Rarely used because of disrepair, facility will soon host conferences, performances and events when work is completed in 2025
DETROIT — Renovations are under way on the century-old auditorium at Sacred Heart Major Seminary. The project is being completed from the outside in, beginning with tuckpointing exterior walls to restore the structural integrity of the mortar. Gutter work, flashing and roof repairs will prevent leaks and protect insulation.
“If we don’t take care of the outside, it’ll compromise whatever we do on the inside,” said John Duncan, director of facilities services for Sacred Heart.
Duncan has overseen facilities at the seminary for 31 years and knows the building well. He marvels at the construction, which began in January of 1923. Just one year and eight months later, in August of 1924, students were welcomed to the maze of hallways that make up the seminary. Construction included the auditorium, main chapel and powerhouse.
“The foundation is three to four inches thick. The roof is tremendous. They don’t make them like they used to,” Duncan said. “If we take care of it, the bones of this building should be around another two, three, four hundred years. With this project, we are taking the auditorium into the next century.”
Because of its dilapidation, use of the auditorium has been limited since the seminary’s re-founding in 1989. Despite the need for renovations, the space has served as a necessary venue for seminarians to attend formation talks, concerts and monthly addresses from the rector, as well as residential seminarian events. In March, the auditorium welcomed audiences as seminarians presented a new musical, “The Bluff,” co-written by then-seminarian Fr. Steven Caraher. The hall has also hosted academic conferences for the community, faculty development days, and Sacred Heart’s Lay Ecclesial Minister Speaker Series held each fall.
Not only will the auditorium renovation provide a space for seminarians, faculty and the community to gather, the project will preserve the original splendor of the 100-year-old space. Ten bay windows with leaded glass will be restored. Painting and plastering will highlight the beauty of the moldings, stage and walls. At the same time, modern audio and visual capabilities will be added, along with a new HVAC system, lighting, carpeting and seats.
Some details of the theater are being assessed to determine whether they will be restored or replaced. These include the original chandeliers accessed by two concrete catwalks above the stage and two film projectors in the projection booth.
The work on the auditorium will be completed in the summer of 2025. The first event has already been scheduled for the newly renovated space: an academic conference titled, "Nicaea at 1700: The First Council and the 'Way Together.'" Conference presenters and participants will seek to explore the relationship between the council of Nicaea and the local church by examining the theology, documents and canons from 325 AD.
“The seminary community will take this opportunity to celebrate the brilliance of the First Council of Nicaea, 325 and discern the movements of the Church today,” said Fr. Stephen Burr, rector of Sacred Heart.
Renderings for the renovation were on display at the Archbishop’s Gala in June, and fundraising has begun with generous benefactors. To support this project, please contact Emily Berschback at [email protected].
“A renovated auditorium would welcome seminarians and many others to join the seminary community in our effort to educate and evangelize for the sake of the Gospel,” Fr. Burr said.
This article was first published in Mosaic, the monthly digital magazine of Sacred Heart Major Seminary.
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