The Chaldean American Dream
Chaldean immigrants began immigrating to the US at the turn of the twentieth century, seeking economic opportunity. The automotive boom and work in the grocery industry drew many Chaldeans to Detroit.
The growing Chaldean community soon discovered that West Bloomfield area lakes provided a welcome break from the summer heat of the city. As early as 1939, several Chaldean families owned cottages on Cass Lake.
During the 1970s, a significant number of Chaldean families decided to make Greater West Bloomfield their home.
Chaldeans in the News
As the Chaldean community grew, the news media took an interest and helped to educate the public. On March 10, 1980, Detroit Free Press wrote, “…although Chaldeans are from Iraq, an Arab country, and speak Arabic, they are not Arabs. Chaldeans are the original inhabitants of Mesopotamia, now known as Iraq, and speak their own language – Aramaic – as well as the Arab language.”
Gathering Places
Large gatherings became common in the American Chaldean community. Whether to practice their faith, celebrate a wedding or for some other social or business reason, it became a priority to have spaces to accommodate these events.
Shenandoah Country Club
In 1989, the Chaldean Iraqi American Association of Michigan purchased the 34 year old Shenandoah Country Club. It underwent an extensive reconstruction with grand opening in 2005. In 2017, it became the first home of the Chaldean Cultural Center, a museum documenting Chaldean history. In addition to serving its members, Shenandoah has hosted many community wide events and even welcomed the Iraqi Prime Minister in 2024.
St. Thomas Chaldean Catholic Church
For decades, local Chaldeans attended area Catholic churches or traveled to Chaldean Catholic Churches elsewhere. Demand grew for a local church. Designed by prominent local architect and Chaldean American Victor Saroki, the St. Thomas Chaldean Catholic Church was dedicated on April 4, 1999.
Chaldean Community Foundation – West Campus
In 2023, Chaldean Community Foundation and Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce purchased the former Walnut Lake Elementary School. The extensive renovation of the historic building resulted in the opening of a new community center in 2025, with a focus on community programming and preserving the culture and history of local Chaldeans.
Today
Metro Detroit is home to the largest concentration of Chaldeans outside of the Middle East. A 2024 Walsh College survey estimated that 20-25% of West Bloomfield residents are Chaldean.
Chaldean residents today serve as business owners, public servants, community and faith leaders, healthcare professionals, and more.
Collecting Memories Project
Be a part of our local Chaldean history archive with our Collecting Memories project.
Members of the local Chaldean community participated in a project with Library of Congress called Chaldeans: Portrait of an Evolving Community.
Acknowledgments
Greater West Bloomfield Historical Society has developed this exhibit in collaboration with Chaldean Cultural Center. The exhibit has been made possible in part by a grant from America250MI.
