The Beauty of the Basilica of St. Adalbert in Grand Rapids

Is Grand Rapids known as the home of churches? We could be called that don't you think. Religion is deeply ingrained in our fabric, particularly the Catholic Church with so many beautiful cathedrals. One of particular pride is the Basilica of St. Adalbert. You know, the church you've driven by a million times on the Ford Freeway on the West Side going toward Lake Michigan Drive, or coming into the city down the expressway hill.

The Basilica of St. Adalbert actually traces its beginning to the founding of the Saint Adalbert Aid Society in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 1872. The aid society was formed to assist new Polish immigrants to Grand Rapids in finding housing and employment. Back then, the aid society bought two lots at the corner of Fourth Street and Davis Avenue, NW in 1880, and in June 1881 began construction of a small wooden church and the rest is history as it grew and grew.

Work began on the present church in July 1907 with the cornerstone being laid in August, 1907, and construction continued for six years until spring of 1913, and cost a whopping $150,000 to build back then. In today's dollars that would be around $4,755,500 dollars. My goodness, that still seems a bargain with the beauty of the church today.

Pope John Paul II elevated St. Adalbert Church to the status of a minor basilica in February of 1980, and has since been merged with St. James Parish.

What does Basilica mean, anyway. It comes from the Greek meaning “royal” or “regal” or “house fit for a king.” A basilica church is usually of Romanesque style, with the altar set before a rounded wall called the Apse.

Over the altar is a raised Baldachino, or canopy, resting on four pillars. In order to obtain the honorific title of “Minor Basilica,” the parish church must have played a significant role in the furthering of the Faith of a particular area.

St. Adalbert Basilica was the first church to be solemnly dedicated to this rank in the State of Michigan, and one of the very few in the United States.