4802 Scotten Street
William Thomas Brady Bakery, Holy Ghost Temple Church
Activating small structures like this is imperative to Detroit’s future. Well, that’s what I think, anyways. After all, I’m just a photographer with an internet connection.
I believe this structure was built shortly after the turn of the century for William Thomas Brady, a baker. There’s some confusion over the original address, but I believe the Brady family stayed there into the 1910s.
There are dozens, maybe hundreds, of similar structures to this one left in Detroit. There’s a commercial space on the main floor—a store, workshop, bakery, etc. Upstairs, there’s a residential space or, sometimes, two.
Many of these buildings were eventually purchased an utilized by churches—or, like this one, sit vacant but are still owned by the church that once resided there.
Holy Ghost Temple Church was incorporated in September 1995. The church operated out of the structure on Scotten until at least 2003. The parish offered two masses on Sunday, Bible study on Tuesday, and Friday Night Joy events. The last pastor was S. T. White.
A few years ago, folks were fixing this structure up. I remember passing by and seeing people hauling things in and out—but then it stopped, and I haven’t seen anyone inside since.
Refurbishing and activating structures like this can do a lot for a neighborhood. For one, they add local businesses back to the landscape. Apart from churches and gas stations, there aren’t many businesses to walk to near 4802 Scotten.
Plus, these units add density to places that lack it. With more density, neighborhoods typically become more viable and walkable because businesses see that density as a way to make money. This may have been what drew William Thomas Brady to build the structure in the first place—assuming he’s the one whom had it constructed.
Two units above a former church aren’t much in the grand scheme of things, but small changes over time can make a big difference.
As I’ve mentioned, I always thought living above a shop you owned would be rad. Talk about a short commute! If money weren’t an issue, I’d open a record store that also fixed bikes. What kind of store would you open?
