No church building in Detroit is older than Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, its cornerstone laid in 1844. The parish was entrusted in 1877 to the Jesuits, who, from this base in the city's heart, developed institutions of learning and service, such as the University of Detroit Mercy, the University of Detroit Jesuit High School, Loyola High School and Manresa Retreat House. Detroit parishes such as Gesu, Holy Family, and St. Maron also have roots here. The church's acclaimed Homeless Jesus sculpture signifies both its long history of service to those in need and the current outreach of the Pope Francis Center. Today, the parish is a young, diverse, and welcoming Catholic community and a sturdy reminder of Detroit's faith-based roots. Located across from downtown's gleaming Renaissance Center, the parish is engaged in and committed to the revival of Detroit.

Patricia Montemurri is an award-winning journalist who covered the Catholic Church locally and internationally for the Detroit Free Press. She was married at Ss. Peter and Paul, and her husband was educated by the Jesuits and taught for 36 years at University of Detroit Jesuit High School. She is the author of Blessed Solanus Casey. Immaculate Heart of Mary Sisters of Michigan, Detroit Gesu Catholic Church and School, and Mercy High School of Michigan. The parish's influence on shaping Detroit's landscape emerges here through photographs from its archives, the Jesuit Archives & Research. Center, the Detroit Historical Society, the Detroit Free Press, and other sources. The Images of America series celebrates the history of neighborhoods, towns, and cities across the country.

Using archival photographs, each title presents the distinctive stories from the past that shape the character of the community today. Arcadia is proud to play a part in the preservation of local heritage, making history available to all.