House of worship, Morningside, since 1930
Saint Matthew Parish
Photographed standing in 1955
- Opened
- 1930
- Style
- Modern
- Standing
- 96 years
Designed by Donaldson & Meier
Saint Matthew Parish has stood on Whittier Ave. in Morningside since 1930, 96 years and counting. Who built it, what makes it special and how to see it for yourself.
What is there now
Standing
We checked building permits, sales, listings and the city's blight and demolition files on October 24, 2026. Nothing new at this address in the last two years.
The story
Saint Matthew Parish opened in 1930, as Detroit pushed through the Depression.
Donaldson & Meier drew the plans, working in Modern.
It joined the National Register of Historic Places in 2023.
Go see it at 6021 Whittier Ave. Photos never get the scale right.
Saint Matthew Parish is Catholic church located at 6021 Whittier Avenue in Detroit. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2023.
Timeline
- 1930 Built Designed by Donaldson & Meier
- 2023 Listed on the National Register April 4, 2023
- 2026 Today 96 years and still standing
Where it is
6021 Whittier Ave.
On this map
Street map from OpenStreetMap contributors
Who made it
Architect
Donaldson & MeierAmerican architectural firm, founded 1882. Designed the Penobscot Building (1928) and 58 more in Metro Detroit
Also by Donaldson & Meier
More from Detroit in the 1930s
-
Brodhead Naval Armory
Building, built 1930, Art Deco/Art Moderne, by Stratton & Hyde
Photo: Andrew Jameson, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
-
Denby High School
School, built 1930, Art Deco, by Smith, Hinchman & Grylls
Photo: Andrew Jameson, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
-
Ambassador Bridge
Structure, built 1929, by Jonathan Jones
Photo: Antony-22, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
-
David Stott Building
Skyscraper, built 1929, Art Deco, by John Donaldson
Photo: Einar Einarsson Kvara aka Carptrash, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
-
Cooley High School
School, built 1928, Mediterranean Revival, by Donaldson & Meier, demolished 2026
Photo: Chuckjav, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
-
Broderick Tower
Structure, built 1927, Beaux Arts, by Louis Kamper
Photo: St8fan, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Around the block
It is in Morningside. See the neighborhood's homes, pros and story.
Photo credits
Every photo on this page is used under its license, named here with its author and a link to the original.
- St Matthews Catholic Church, Detroit, 1955 This is an image of a place or building that is listed on the National... Photo: St Matthews Parish Detroit, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
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.