The 9th Annual Jazz Mass for the Detroit Jazz Festival

Detroit’s Oldest Church, Ss. Peter and Paul Jesuit Catholic Church will celebrate
The 9th Annual Jazz Mass for the Detroit Jazz Festival on August 31, 2025
at 11:00 AM as part of the Detroit Jazz Festival weekend.

The music for the mass will be led by up-and-coming local Detroit jazz musicians, including
students from the celebrated Jazz Orchestra at UofD Jesuit High School. Jazz Festival
afficionados might remember the UofD “UDJO” musicians from their 2024 performance at the
Festival. The music will include beloved church favorites as well as unique offerings from the
musicians.  Free, secure parking behind the church in the UDM Law School parking lot.

At the corner of Jefferson and St. Antoine and just down the road from the Jazz Festival, Ss.
Peter and Paul is the oldest church building in Detroit. It is home not only to the parish, but also
to the acclaimed Pope Francis Center, which provides meals, clothing and services every day to
hundreds of Detroiters experiencing homelessness.

As part of its mission as “a church for the city in the heart of Detroit,” the parish provides
opportunities for exploring and celebrating the spiritual dimension of our great civic events,
including other annual liturgies that welcome downtown visitors like the Grand Prix Checkered
Flag Mass (held on May 31, 2025) and the Marathon Mass with its Blessing of the Sneakers
and Athletes (Oct. 18, 2025). A light reception will be shared after the Jazz Mass, and visitors
are invited to enjoy the features of the historic building.

The church also offers programs open to the whole city in the spirituality of the Jesuits’ founder,
St. Ignatius of Loyola, including “Spiritual Exercises for the City” and an Ignatian leadership
development program for young adult professionals.

The church recently celebrated its 177th Anniversary. Consecrated in 1848 as Detroit’s Catholic
Cathedral, the church was entrusted in 1877 to the care of the Jesuit order (Society of Jesus),
and became the base for their various ministries, which have had an immense impact on the
history and culture of Detroit and Michigan, and are still serving thousands in our area today.
They include landmark educational institutions (University of Detroit Mercy, UD Jesuit High
School and Academy, Loyola High School Detroit), pastoral ministries (Manresa Jesuit Retreat
House, Gesu Church and School), and several social services (including Pope Francis Center).
All are welcome to attend the Jazz Mass. Free secure parking for the duration of the mass is
located behind the church on Larned Street. For more information, visit ssppjesuit.org.