Parish History
-
Sharing Christ since 1926
-
The National Shrine of the Little Flower has been operating as a parish in Royal Oak since 1926, named in honor of St. Thérèse de Lisieux.
Founding pastor, Father Charles Coughlin, brought recognition to the parish through his radio program in the 1930’s. Drawing some controversy from a predominantly non-Catholic area at the time, the parish suffered when two weeks after opening, the Ku Klux Klan burned a cross in front of the Church. In response, the tower, also known as Charity Crucifixion Tower, was built to feature sculptures including a large figure of Christ on the cross. It was meant to symbolize a "cross they could not burn".
Father Coughlin also established a political organization called the National Union for Justice, calling for monetary reforms, the nationalization of major industries and railroads, and protection of the rights of labor — while unfortunately issuing antisemitic commentaries and supporting some policies of Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini. Many bishops, as well as the Vatican, did not sanction his views. Finally in 1939, after the outbreak of World War II, the Roosevelt administration forced the cancellation of his radio program and forbade the dissemination of his newspaper, Social Justice.
Despite the controversy in early years, over the ages, countless men and women have flocked to the church as a strong and faithful parish community. Known by many as a welcoming place of prayer and spiritual renewal, it has also become a landmark in the city of Royal Oak.
In 1998, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops declared the site a National Shrine, one of only five in the country at the time. The designation recognizes a spiritual reality that’s existed at the parish for some time. The church has become a place of worship of extraordinary distinction and a spiritual home for many souls who come from all over to worship in its edifice.
Later in 2014, Pope Francis granted the National Shrine of the Little Flower the honorary title of ‘Minor Basilica’. Read more about the history of the Basilica.
In November 2019, Pope Francis announced the appointment of Msgr. McClory, pastor of the National Shrine of the Little Flower, as the next bishop of Gary, Indiana.
Msgr. McClory was superseded by current pastor, Fr. Joseph Horn.
Pastors in Service National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica:- Fr. Joseph Horn, 2020 - Present
- Msgr. Robert McClory, 2017- 2019
- Fr. Robert J. Fisher, 2014 - 2016
- Msgr. William Easton, 1996 -2013
- Msgr. John Nienstedt, 1993-1995
- Msgr. Alexander Brunett, 1991-1993
- Msgr. John Gordon, 1990
- Fr. Edward Haggerty, 1987-1989
- Fr. Edward J. Prus, 1980-1986
- Fr. Edward A. Belczak, Co-Pastor 1975-1980
- Fr. Edward J. Prus, Co-Pastor 1975-1980
- Fr. James L. Hayes, 1966-1974
- Fr. Charles E. Coughlin, 1926-1965
-
-
History of the Church Building
-
The National Shrine of the Little Flower Catholic Church was originally built in 1926. Designed in the traditional art deco style, the current church was originally built in two stages between 1931 and 1936. Construction was funded by the proceeds of the radio ministry of the controversial pastor Fr. Charles Coughlin, who broadcast from the tower during the 1930s.
Drawing some controversy from a predominantly non-Catholic area at the time, the Church suffered when two weeks after opening, the Ku Klux Klan burned a cross in front of the Church. In response, the art deco tower, also known as Charity Crucifixion Tower, was built with limestone to feature a large figure of Christ on the cross. It was meant to symbolize a "cross they could not burn". The tower was designed by sculptor Rene Paul Chambellan and stands 28 ft. high on the Woodward Avenue façade.
Later, the original wood structure of the main church was destroyed in a fire. The current structure you see today, designed by architect Henry J. McGill, began construction shortly after.
The basilica stands today as the third largest building in Royal Oak.
-
-
Architectural Details of the Building
-
The sides and rear feature windows inside the tower can be lit from within. At the upper corners of the tower are symbols of the Four Evangelists.
Carved below the feet of the figure of Christ are the Seven Last Words of Jesus. Just below them is a doorway with “Charity” and “Christ Crucified” carved above it. On the sides of the doorframe are depictions of items associated with the Passion. The doorway leads to a small balcony which can serve as a pulpit.
On the front are carved depictions of the Archangels Jophiel, Raphael, Michael, Gabriel and Uriel. The pulpit is flanked by depictions of John the Apostle and the Virgin Mary to the left and a Roman Centurion holding a spear and Mary Magdalene on the right. Across the terrace facing the crucifix, a depiction of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux is carved into the surrounding wall. This sculpture is also by Chambellan.
Behind the tower are doors leading to a large chapel that connects the tower with the main sanctuary. The altar of the chapel is within the base of the tower. The octagonal nave seats three thousand on two different levels, with the altar in the center.
The main building is granite and limestone, with exterior and elaborate interior sculptural work by Corrado Parducci, including a lectern, Stations of the Cross, and hand-painted murals by Beatrice Wilczynski. The stunning octagon-shaped granite baptismal font was designed by renowned liturgical artists Robert Rambusch and Mario Agustin Locsin y Montenegro.
-
-
-
