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. |
| 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. |
Documents & Links
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.