House of worship, Green Acres, since 1905
Rosa L. Parks Freedom Chapel
Standing and open
- Opened
- 1905
- Standing
- 121 years
Designed by Albert Kahn
Rosa L. Parks Freedom Chapel has stood on Woodward Ave. in Green Acres since 1905, 121 years and counting. Who built it, what makes it special and how to see it for yourself.
Rosa L. Parks Freedom Chapel today, from the street
What is there now
Under renovation
- Alteration permit Per SLU2025-00134, Construct 26' W x 55' L x 22' H above ground Granite Mausoleum to Code per plans. Subject to Field Ap, estimated at $554,668 Source: City and county building permits
- Plumbing permit PLUMBING PERMIT 2 ROOF DRAINS Source: City and county building permits
- Standing and open Source: Historic Detroit
We checked building permits, sales, listings and the city's blight and demolition files on October 25, 2026.
The story
In 1905, in the years Detroit became the Motor City and built like it meant to stay on top, Rosa L. Parks Freedom Chapel opened in Green Acres.
Albert Kahn drew the plans.
It still stands and still opens its doors.
Go see it at 19975 Woodward Ave. Photos never get the scale right.
Timeline
- 1905 Built Designed by Albert Kahn
- 2026 2 building permits $554,668 in declared work, the latest July 7
- 2026 Today Under renovation
Where it is
19975 Woodward Ave.
On this map
- 1 Rosa L. Parks Freedom Chapel This place
- 2 Snyder House 0.1 mi
- 3 Feld House 0.2 mi
- 4 Garland Stove 0.2 mi
- 5 Chester A. Souther House 0.2 mi
- 6 Clarence F. Tollzien House 0.2 mi
- 7 Ulysses S. Grant house 0.3 mi
- 8 Louis Miller House 0.3 mi
- 9 Michigan State Fair Riding Coliseum, Dairy Cattle Building, and Agricultural Building 0.3 mi
Street map from OpenStreetMap contributors
Who made it
Architect
Albert KahnAmerican architect, 1869 to 1942. Designed the General Motors Building (1922) and 114 more in Metro Detroit
Also by Albert Kahn
More from Detroit in the 1900s
-
Breitmeyer-Tobin Building
Building, built 1905, Beaux Arts, by Raseman & Fisher
Photo: Andrew Jameson, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
-
![Charlevoix Hotel, [Hotel Fuller and Hotel Charlevoix, Detroit, Mich.]](https://rebuilddetroit.com/wp-content/uploads/rd-photos/landmarks/landmark-4345-2224-thumb-6285d11b4c.jpg)
Charlevoix Hotel
Hotel, built 1905, Beaux Arts, by William S. Joy, demolished 2013
Photo: Detroit Publishing Company, no known restrictions, via Library of Congress
-
Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory
Building, built 1904, Neoclassical, by Albert Kahn
Photo: PDru2014 from Detroit, United States, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
-
![Belle Isle Aquarium, [The Aquarium and conservatory, Belle Isle Park, Detroit, Mich.]](https://rebuilddetroit.com/wp-content/uploads/rd-photos/landmarks/landmark-4284-2164-thumb-099cdc24f0.jpg)
Belle Isle Aquarium
Building, built 1904, Baroque-Beaux Arts, by Albert Kahn
Photo: Detroit Publishing Company, no known restrictions, via Library of Congress
-
Cary Building
Building, built 1906, Beaux Arts, by Richard E. Raseman
Photo: Andrew Jameson, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
-
Ford Piquette Avenue Plant
Building, built 1904, Late Victorian, by Field, Hinchman & Smith
Photo: Jackdude101, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Around the block
It is in Green Acres. See the neighborhood's homes, pros and story.
- Snyder House Built 1958, in Palmer Woods Historic District 0.1 mi
- Feld House Built 1957, Mid-century modern, in Palmer Woods Historic District 0.2 mi
- Garland Stove Monument, built 1893, demolished 2011 0.2 mi
- Chester A. Souther House Built 1925, in Palmer Woods Historic District 0.2 mi
- Clarence F. Tollzien House Built 1928, in Palmer Woods Historic District 0.2 mi
- Ulysses S. Grant house Built 1837 0.3 mi
- Louis Miller House Built 1927, in Palmer Woods Historic District 0.3 mi
-
Michigan State Fair Riding Coliseum, Dairy Cattle Building, and Agricultural Building
Building, built 1922, Roman Classical, by Lynn W. Fry
Photo: Andrew Jameson, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
0.3 mi
Photo credits
Every photo on this page is used under its license, named here with its author and a link to the original.
- Rosa L. Parks Freedom Chapel from the street today Photo: Street View, 2025
Sources
Facts only, gathered from these sources. The story above is written by Rebuild Detroit. Every photo names its author and license where it appears.