Historic St. Mary's school in Mt. Clemens to be demolished

School has sat on lot for 147 years

MT. CLEMENS, Mich. – People lined up to share their memories outside the old St. Mary's school in Mt. Clemens as the building is set to be demolished.

Residents visited 105 Market Street on Monday when word got around that St. Mary's is scheduled to be demolished.

A school has sat on the lot for 147 years. In 1870, it was a two-room, two-story building. It was the first Catholic school in Macomb County.

In 1889, the original portion of the present-day building was built. A high school wing was added in 1911, and students attended school there through 2013.

The Archdiocese of Detroit said the building was beyond repair. After demolition, plans call for more church parking, a green space and a grotto for prayer and reflection.

Until then, alumni are left to reflect on their time spent at the school.

"I met my husband here," said Joann Stragier, who graduated from St. Mary's in 1953. "We went on to graduate from college. There was a big group from this school that kept in touch."

A prayer vigil is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Monday for residents to say goodbye and thank you to the building.


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Jamie anchors sports coverage on Local 4 News Saturdays at 6 & 11 p.m. and Sunday at 6 p.m., in addition to hosting Sports Final Edition.

Derick is the Lead Digital Editor for ClickOnDetroit and has been with Local 4 News since April 2013. Derick specializes in breaking news, crime and local sports.