This week we delve into the Pewabic tile work commissioned for The Most Holy Redeemer Church in Detroit, Michigan. This massive edifice was built in 1921 and dedicated in 1923. It was once estimated to be the largest Roman Catholic parish in North America.
Exterior of The Most Holy Redeemer Church
Pewabic tile can be found on the vestry floor, the aisleways, and on the floor of the main altar of the interior. The exterior facade features two lunettes above the doorway–– depicting two angels in prayer with mosaic medallion insets.
Pewabic Co-Founder Mary Chase Perry Stratton writes: “At the time we were executing the library work, we were also making two lunette panels for the exterior of the church of the Holy Redeemer, under the direct supervision of Walter Meier, architect, who was also one of our personal friends.”
Fun Fact: the lunettes from this installation were being crafted at the same time as the Pewabic mosaic tiles for the Detroit Public Library
The words “Gloria in Excelsis” are set in a border of pineapples and annunciation lilies above this lunette are meant to symbolize the birth of Christ. Our 4”x6” Pineapple Tile reminds us of the border along these ambitious tile pieces.
Terra cotta sculpted tile details
Pewabic’s devotional collection of decorative tiles pay tribute to the extensive tile work commissioned in various parishes, cathedrals, churches and basilicas. Most notably, The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception located in Washington, D.C.
Tile work on interior floors of The Most Holy Redeemer Church
Let’s take a closer look at the interior floor installations. Terra cotta, unglazed tile is accented with glazed units modeled to depict symbolic eccelesiastical forms. The Four Evangelists: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are represented by their symbolic forms in these intricate, sculpted tiles.
Four Evangelists tile details (left) and unglazed Pewabic tile on interior floors (right)
This was a huge project for the pottery in 1922. Co-Founder Mary Chase Perry Stratton charged over $12,000 for this project which equates to around $200,000 in 2020.
Exterior with lunette above doorway (left) and Pewabic tile work surrounding interior altar (right)
Our archives team has been working to catalog historic records, images, and correspondences regarding Pewabic tile installations throughout the city and beyond. Do you have a personal connection to The Most Holy Redeemer Church? Would you like to hear more about a particular Pewabic piece or installation? We encourage you to reach out through the comments section, or on our social channels (@Pewabic) as we continue to share highlights of Pewabic’s past and present.
Comments
Color me surprised — yet again. I had no knowledge of Pewabic Pottery in connection to Holy Redeemer while attending high school, or until this moment. My connection to Pewabic Pottery came about 35 years later while working for the National Park Service at Keweenaw National Historical Park in Calumet and Hancock Color me surprised — yet again. I had no knowledge of Pewabic Pottery in connection to Holy Redeemer while attending high school (1966-70), or until this moment. My connection to Pewabic Pottery came about 35 years later while working for the National Park Service at Keweenaw National Historical Park in Calumet. An historic house in Hancock, MI was the childhood home of Mary Chase Perry (Stratton), the co-founder of Detroit’s Pewabic Pottery. Amazing how tangential moments through history often connect within our own lives! , MI. A historic house in Hancock was the childhood home of Mary Chase Perry (Stratton), the co-founder of Detroit’s Pewabic Pottery. I have been in awe of Pewabic Pottery ever since — and now this! Amazing how tangential moments through history often connect within our own lives!
I first have to give gratitude to a fellow classmate, Tom Moody, for directing me to this article… A church is absolutely magnificent and to learn the superiority of the craftsmanship only adds to the spiritual presence one feels there. A true treasure for all .
Was baptized, married and my children and my husband band attended Holy Redeemer. Every time I go to mass there I am still in awe of the peace and beauty of this church. I always feel I am returning home. Love this church.
Holy Redeemer was my parish growing up and I also attended both the grade school and the middle school. I have such fond memories of Holy Redeemer and the nuns and priests whose service to our community will never be forgotten. The church is a lovely church and it wasn’t until fairly recently I realized how important much of the art in the church is. I wish there was a comprehensive book about the art of the churches in Detroit!
Coming from New Jersey to Grosse Pte
Park was a wonderful experience and
I often visited the pottery for gifts and
Just to enjoy the beauty. We bought a house with Pewaibic floors and a duck
Sink and enjoyed our treasured Pewaibic installations.
I attended Holy Redeemer school for 12 years. Class of ‘68. My grandfather was a bricklayer with the construction of the church. My mother was baptized, confirmed and married at Holy Redeemer as were all 5 children.
I remember my husbands family being in awe of the beautiful church. Many wonderful memories
My Grandparents Irene and Joseph Drozanowski, were married at Most Holy Redeemer church in 1916 and raised their family there. (This was before the permanent church was built.
My parents (Francis Droze and Eileen Sullivan). Were both raised in that parish and attended grammar school and high school there and were married there in 1945. I was baptized there (Susan Mary Droze). but moved to Redford.
Thank you for featuring Holy Redeemer, such an important place in the history of Detroit’s immigrant communities! I suggest a Detroit Historical Museum Behind the Scenes tour of this historical gem!
Thank you for posting about this beautiful church. So proud to have gone to high school there and so many masses. Class of ’68.
There were so many buildings in Detroit that had Pewabic tile in them. In my parents home in Detroit, our hearth was Pewabic tile. The floors in Most Holy Redeemer are absolutely beautiful.