| National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica | |
|---|---|
 | |
 National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica | |
| Location | Royal Oak, Michigan, U.S. |
| Denomination | Catholic (Latin Rite) |
| Website | www |
| Architecture | |
| Architect | Henry J. McGill |
| Style | Art Deco |
| Years built | 1931–1936 |
| Administration | |
| Archdiocese | Archdiocese of Detroit |
TheNational Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica is aCatholicchurch inRoyal Oak,Michigan. A designatednational shrine, the church building is well-known for its execution in the lavish zig-zagArt Deco style. The structure was completed in two stages between 1931 and 1936.
The sanctuary, at 2100 West Twelve Mile Road at the northeast corner ofWoodward Avenue, is a parish of theArchdiocese of Detroit. Its construction was funded by the proceeds of the radio ministry of the FatherCharles Coughlin, who broadcast from its tower in the 1930s.[1]
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Named in honor of SaintThérèse of Lisieux (who was known as "the Little Flower"), the church was first built in 1926 in a largely Protestant area.[2][3] It was founded in 1925, a year before construction started. Within days of the church opening, theKu Klux Klan burned a cross in front of the church.[4] The original wood structure was destroyed by a fire on March 17, 1936.[5][6] Construction of the new building started in 1931 and ended in 1936. Its completion was spurred by the destruction of the old structure and it employed large amounts of copper and stone to execute the designs of architect Henry J. McGill, of the New York firm of Hamlin and McGill.
Pope Francis designated the Shrine aminor basilica on January 31, 2015.[7][8]
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A dramatic limestoneArt Deco tower called the Charity Crucifixion Tower, completed in 1931, features integrated figural sculptures byRene Paul Chambellan, including a large figure of Christ on the cross, 28 ft (8.5 m) high on the Woodward Avenue façade. The sculpture, using Chambellan's design, was completed by Italian stone carver, Enrico (Harry) Liva, chief carver of the Ingalls Stone Company ofBedford, Indiana.[11][12] It was built as a response to theKu Klux Klan as a "cross they could not burn".[13] The sides and rear feature windows inside the crucifix which can be lit from within. At the upper corners of the tower are symbols of theFour Evangelists. Carved below the feet of the figure of Christ are theSeven Last Words from the Cross. Just below them is a doorway with "Charity" and "Christ Crucified" carved above it. On the sides of the doorframe are depictions of items associated with thePassion. The doorway leads to a small balcony which can serve as a pulpit. On the front are carved depictions theArchangelsJophiel,Raphael,Michael,Gabriel andUriel. The pulpit is flanked by depictions ofJohn the Apostle andthe Virgin Mary to the left and a RomanCenturion holding a spear andMary Magdalene on the right.[14] Across the terrace facing the crucifix a depiction of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux is carved into the surrounding wall. This sculpture is also by Chambellan.
Behind the tower are doors leading to a large chapel that connect the tower with the main sanctuary. Thealtar of the chapel is within the base of the tower. The octagonalnave seats 3,000 on two levels, with the altar in the center. The main building is granite and limestone, with exterior and elaborate interior sculptural work byCorrado Parducci, including a lectern andStations of the Cross, and hand-painted murals by Beatrice Wilczynski. Set into the exterior walls are stones carved with the names and official flowers of each of the states. The octagon-shaped granite baptismal font was designed by liturgical artists Robert Rambusch and Mario Agustin Locsin y Montenegro.
In 1998, theUnited States Bishops' Conference declared the site anational shrine.
Two weeks after the new church was built, the Ku Klux Klan set a cross on fire on the church lawn.
