Grand Rapids Developer Proposes Demolishing Historic Church for Apartment Complex
A Grand Rapids developer has proposed demolishing the 150-year-old St. James Catholic Church to build a 240-unit apartment building.
Grand Rapids Kalamazoo Battle Creek, MI, November 9, 2026 — A proposal has been put forward in Grand Rapids to demolish the 150-year-old St. James Catholic Church. The developer behind the plan aims to construct a 240-unit apartment building on the site.
The proposed development would involve the removal of the historic St. James Catholic Church, a structure that has stood for a century and a half. Details regarding the specific Grand Rapids developer making the proposal were not immediately available. The project’s scope includes the construction of a new apartment complex featuring 240 units.
Information concerning the current operational status of the St. James Catholic Church, such as whether it is still an active place of worship or has been previously decommissioned, was not provided in the summary. Similarly, the exact location of the church within Grand Rapids was not specified.
Further details regarding the timeline for the proposal, including when it was submitted or any planned review processes, have not been disclosed. The plan to demolish a historic church for new residential construction is likely to raise questions about heritage preservation and urban development in the community. The outcome of this proposal, including whether permits will be sought or granted, remains to be seen.
Story summarized from the original created by Emma J Nelson on www.woodtv.com, see more information here.
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