Sacred Heart Major Seminary
Please visit Sacred Heart Major Seminary’s Guest Information webpage before planning your visit.
Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit, Michigan, was built in 1924 and designed by Donaldson & Meier, an architectural firm based in the city that was founded in 1880.
Sacred Heart contains the second-largest Pewabic Tile installation to date, beaten only by the extensive tile work found in the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C.
Historic Pewabic Tile can be found throughout much of the building, including on the floors and walls at the main entrance. All of the architectural field tiles are earthenware, a low-fired clay body, in a range of colors from bright blue and light purple to unglazed red and brown terra cotta.
The Sanctuary floors continue to be preserved and treated with wax since their installation over 100 years ago, giving the tiles a clear-glazed look.
A variety of religious symbolism is contained within the embossed tiles featured in multiple installations throughout the seminary.
The front of the altar includes three circular medallions representing the Old Testament, the New Testament, and the Promise.
Photos by Jim Haefner