Rare Opportunity in Detroit – Former Church with Rectory & Parking Lot

Highlights:

• Former Allen Temple AME Church
• 3,741 SF church includes a sanctuary, fellowship hall, pastor’s study, kitchen, nursery, and full basement
• 1,920 SF single-family home can serve as a residence or a small group home
• 100' x 160' parking lot included in sale
• R2 Zoning allows for many uses
• Conditional uses include an adaptive reuse project, multi-family development, group daycare center, professional office, art gallery, studio, or mixed-use development
• Located off Gratiot Ave, just northeast of Eastern Market

Description:

This unique property offering at 4102–4119 Helen Street, Detroit presents a versatile investment opportunity just minutes from Eastern Market. The sale includes three key components: a spacious former church, a single-family rectory home, and a dedicated parking lot.

Church: 3,741 SF with seating for 400, featuring a choir and balcony, four restrooms, pastor’s study, nursery, and a full basement with kitchen and dining hall—doubling the usable space to approximately 7,800 SF. Recent upgrades include a newer boiler (2018) and a security system.
Rectory Home: A 1,920 SF single-family home, formerly used as a rectory, offers residential or auxiliary space potential.
Parking Lot: 100’ x 165’ lot across the street provides ample off-street parking for guests, visitors, or future patrons.

Whether you envision restoring the property as a place of worship, reimagining it as an event venue, community center, educational facility, or creative workspace, or converting it into residential lofts or commercial use, this offering provides unmatched flexibility and potential.

The neighborhoods near the subject property include Downtown Detroit, Lafayette Park, and Rivertown—offering unique opportunities for impactful community work. This area has a rich history that has shaped its current landscape, and new community groups can build upon ongoing revitalization efforts.

Several key commercial real estate developments are underway in the community, particularly within the Rivertown and Eastern Market areas. These projects include mixed-use residential and retail projects, adaptive reuse of historic buildings, and continued investment along the East Jefferson Avenue corridor.

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