Bringing back ENERGY into the HEART of the city

Ceciliaville is a non-denominational charitable organization incorporated in the State of Michigan (501(c)(3)) partnering with SAY Detroit to bring a world-class sports facility and community center to the area around St. Charles Lwanga Parish, formerly St. Cecilia Parish, in Detroit’s Russell Woods/Nardin Park neighborhood. Together, this effort will pair athletic programming with mentoring and tutoring services, job training, and financial literacy resources—all delivered through an adjacent community center designed to serve local youth and families.

SAY DETROIT PARTNERSHIP

With the help of SAY DETROIT, St. Cecilia’s historic gym will become a safe, inspiring, transformational center for young men and women to connect over basketball and other sports, but also to access activities and services that will change their lives.

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Our History

In 1921, St. Cecilia Catholic Church was founded, home to the future high school gym which affectionately became known as “The Saint.” Ceciliaville provided the Black community in Detroit a safe place to play ball, build community, and to become their best selves.

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  • "It started at St. Cecilia’s. We had a coach there, Sam Washington Sr. He didn’t just send you out there to play. He worked on developing you, teaching the game… To see other players constantly in the gym putting work in for the love of the game, not just what the game could reward you with, was truly a life lesson for all to witness."

    Jalen Rose

  • "We are so grateful to all who have partnered with us to help breathe new life into Ceciliaville and position it once again as a safe, inspiring, transformational center for young men and women to connect over basketball and other community activities."

    Dr. Isaiah "Ike" McKinnon, former Deputy Mayor and Police Chief

  • If you were a player in Michigan, you had to play at St. Cecilia…It didn’t matter what you had done that season in the league...You still had to prove yourself back at the Saint.

    Earl Cureton

  • The historic Ceciliaville helped the Black community in Detroit, and especially in our parish neighborhood, feel safe and overcome many societal challenges that are still present today. It will be a true blessing to witness Ceciliaville return and continue its mission of positive change in Detroit’s life and future.

    Father Ted Parker, Pastor, St. Charles Lwanga Parish