John Paul II Center

In 2011, the Knights of Columbuspurchased the John Paul II Cultural Center from the Archdiocese of Detroit, including the building and land at 3900 Harewood Rd., in Washington, D.C. It was the Knights’ vision to transform the center into a national shrine to honor the legacy of then Blessed John Paul II.

The sale involved the Cultural Center Foundation and the Catholic University of America. The Knights paid $22.7 million to the foundation for the building and land, of which $2.7 million went to the Catholic University for their secured interest on the land. After closing costs, the Archdiocese of Detroit received approximately $20 million from the foundation for the sale.

While the amount was notably less than the $54 million in loans the archdiocese invested in the cultural center's design, construction and maintenance, the sale enabled the archdiocese to recoup part of its investment and ended the approximately $65,000 monthly maintenance fee.

Today, the St. John Paul II National Shrine serves as a pilgrimage site in our nation’s capital, honoring our great Holy Father and his vision for the New Evangelization to share the Good News of Jesus Christ throughout the world.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much money did the Detroit Archdiocese put into the Cultural Center?

Where did the $54 million come from?

Why did the Archdiocese suffer a loss on the sale?

Why did the Archdiocese sell the Center in 2011?

Why did the Archdiocese get involved so deeply in a Washington, D.C., enterprise?

What financial policies has the archdiocese established to avoid committing such large amounts of funds to single projects like this in the future?

Does the Archdiocese continue to support the Cultural Center?