The Catholic Diocese of Grand Rapids is planning to close and sell four churches in West Michigan, which could open up the land for future redevelopment opportunities in the years ahead.
The closures are part of the “Rooted in Christ Pastoral Planning Process” report the diocese published on June 29 detailing plans for merging 13 parishes. The diocese operates 79 parishes and 31 Catholic schools across 11 West Michigan counties.
The four churches the diocese plans to close and eventually be put on the market are:
- Saints Peter and Paul Church, 520 Myrtle St. NW in Grand Rapids
- Mary Queen of Apostles, 1 W. Maple St. in Sand Lake
- St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 3252 E. Apple Avenue in Muskegon
- Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church at 1372 S. Oceana Drive in Shelby
The diocese will try to sell properties, including ones with church buildings, if it determines they no longer serve the long-term needs of the community, said Annalise Laumeyer, director of communications at the Catholic Diocese of Grand Rapids…