By Nora Dabrowski

Detroit’s Gesu Parish converts part of its historic campus to affordable senior housing

Detroit’s Gesu Catholic Church opened its doors in 1922, and three years later, the parish opened a school. For more than 100 years, Gesu has been a sanctuary of faith, stability and service to the surrounding neighborhood, the University of Detroit Mercy campus and the city at large.

In January 2026, part of the leafy, two-block Gesu campus is being converted to serve a new purpose—as Gesu Senior Housing, a living facility in a city with an aging population and a significant affordable housing deficit.

“This project’s alignment with the Gesu mission is an amazing opportunity to fortify Gesu and allow us to be here and serve the faithful for another 100 years or more,” says James Hart, Gesu’s director of operations.

The Gesu site includes the historic church and school; the original convent of the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, which now serves as the Parish Center; the former Jesuit rectory; and a community park.

While final approval is pending, the plan is to remodel the original convent/parish center in the spring of 2026 to include 36 apartments and dedicated community space for low-income seniors ages 55 and older. An additional building, with parking, has a completion goal of 2027.

Affordability targets are set for those at 30%, 40% and 80% of the area’s median income. Voucher programs will also support those in need.

As the school and community grew and changed, the parish had identified the Parish Center building as being too expensive, and too large, to effectively utilize and maintain. But Fr. Lorn Snow, SJ, Gesu’s new pastor in 2022, didn’t want to tear it down. He wanted to find a use that would enhance the mission of the parish. Thus, the idea for Gesu Senior Housing was born.

The building had been used for gatherings and storage since the mid-1980s. In 2003, it became the parish offices. Now, it will be home to dozens of Detroiters, and the former Jesuit rectory on the site will be renovated to become the new parish office in early 2026.

As Gesu Senior Housing emerged from idea to definite possibility, parishioners conducted door-to-door petitions to garner support, share the project’s plan and highlight the positive impact it could have on the community. The project committee received numerous letters of support, including some from neighbors who live within 300 feet of the residence.

To ensure the success of the project, Gesu has partnered with MHT Housing, Inc., a not-for-profit construction and management group that has developed more than 50 properties in Detroit, including the repurposing of two other religious buildings and properties in the archdiocese.

Father Snow sees the community investment in Gesu Senior Housing, and the residence’s bright future in Gesu parish, as a testament to celebrating life in Detroit.