Religion
Allen Vigneron
born 1948 · Catholic Archbishop of Detroit (2009–2025)
Mount Clemens native who studied and later served as rector at Sacred Heart Major Seminary, then led the Archdiocese of Detroit as archbishop from 2009 to 2025.
- Born
Mount Clemens, Michigan
age 77- Birth name
- Allen Henry Vigneron
- Detroit years
- 1948–2003, 2009–
- Field
- Religion
01 / The Detroit story
The Detroit story
Allen Henry Vigneron was born in Mount Clemens on October 21, 1948, the eldest of six children, and grew up in Macomb County. He entered Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit, continued his studies in Rome and was ordained for the Archdiocese of Detroit by Cardinal John Dearden in 1975, at St. Clement of Rome Church in Romeo. After parish work in the suburbs and doctoral studies in philosophy, he returned to Sacred Heart to teach and served as its rector from 1994 to 2003. He was made an auxiliary bishop of Detroit in 1996, led the Diocese of Oakland in California from 2003, and came back in January 2009 as archbishop, the first native of the Detroit area to hold the post. His years in office brought the 2017 pastoral letter Unleash the Gospel, the beatification of Solanus Casey at Ford Field that November and a regrouping of parishes into Families of Parishes. He retired in February 2025.
Highlights
- Archbishop of Detroit, January 2009 – February 2025
- Rector of Sacred Heart Major Seminary, 1994–2003
- Bishop of Oakland, California, 2003–2009
- Archdiocese hosted Solanus Casey's beatification at Ford Field in 2017
02 / Their Detroit places
Their Detroit places 2
Where they lived, worked, performed and liked to hang out. Closed and demolished places stay here too, because they are part of the city's history.
Studied here · late 1960s, 1994–2003
Sacred Heart Major Seminary
Detroit's Catholic seminary (Gothic Revival building of 1923–1924), where he trained for the priesthood and later taught and served as rector.
Worked here · 1996–2003, 2009–2025
Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament
Detroit's Catholic cathedral on Woodward Avenue, where he was consecrated a bishop in 1996 and which was his seat as archbishop.