Woodward Avenue and 12 Mile, the heart of Royal Oak, is dominated by the striking art deco tower of the Shrine of the Little Flower which refers to Saint Thérèse of Lisieux in France, known as "the little flower". In 1998, it was named a National Catholic Shrine--one of only five in the US. Public tours of this complex are pretty interesting. The church is famous for Father Charles Coughlin's controversial radio talks broadcast from this tower across the nation in the 1930's which were more political than spiritual. He had a huge following but was then forced off the air. There's a little spiral staircase that leads to the room from which he spoke....just behind Christ's head. The sanctuary is octagonal in shape with the altar in the center and it seats 3000.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Shrine of the Little Flower
Woodward Avenue and 12 Mile, the heart of Royal Oak, is dominated by the striking art deco tower of the Shrine of the Little Flower which refers to Saint Thérèse of Lisieux in France, known as "the little flower". In 1998, it was named a National Catholic Shrine--one of only five in the US. Public tours of this complex are pretty interesting. The church is famous for Father Charles Coughlin's controversial radio talks broadcast from this tower across the nation in the 1930's which were more political than spiritual. He had a huge following but was then forced off the air. There's a little spiral staircase that leads to the room from which he spoke....just behind Christ's head. The sanctuary is octagonal in shape with the altar in the center and it seats 3000.
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I keep meaning to go to a mass there to see the inside. Or maybe just take the tour.
ReplyDeleteYou forgot to add, though, that the lights in the tower always correspond to the liturgical colors of the season! Right now the tower is glowing purple for Lent.
Hey! I did not know about the lights in the tower! Thanks! I've been on a tour of the place. Pretty interesting stories and architecture.
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