As the “Maritime Sailor’s Cathedral” and “A House of Prayer for All People”, Mariners’ Church has been involved with the Maritime community since the church’s founding in 1842. Mariners’ is where “the church bell chimed till it rang twenty-nine times” as sung in Gordon Lightfoot’s The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald. The twenty-nine souls lost on the Edmund Fitzgerald have been remembered every year at Mariners’ since the ship went down 50 years ago on November 10, 1975.
We’ve had many requests for how the 50th anniversary is being commemorated, and this page will provide links and information about those events.
Events
| Date / Location | Event |
|---|---|
| July 26 – August 28, 2025 | Memorial Swim and a “March to Mariners” — One ambitious project beginning July 26 and ending August 28 is a 17-stage, 411-mile relay swim from Lake Superior to Detroit. Put on by an organization of dedicated world-class swimmers, they have asked us to lead a worship service for all the participants of this epic event and to honor the 29 souls lost. Service will begin at 12:10pm, Thursday, August 28th at Mariners’ Church.
Please go to www.edmundfitzgeraldswim.org for all the details on this event. See Fox 2 Detroit news video, 400 mile memorial swim honors crew of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald 50 years later. |
| Friday, November 7, 2025 6 p.m. Mariners’ Church of Detroit |
A Special Evening to Tribute to the Edmund Fitzgerald — Song and story telling featuring Mike Fornes performing the “Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” by Gordon Lightfoot. Fornes discusses his interaction with the surviving family members of the lost crewmen, generating many first-hand accounts of the tragedy and of how the iconic song was written. Tickets are available now. |
| Sunday, November 9, 2025 11 a.m. Mariners’ Church of Detroit |
Great Lakes Memorial Service — This annual tradition will hold special meaning as we commemorate all Mariners lost on the Great Lakes while giving special tribute to the 50th anniversary of the Edmund Fitzgerald. |
| Monday, November 10, 2025 12:10 p.m. Mariners’ Church of Detroit |
Special Anniversary Eucharist service — The bell will ring once more. The city of Detroit and beyond will be invited to participate in this worship service, pausing in their work day, to remember and reflect on the day of the 50th anniversary. |
| Monday, November 10, 2025 1:00 p.m. Detroit Mercy School of Law |
Detroit Mercy Law Luncheon — The 2025 University of Detroit Mercy Law Review Symposium invites you to join a special symposium on the Sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald: Exploring the Legal Issues Surrounding Deadly Shipwrecks and Honoring the 50th Anniversary of a Great Lakes Tragedy — Lunch Reception and Guest Speaker. Tickets for lunch. |
Documents & Links
- Edmund Fitzgerald 50th Anniversary Schedule
- Past interview with Bishop Ingalls re ringing of the bell (YouTube)
- Honoring the Crew of the Edmund Fitzgerald – A Personal Reflection
- Detroit church to mark 50 years since Edmund Fitzgerald sinking – MLIVE
- Edmund Fitzgerald 50th memorials: Where to join remembrances for the 29 lost on the ship – Detroit Free Press
- ‘The legend lives on’: Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald still resonates 50 years later – Associated Press
- Detroit’s Mariners’ Church still tolls 29 bells for the Edmund Fitzgerald – WTOL 11
- Remembering the Edmund Fitzgerald: Events across Great Lakes memorialize 50th anniversary of sinking – WXYZ Detroit
- In the Wake of the Edmund Fitzgerald – New York Times (requires login)
- Detroit’s Mariners’ Church honors 50th anniversary of the Edmund Fitzgerald sinking – UpNorthLive
- 50 years after sinking, the legendary Edmund Fitzgerald still has stories to tell – Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Media Contacts
Charlotte McKenzie,
Parish Administrator at Mariners’ Church
Ph: 313.259.2206
Email: charlotte@marinerschurchofdetroit.org
Patrick Liebler,
Liebler Group PR
Ph: 248.229.4418
Email: pat@lieblergroup.com
For more information this historic church, see About Mariners’ Church.