On Oct. 4, 1916, ground was broken for St. Albertus Parish School on 2000 E. Canfield St.

The school, erected at a cost of $200,000 and funded entirely through donations from the St. Albertus church parish, was dedicated on Sept. 30, 1917, and opened to 1,400 pupils on Oct. 2, 1917. It was designed by architect Harry J. Rill.

St. Albertus School closed permanently around 1966, but the building continued to serve the church, hosting community events and other activities.

In 1990, St. Albertus was one of many churches closed by Archbishop Edmund Szoka of the Archdiocese of Detroit. The congregation advocated for the building’s survival based on its significant history, and members formed a nonprofit organization, the Polish American Historic Site Association (PAHSA), in order to recognize and commemorate Detroit’s Polish history.

Today, the volunteers of PAHSA fund-raise to restore and maintain the St. Albertus historic district. Tenants live in the former rectory assist in maintenance of the grounds, and their presence assists in securing the properties. However, the school - being less important than the church - has not been maintained. There simply isn't enough money or volunteer hours to keep up all the buildings in the Albertus historic district.

PAHSA continues to offer Mass at St. Albertus, and to observe the great history of the Polish community in Detroit. The church remains available for weddings and other events

More on this building coming soon.