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Archdiocese of Detroit
 

History

Sacred Heart Historical Timeline

  • Founded in Detroit in 1919 by the Most Rev. Michael J. Gallagher for the purpose of educating men for the priesthood. 
      
  • Ground was broken in February 1923 for a permanent seminary location on 17 acres of farmland located at the corner of Chicago Blvd. and Linwood.
     
  • On June 17, 1923, a Detroit Times article reported "Thousands watched the laying of the cornerstone of the new three-million dollar Sacred Heart Seminary."


  • On September 22, 1924, more than 400 students descended upon the massive Gothic building.  Sacred Heart was completed in a record 18 months.
     
  • First graduating class: 1926
     
  • Because of its solid construction — it was built at one time and not in sections — the seminary would have to be completely dismantled to be torn down. It was the first seminary of its size to be built at one time. The architect guaranteed the building would stand for 300 years.
     
  • Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit serves one of the largest Archdiocese in the U.S., with a Catholic population of 1.46 million Catholics. 
      
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