The current location of St. Nicholas Parish on Metro Parkway was first known as St. Basil the Great Byzantine Catholic Church.  The first liturgy at the church was celebrated on March 16th, 1969.  During the mid to late 1950’s, many families began relocating north and to other suburbs away from the original location of St. Nicholas Parish in Detroit.  To retain a spiritual home that was closer to the families choosing to move further from the city limits, a plan was made to form a new church in this area.  During this time, Father William Lesko at St. Nicholas Parish asked this new group of “Founders” to act as a private association and from there the Suburban Social Club was formed.  

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On February 26th, 1962, Father Lesko read a letter stating that Bishop Nicholas T. Elko granted permission for a new parish to be formed and that a Liturgy was to be held at 10 am every Sunday beginning on March 11th, 1962 at North Elementary School in Sterling Township.  The first Divine Liturgy was celebrated in the gymnasium of North Elementary by Father Lesko.  Liturgy services continued on for years as plans to form a new permanent home started to take shape.  

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Through the efforts of the parishioners and the first pastor, Father John Kasarda, five acres of property had been acquired on 16 mile road called Magnolia Grove from St. Nicholas Church.  A Ground Breaking Ceremony took place on March 16, 1966 followed with a banquet and a new parish name was given to the community – St. Basil the Great Byzantine Catholic Church.  Father Ed Zavell was appointed that same year where he would serve the community of St. Basil for over twenty years.   During his time, Father Ed organized teen groups, fundraisers, and annual events and picnics that we still celebrate today.  Three years to the day following the banquet where a new name was announced, the first Divine Liturgy was celebrated at 4700 Metro Parkway.  

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Byzantine churches can be recognized by beautiful icon screenings known as an Iconostasis.  St. Basil Church had its first installed in September of 1978.  The one seen today has since been in place since September of 2002, and was commissioned by Bulgarian Iconographer, Svetoslav Videnov.  The two-tiered Iconostasis with gold-painted icons became the template for the rest of the church to follow with new paint and Icons to be painted in the sanctuary ceiling and throughout the walls of the church.  Other beautification projects emerged such as the large chandelier that adorns the front of the church.  Ordered from Athens, Greece and installed in 1983, it is a reminder that Christ is the Light of the World. 

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Architectural plans and upgrades continued as St. Basil Parish welcomed its third pastor – Father Basil Hutsko in 1987.  A new roof was installed removing the tower and installing a Byzantine Style dome at the front of the church.  Father Basil accepted the responsibility as the Youth Ministry Coordinator for the Great Lakes Protopresbyterate.  He also first organized Teen Day of Reflections, as well as other Eastern Catholic Youth events and rallies.  Through the sound fiscal stewardship of Father Basil, generosity of parishioners, and ongoing fundraising efforts, renovations were made to our church inside and out to make this a holy and truly sacred place to worship and be with others.  

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On December 15th, 2004, St. Basil Church welcomed Father Mychail Rozmarynowycz and his wife Donna to our parish family.  Under Father Mychail, an outdoor shrine on the south side of the church was constructed through generous patronage from Bernie and Elanor Cipa.  The image of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ is surrounded by a peaceful garden for private prayer, while the stone floor was constructed of memorial stones.  Parishioners who wish to remember or honor family members purchase stones and have their names engraved on them.  On March 11th, 2012, Father Mychail and the parish celebrated Founders Day, commemorating the First Divine Liturgy 50 years earlier in the gymnasium of North Elementary School.  The sacrifice and devotion the founders gave in establishing a beautiful and vibrant church will always be remembered.

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Today, despite a new patron saint, the foundation is strong.  Following a 2025 decree from Most Reverend Bishop Robert M. Pipta, the two Parishes of St. Basil and St. Nicholas Church were to be combined and continue to celebrate Divine Liturgy.  As we continue to rekindle family ties, there is so much to be thankful for the years of service of both the founders and the clergy and administrations throughout the years.  The Very Reverend Father Mykhailo Solianyk who had been tasked with administrating both parishes for over a year has finally settled down with his family and is poised to lead our new parish life and community forward.  With our utmost trust in God and through the intercession of the Holy Spirit that the parishioners look forward into new blessing and opportunities to come.