The history of St. John's dates back to 1949 when Cardinal Edward Mooney and the Bishops of the State of Michigan opened St. John's Provincial Seminary, a place of formation for all priests of the state. For forty years St. John's continued this mission and expanded it to include the education and formation of laity and religious. With the establishment of Sacred Heart Major Seminary in 1988, the building and 170 acres at St. John's were put up for potential sale.

In 1994, after St. John's had remained dormant for several years, Cardinal Adam J. Maida brought to life a vision of reviving the property as a resource for youth and families. Programs began in 1996 and renovation continued to make it more appropriate for new needs. Completed in 2000, The Retreat Center at St. John's was rededicated that same year in conjunction with an Archdiocesan Eucharistic Congress for the Jubilee Year.

True to its history, the mission of The Retreat Center at St. John's continues to evolve as the people of God in this local Church use this place rededicated to the service of God, Church, and community. Since 2001 the Center has given special focus to evangelization, while ministry to young adults and a wedding ministry have remained constant.

The Retreat Center welcomes all faithful of the Archdiocese of Detroit and beyond. The Center is meant to be a resource for local vicariates and parishes, councils and staffs, as well as a setting for regional and national organizations holding workshops, programs and retreats.