Detroit, MI

Fire ravages former site of historic Detroit church

Published

6 months ago

June 3, 2025

Fire ravages former site of historic Detroit church

Detroit officials are investigating what sparked a fire that burned through a historic, century-old church building for more than four hours Tuesday.

The Detroit Fire Department received a call at 12:34 a.m. about a blaze at the site of the former St. Agnes Catholic Church, at the corner of Rosa Parks and LaSalle Gardens, said Corey McIsaac, the DFD director of media relations.

Within four minutes, the department was at the scene and Fire Chief David Nelson called a second alarm, activating more crews, McIsaac said.

While they managed to preserve the “structural integrity” of the vacant building, she added, its old rectory next door was rendered a total loss.

Due to the condition of the building, firefighters were not able to get inside, McIsaac said. “They did an awesome job, and due to their hard work and great work, they were able to preserve the structure of the church building.”

There were no injuries to residents or firefighters Tuesday night, according to the department.

The St. Agnes Catholic Church has long been considered a community landmark, drawing figures such as Mother Teresa, who visited the building twice, once in June 1979 and once June 1981, and established a convent for the Missionaries of Charity Sisters at 1969 LaSalle Gardens, according to the Archdiocese of Detroit.

The St. Agnes Parish was established in 1913 by Bishop John Foley and the spot celebrated its first Mass in 1914 in a frame house a few blocks away from the current site. Construction on the 1,500-seat site designed by the firm Van Leyen, Schilling, Keough & Reynolds started in May 1922, according to the archdiocese.

The church was blessed in June 1924 in a ceremony led by Bishop Michael J. Gallagher. St. Agnes Parish was closed in 1989 and the Martyrs of Uganda Parish was established at the site that year, the AOD said.

The Martyrs of Uganda Parish was closed in 2006, and the property was sold in 2009.

Holly Fournier, the AOD’s media and public relations manager, told The Detroit News: “The Archdiocese of Detroit has had no connection to the property since then and has no information about current ownership or plans for the site.”

In 2022, the Detroit City Planning Commission approved a recommendation to the City Council to approve a rezoning request to redevelop the 5-acre site, according to Historic Detroit.

afayad@detroitnews.com

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Detroit, MI

Pistons’ Cade Cunningham provides Christmas joy to Detroit families

Published

5 hours ago

December 8, 2025

Press Room

Pistons’ Cade Cunningham provides Christmas joy to Detroit families

Detroit — Cade Cunningham has fond memories of looking up to the athletes who impacted his community when he was growing up in Arlington, Texas. In a city where Dirk Nowitzki was at the peak of his career with the Dallas Mavericks, Cunningham remembers several Dallas Cowboys players visiting his school during the holiday season.

Watching professional athletes instilled in him a desire to one day give back to the community through his own humanitarian efforts. On Sunday afternoon, the now-All-NBA guard hosted “A Cade Christmas” — a holiday giveback event dedicated to helping hundreds of Detroit youth and their families. The event took place at the Detroit Union Carpenters and Millwrights Skilled Training Center.

“This is special. This is the cool part about doing what I get to do, which is to give back with the resources I have. This is something me and my family love to do,” Cunningham said. “I was once in their shoes, and I always appreciated when people came back, or just seeing the players that I looked up to and admired. It is crazy that I am in this position now, but I try to do the best I can and give back in the best way that I can.”

Cade and the Cunningham family sponsored the event, which featured a festive Christmas party atmosphere complete with games, food and music for all attending families. Children also had the opportunity to take pictures with Cunningham and play a quick game of pop-a-shot.

There were dozens of donation gifts, from Detroit Pistons-branded basketballs to brand-new bicycles for every child. Parents received grocery and gas gift cards, along with a free gift-wrapping station. The Christmas celebration also included a game truck, face painters, balloon artists and a photo booth.

“This was amazing, I loved this event,” Kalaundra Hall said. “I loved that my students and kids got a chance to participate in this, coming out, and have a nice holiday event before Christmas, and of course, meet Cade Cunningham.”

Hall continued, “These students don’t get many opportunities like this on a daily basis. How often do they get to meet an NBA athlete? Some kids may not even be experiencing Christmas, but they get to come here and get something. This helped kids come out, have a good time, meet some friends, play — this was great for them.”

“A Cade Christmas” partnered with Give Merit — a Detroit-based youth organization that champions educational access and mentorship for underserved students.

A Cade Christmas was one of Cunningham’s many examples of his commitment to the city of Detroit as the face of the Pistons franchise.

“I’ve been blessed with the resources that I have to allow me to do things like this, and it is only right to give back,” Cunningham said. “As a kid, I always thought, ‘Once I make it, this is going to be something that I would love to do.’ It’s amazing. I am really thankful.”

coty.davis@detroitnews.com

@cotydavis_24

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Detroit, MI

Central Michigan will play in Detroit’s GameAbove Sports Bowl

Published

17 hours ago

December 7, 2025

Press Room

Central Michigan will play in Detroit’s GameAbove Sports Bowl

Detroit ― Central Michigan will play Northwestern in the GameAbove Sports Bowl at Detroit’s Ford Field on Dec. 26, it was announced Sunday.

The game starts at 1 p.m. and will be televised by ESPN.

The Chippewas finished 7-5 this season, including wins in four of their last six games. Northwestern’s 6-6 record included a 24-22 loss to Michigan on Nov. 15 at Wrigley Field. CMU also played the Wolverines, losing 63-3 on Sept. 13 at Michigan Stadium.

Joe Labas led the Chippewas’ offense this season, completing 68.9 percent of his passes for 12 TD against six interceptions.

This is a developing story. Come back to detroitnews.com soon for more.

GameAbove Sports Bowl

CENTRAL MICHIGAN VS. NORTHWESTERN

➤ Kickoff: 1 p.m. Dec. 26, Ford Field, Detroit

➤ TV: ESPN

➤ Records: Central Michigan 7-5; Northwestern 6-6

➤ Bowl history: This is the 11th playing of this version of Detroit’s bowl game, previously known as the Quick Lane Bowl. Toledo beat Pittsburgh, 48-46, in six overtimes in 2024. This is CMU’s 14th bowl game; the Chippewas are 4-9.

tpaul@detroitnews.com

@tonypaul1984

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Detroit, MI

Meijer Postgame Comments 12/6/25 | Detroit Red Wings

Published

1 day ago

December 7, 2025

Press Room

Meijer Postgame Comments 12/6/25 | Detroit Red Wings

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