Founded in 1835, St. Mary’s soon became the center of musical life for Detroit’s German community.   Her fine Parish Choir sang at both Sunday High Mass and Solemn Vespers each week.   By the 1880s, her ambitious music program produced an annual week of concerts and theatrical presentations of both a sacred and secular nature.

Over the last 164 years my predecessors have maintained a reputation for distinguished choral singing; and for generations it has been de rigueur for St. Mary’s Choir to perform the orchestral masses of such great composers as Mozart & Haydn for the festivals of Christmas and Easter.

The completion of our fine new organ in 1990, has added yet another dimension to the musical life of our parish.

Today, St. Mary’s Choir sings at the weekly Latin High Mass.   With its fusion of solemn ritual, elegant chants and soaring part-music, this liturgy has become the staff of life for both devoted parishioners and visitors from far and near.

written by Bob Barnhardt (former organist and choir director) in 1999