About
The Basilica of Ste. Anne de Detroit is more than a historic church—it is a spiritual cornerstone and a vital part of Detroit’s Catholic community. As the first Catholic Initiative project, the Basilica of Ste. Anne de Detroit reflects our mission: preserving sacred traditions, strengthening communities, and securing a thriving future for the Church.
The second oldest continuously operating parish in the United States, the Basilica has stood as a beacon of faith and a pillar of the community for centuries. Today, Catholics seek authentic, vibrant communities, not out of obligation, but for a true encounter with the Divine—and the Basilica of Ste. Anne de Detroit provides that experience.
For the Pulte Family, this mission is deeply personal. Detroit is where our family’s story began—William J. Pulte built one of the nation’s largest homebuilding companies here, and his work was always guided by faith, integrity, and a commitment to service. This city has shaped our values, and we remain deeply connected to its people and its future. The Basilica of Ste. Anne de Detroit represents more than just a historic landmark; it is a spiritual home for generations of Detroiters, including many families, like ours, who have roots in both faith and hard work.
As descendants of immigrants, we also recognize the Church’s role in welcoming and strengthening immigrant communities—offering faith, resources, and belonging. Our commitment is to preserve and grow this legacy, ensuring the Basilica of Ste. Anne de Detroit remains a place of faith, tradition, and renewal for generations to come.
Faith is timeless, and with the right support, so are its sacred spaces. We are honored to stand alongside the parish in ensuring the Basilica of Ste. Anne de Detroit doesn’t just endure—but thrives as a powerful testament to God’s love.
Why Ste. Anne de Detroit?
In 2021, as the Basilica of Ste. Anne de Detroit began a capital campaign, Archbishop Vigneron and Monsignor Charles Kosanke approached one of Detroit’s most faithful supporters, the Pulte Family Charitable Foundation. After a few constructive conversations the Pultes, through The Catholic Initiative, came back and asked, ‘would this model work for the archdiocese and the parish?’. This was the birth of what would become a Vatican approved agreement between The Catholic Initiative, the archdiocese, and the parish. A deal was constructed in order to assuage concerns. First, the Vatican approved the sale of the real estate within the parish of the Basilic of Ste. Anne de Detroit. Second, The Catholic Initiative and the archdiocese agreed on a financial number that would cover renovation requirements within the footprint of the parish. Third, The Catholic Initiative and the archdiocese firmly agreed in the immediate release back at one dollar per year for 200 years to the parish and the archdiocese. Fourth, this lease back cemented the long-term viability and sustainability of the second oldest parish in the United States, the Basilica of Ste Anne de Detroit. The ultimate goal of every Catholic Initiative project and transaction is crystal clear; the restoration, endowment, and confirmation that the church, school or parish will operate in perpetuity.
The Pulte family and Archdiocese of Detroit have had a strong relationship for over 50 years. William J Pulte, founder of the foundation, is now represented by his son, Mark T. Pulte. Throughout his lifetime, William J. Pulte contributed over $200 million to the Archdiocese of Detroit. We remain committed to this legacy by supporting the Pope Francis Center, Michigan Hispanic Collaborative, and numerous other Detroit-based nonprofits, all in alignment with the seven corporal works of mercy.
The Plan
Over the decades, time and the elements have taken their toll on the Basilica of Ste. Anne de Detroit leaving it in need of a major restoration. By returning this sacred space to its original splendor and making essential structural repairs, The Catholic Initiative will breathe new life into a church that has been a beacon of faith for generations—ensuring it remains a place of worship, community, and spiritual renewal for the next two-hundred years.
This renovation is designed to preserve and enhance the beauty and integrity of the Basilica of Ste. Anne de Detroit. Phase One—repairing the roof and bell towers—has already been completed. The remaining work includes:
Plaza and Overall Campus
- New outdoor pavilion
- Enhanced walkways, landscaping, and lighting to create a cohesive campus feel
- “World Peace” Prayer Wall for reflection
- Expanded and relocated parking lot to exterior of facility
Ste. Anne Basilica
- Window restoration and replacement
- Stone and brick cleaning
- Front door repair/replacement
- Interior and exterior lighting
- Interior ceiling plaster repair
- Painting
Other Buildings
Includes Corby Hall, Parish Hall, Wellness Center
- Structural repairs
- Optimize interior functionality in partnership with the parish leaders to enhance usage for community services, creating a vibrant and welcoming hub
With these critical repairs, we are not just restoring a building—we are securing the future of a sacred place that has touched countless lives and ensuring that the Basilica of Ste. Anne de Detroit continues to inspire and serve for generations to come.
The restoration of the church is expected to be a three to five year project beginning in mid-2025 in partnership with the Archdiocese, the Vatican, and representatives from the surrounding community. This work will ensure that the parish’s historical beauty, structural integrity, and long-term sustainability are preserved for generations. Parishioners will see progress unfold in phases, with clear communication on milestones along the way.
At the same time, investment in the Community Hub begins on Day 1. We will work alongside parish leadership to assess existing programs, identify key areas for growth, and begin expanding offerings to better serve the community. Unlike the physical restoration, which has a defined timeline, the Community Hub is meant to be ever-evolving—continuously enriched and expanded to meet the needs of the parishioners and the surrounding community.
While the church’s restoration will conclude in three-to-five years, the work of strengthening the community is ongoing. The Catholic Initiative is committed to ensuring that the Basilica of Ste. Anne de Detroit remains not just a place of worship, but a thriving, dynamic center of faith, culture, and service for generations to come.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Catholic Initiative Endowment is a diversified fund composed of donations that are strategically invested by top-tier, blue-chip investment firms to generate sustainable income for specific projects. Each project has a dedicated restricted fund, held within the broader Pulte Family Charitable Foundation (PFCF) / The Catholic Initiative relationship, benefiting from institutional-level investment strategies and discounted management fees.
While the principal remains intact, earnings are used to support ongoing operating expenses, capital projects as needed, and key initiatives such as community hub programming and expanded scholarship programs. Funds are released on a bi-annual basis following a budget review process, ensuring disciplined financial oversight and alignment with project needs.
The Endowment Fund ensure professional stewardship, prudent investment, and long-term financial sustainability, providing cost-effective, high-quality financial oversight while maximizing growth and reinforcing each project’s Catholic mission.
The Catholic Initiative is actively working on three projects. There are two more projects in the queue with the intention of beginning them by early 2026. The Catholic Initiative will look to develop new projects in 2027.
The restoration of the Basilica of Ste. Anne de Detroit is set to begin in mid-2025 and will take place over a three-to-five-year timeline. Throughout this process, the Basilica will continue to serve as a vital community hub, offering a wide range of Catholic and social services. A visit to the church’s website showcases the depth of these programs, which support both parishioners and the broader community. From day one, The Catholic Initiative will focus on enhancing these efforts, collaborating with the parish leadership team and leveraging resources and relationships from the Pulte Family Charitable Foundation to further expand the Basilica’s outreach and impact.
No, The Catholic Initiative does not operate Catholic schools, churches, or parishes. Instead, it is dedicated to restoring and endowing Catholic communities across the United States by providing financial support and strategic guidance. Through a consultative and supportive relationship with project leadership teams, The Catholic Initiative ensures that priests and Catholic community leaders have more time to focus on their vocations—guiding, inspiring, and serving their communities—while the Initiative helps secure long-term financial sustainability.
In 2021, as the Basilica of Ste. Anne de Detroit began a capital campaign, Archbishop Vigneron and Monsignor Charles Kosanke approached one of Detroit’s most faithful supporters, the Pulte Family Charitable Foundation. The Pulte family and Archdiocese of Detroit have had a strong relationship for over 50 years. William J Pulte, founder of the foundation, is now represented by his son, Mark T. Pulte.
Throughout his lifetime, William J. Pulte contributed over $200 million to the Archdiocese of Detroit. We remain committed to this legacy by supporting the Pope Francis Center, Michigan Hispanic Collaborative, and numerous other Detroit-based nonprofits, all in alignment with the seven corporal works of mercy.
This is a groundbreaking partnership between The Catholic Initiative and Catholic schools, churches, and parishes to ensure Catholics can continue to worship God and receive the pastoral and spiritual care of the Church. While we are not aware of another parish church in the United States being owned by a secular entity, there are some comparable examples with distinct differences:
- In Plymouth, MI, the Pulte Foundation owns the former Inn at St. John (now Saint John’s Resort). This includes ownership of the Saints Mary and Joseph Chapel, which also required Vatican approval.
- In Detroit, the Polish American Historic Site Association owns St. Albertus Church, which is permitted to host a limited number of Masses and other events but no longer gathers Catholics in a parish community.
- In other parts of the world, civil governments have come to own historical church buildings and have entered into use agreements with local dioceses.
The Archdiocese of Detroit receives contractual assurance that The Catholic Initiative will renovate the Basilica of Ste. Anne de Detroit campus, The Catholic Initiative will raise an endowment to ensure operating costs are covered in perpetuity for the Basilica of Ste. Anne de Detroit. Lastly, the Archdiocese of Detroit secures the ongoing operation of the Basilica of Ste. Anne de Detroit faith community in perpetuity.
Yes. The Catholic Initiative becomes the landlord of the Basilica of Ste. Anne de Detroit. Included in the agreement, The Catholic Initiative must operate the real estate of the parish as the Basilica of Ste. Anne de Detroit for the life of the agreement, which is two hundred years.
Yes, parishes are permitted to sell property and must follow appropriate steps to do so. Requirements include consultation with the Parish Finance Council, agreement by the Archdiocesan Finance Council, agreement by the College of Consultors, approval by the Dicastery for the Clergy (a Vatican office competent for such reviews). Finally, once all agreements are received, the Archbishop must allow the parish to proceed with the sale and lease. Parishes are then permitted to lease property for use as a parish church.
While the endowment will cover significant maintenance costs, the continued engagement of parishioners—through participation, volunteering, and contributions—will be essential in ensuring the basilica remains a vibrant spiritual and community hub.
The Archdiocese will remain actively involved in supporting the parish’s spiritual and pastoral needs. The Archbishop will also retain oversight over liturgical activities, ensuring that the basilica remains a center of Catholic worship.
All historical artifacts and sacred objects will be carefully preserved and protected during the restoration process. Experts in historical preservation will work with the Foundation and parish to ensure the integrity of these items.
Efforts will be made to minimize disruptions to parish life during the restoration. If certain areas of the basilica or campus need to be closed temporarily, alternate arrangements will be communicated in advance to ensure Mass and other activities can continue without interruption.
"It’s more than a building. It’s what happens in a building.”
–Msgr. Kosanke
"It’s more than a building. It’s what happens in a building.”
