This Catholic school in Detroit is decaying in a beautiful way. Thanks to Flickr photographer “Thomas Hawk,” we can peer inside the crumbling walls of this massive, Gothic church and school. These ruins are picturesque, haunting and absolutely breathtaking.

St. Agnes Catholic Church was founded in 1914.
Flickr/Thomas Hawk
The magnificent church building was erected several years later in 1924, and the school began admitting young students.
Flickr/Thomas Hawk
At the time of its construction, the surrounding area was an elegant suburban Detroit neighborhood.
Flickr/Thomas Hawk
At its peak, the school housed 22 nuns and over 180 female students.
Flickr/Thomas Hawk
Declining enrollment and financial troubles led to the school’s closure in 1989.
Flickr/Thomas Hawk

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In an effort to save the building, the church was transferred to the Martyrs of Uganda Parish.
Flickr/Thomas Hawk
However, the last 90 remaining members of the parish abandoned the church in 2006. Since then, the stunning building has remained empty.
Flickr/Thomas Hawk
Today, St. Agnes is filled with the remains of its former life as a school.
Flickr/Thomas Hawk
Textbooks litter the hallways, chalkboards still bear traces of the school’s final lessons and students’ personal items can still be found in the lockers and cabinets.
Flickr/Thomas Hawk
The structure is rapidly decaying, but vandalism hasn't yet marred most of the dramatic architecture of the church.
Flickr/Thomas Hawk

It’s hard to imagine why this gorgeous structure was simply left to rot away. Hopefully, restoration conservation efforts can save St. Agnes from complete decay.

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