Detroit Bowling Alleys

**sw_kid** · February-24-20, 04:55 PM

St. Hedwig had a bowling alley? Very interesting...

**Danny** · February-27-20, 06:39 AM

Originally Posted by sw_kid

St. Hedwig had a bowling alley? Very interesting...

Yes St Hedwig Church did have a bowling alley once. But it's for church leagues only. Non competitive just fun.

Today Life Church at Eureka Rd. west of Telegraph in Taylor, MI. has a six lane bowling alley left over from Taylor Lanes.

**jcole** · February-24-20, 05:24 PM

Found a history of St Hedwigs on the web; answered a couple of my own questions.

In 1919, the Parish began building a large, three story school with a basement on St. Hedwig Street. On the first and second floors were to be sixteen large classrooms. The third floor was finished off as a eight lane bowling alley.

On September 15, 1945, Fr. Callistus Winiarz was appointed pastor. During his term, which lasted until 1951, the Parish hall was modernized and the lower church was remodeled. He also put rubber on the kneelers in the upper church. The bowling alley was modernized at a cost of $7,881.

Looks like 2 three story schools still on the property. Wonder if the alley is still there?

**pjbear05** · February-24-20, 09:57 PM

First post to this thread, bowled a lot of the east side houses, Van Dyke, Falcon, Nortown, both of the Klee's, etc.

Two unanswered locations: Westbound 8 Mile between Hoover and Van Dyke was either Linden or Minden Bowl. Northeast corner of 8 Mile and Sherwood was Motor Lanes.

When attending Wayne State I earned credits in a bowling class held at Garden Bowl; learned how to throw a proper hook, and the way to really do so by switching from conventional to a full fingertip grip.

Golden memories!

**Tig3rzhark** · February-25-20, 10:39 AM

The last time I went to Garden Bowl, the lanes were horrible. No professional bowler would ever use those lanes.

My father is a league bowler, and thank God that he goes to Westland to go bowling. It makes me sad that in Detroit, if you want to go to a local [[in Detroit) bowling alley, you can only go to Renaissance Bowl.

It makes me cry that all of the good bowling lanes are becoming extinct.

Do let me know when Garden Bowl gets it's act together.

**sw_kid** · February-25-20, 04:05 PM

Ahem....back to bowling alleys. I'll toss in a few Southwest alleys to get the wheels in the noggin going.

Beacon Bowling alley on Vernor by Waterman

Bowling alley on Springwells by Navy Street on the East side of the Street...don't remember the name.

Bowling alley on Vernor by Clark. Clark Bowling alley maybe?

Bowling alley on Vernor by Wendell across the street from Sammy's Pizzeria.

Bowling lanes UPSTAIRS of the Blue Diamond Lounge on Campbell and Plumer [[not too far from St. Hedwig BTW)

I probably would be a decent bowler if all these joints would have survived and stayed open.

**sw_kid** · February-25-20, 03:52 PM

I'm sure the St. Hedwig bowling alley is being used for classrooms now. I have a feeling that the maple and pine used for the alley are still there though, just not a functional bowling alley. I will inquire with a couple of teachers that have taught there in order to see if they know anything.

St. Hedwig School closed in 1990 when the neighborhood took a dive. Fleetwood, Clark Street and Fisher Body had just closed which broke up a lot of native SW Detroit families with many auto factory workers being offered jobs down South. Gang activity was prevalent throughout the barrio and property values were horrendous. Look at us now though!

The St. Hedwig campus is thriving. The church never closed and has clustered with St. Francis on Wesson and Buchanan and Sunday Masses are standing room only. Regarding the school building...it is a Detroit Public Elementary School - Academy of the Americas. Nice to see the hustle and bustle on Junction when school let out and seeing the kiddies playing during recess at St. Hedwig Park.