The first Chaldean and Assyrian people to immigrate to the United States arrived at the end of nineteenth century. Although small in number they were spread across the country by the middle of the twentieth century.[3] Mother of God Church was established in Southfield in 1948.[4] The present church building was completed in 1980 in the Byzantine Revival style.[5] It became a cathedral when the Eparchy of St. Thomas the Apostle of Detroit was established in 1982.[4][1]