until 1877). This new cathedral, located at 60 E. Jefferson Avenue, absorbed many Irish parishioners from Most Holy Trinity.

The Great Famine in Ireland (1845–1852) triggered a surge in Irish immigration, particularly to Detroit’s western outskirts, where Corktown emerged as a vibrant Irish enclave. In 1849, the original Most Holy Trinity meetinghouse was relocated to Porter and Sixth Streets to serve this expanding community. A new Gothic Revival church, designed by Irish-American architect Patrick C. Keely (1816–1896), was constructed between 1855 and 1866. Keely, a prolific designer of Irish-Catholic churches across America, created a structure that remains largely unchanged externally. The parish, initially poor, relied on events like a 1859 picnic reported by the Detroit Free Press to fund completion.

A surviving feature from the original 1835 church is the communion rail, believed to have been crafted during the conversion of the Protestant meetinghouse, noted for its classical style and fine workmanship. The church’s pipe organ, built in 1867 by Andreas Moeller of Detroit and restored in 1978 with a repainted “wood grain” case, is the city’s oldest.

In the early 1870s, the church underwent significant renovations costing $10,000, adding the current stained-glass windows, including the Trinity window over the altar designed by Detroit artist Ignatius Schott (unknown–unknown) for Friedrichs & Staffin (later Detroit Stained Glass Works), and the Stations of the Cross paintings.

A tragic event marked the parish’s history on July 22, 1880, when the steamer Mamie, carrying Most Holy Trinity’s altar boys on an outing, collided with another vessel on the Detroit River, killing 12 boys and five adults. A white bronze plaque, installed in 1881, depicts a boy carried to heaven by an angel, commemorating the tragedy.

Fr. Aloysius Bleyenberg (1821–1887), pastor from 1869, was a notable figure, innovating in electric lighting by developing arc lamps. On Christmas Day 1875, he showcased Detroit’s first public electric light display at Most Holy Trinity’s 8:00 AM Mass, illuminating the altar.
In August 1887, Fr. James Savage (1855–1937) became pastor, serving for 50 years until 1937. Known as “Dean Savage” for his role as dean of Detroit’s west side, his legacy is honoured by Savage Park at Trumbull and Abbott and a marble plaque in the church’s vestibule. In 1905, during his tenure, the parish celebrated the church’s 50th anniversary with extensive remodelling, including full electrification.
Fr. Clement Kern (June 12, 1907–August 15, 1983), pastor from 1947 to 1977, navigated a shifting demographic as Corktown’s Irish population declined, serving Maltese and Latino communities. Kern, dubbed the “conscience of Corktown,” resisted urban renewal projects that demolished parts of the neighbourhood in the 1950s, including areas south of Porter Street, and the construction of the Lodge Freeway, which bisected the parish. His advocacy for the poor solidified Most Holy Trinity’s social mission. A statue of Kern stands at Porter and Bagley Streets.
Fr. Jay Samonie (1927–2013) succeeded Kern in 1977, overseeing the church’s most extensive restoration since its construction, culminating in a 1987 rededication. Fr. John Nowlan (1935–2004) and Fr. Thomas Sutherland (1939–2019) served briefly, followed by Msgr. Russell Kohler (1939–2016), pastor from 1991 to 2016, who died on Good Friday 2016.
Msgr. Chuck Kosanke (b. 1950), the current pastor, continues to lead Most Holy Trinity, maintaining its commitment to serving the poor and fostering a vibrant future for Detroit’s diverse Catholic community.

Corktown today

Today’s visitors to Detroit’s Corktown, the city’s oldest neighbourhood, can expect a blend of historical charm and modern energy along Michigan Avenue’s red brick pavers, laid in the 1890s. The area, named for Irish immigrants from County Cork who settled in the 1830s, offers Federal-style homes and Victorian townhouses, some dating to 1840, like the worker’s row house on Sixth Street. Dining options include Slows Bar BQ, known for its Yardbird sandwich since 2005, and Lady of the House, opened in 2017, serving Irish-inspired gourmet dishes like shaved ham and potato doughnuts. Two James Spirits, Detroit’s first licensed distillery since Prohibition, founded in 2012, provides sustainable cocktails using solar energy. Coffee lovers can visit Astro Coffee, relaunched in 2024 with Anthology Coffee pour-overs, or Folk Detroit, a 2017 café offering herb frittatas. For entertainment, UFO BAR, rebranded in 2024 under new ownership, hosts indie music and serves Atomic Dogs with vegan options. Momento Gelato, opened in 2019, offers natural Italian-style ice cream next door. Shoppers can explore Eldorado General Store, stocked with vintage boots and crystals since 2018, or Detroit Athletic Co. for local sports gear. The Corner Ballpark, built in 2016 on the former Tiger Stadium site, hosts community events, while Ernie Harwell Park, established in 2000, allows visitors to walk the historic baseball field.

In 2025, Corktown welcomes new developments. The Detroit Mobility and Innovation Corridor (DMIC), a $70 million project along Michigan Avenue, began construction in 2024, adding bus-only lanes, bike paths, and autonomous vehicle testing, with completion expected by late 2025. Michigan Central Station, restored by Ford Motor Company and reopened on June 6, 2024, now serves as a mobility hub with office spaces and plans for public retail and dining by mid-2025. The AC Hotel Detroit at the Bonstelle, a boutique hotel in nearby Midtown opened in January 2025, offers easy access to Corktown. Corktown Health Hazel Park Clinic, an adaptive reuse of a warehouse, opened in June 2025, providing community healthcare. Detroit City FC’s planned soccer-specific stadium, announced in 2024 for the former Southwest Detroit Hospital site, aims for a 2027 opening but will see initial groundwork in 2025. The Godfrey Hotel, a 227-room property with a rooftop café, opened in 2024, enhancing lodging options. Rosette Market + Cafe, launched in 2024, offers fresh pastries and local produce. These additions, alongside events like the March 9, 2025, St. Patrick’s Day Parade and December’s Corktown Aglow, ensure a dynamic experience for visitors.