Grand Rapids Diocesan Pastoral Center by Farragutful / Wikimedia Commons
The Diocese of Grand Rapids, Michigan, is slated to close and eventually sell four churches as part of its reorganization plan to cope with a shortage of priests.
Crain’s Grand Rapids Business reported that the “Rooted in Christ” restructuring process calls for the closure of Saints Peter and Paul Church, Mary Queen of Apostles, St. Thomas the Apostle Church, and Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church. The diocese currently has 79 parishes.
The diocese told Crain’s Grand Rapids Business that it plans to sell the parish properties, but only if the buyer would “preserve the integrity of the building as a former church.” The diocese would, however, allow buyers to demolish the church buildings. Parishioners of any churches that close and are sold are invited to join nearby parishes.
CatholicVote previously reported that the diocese officially announced its restructuring plan June 29. At that time, Bishop David Walkowiak explained that several pastors have had to take over multiple parishes at a time to cope with the lack of priests, which he called unsustainable for the diocese.
Bishop Walkowiak added that in 2024, only one priest was ordained in the diocese, while in 2025, seven priests either were granted senior priest status or were assigned outside the diocese. He called for the diocese to reorganize their administrative duties so that pastors can adequately care for their parishes, with the aim of creating centers of evangelization in parish communities.
Crain’s Grand Rapids Business reported that the diocese closed a parish, St. James Catholic Church, in 2022, which is currently up for sale for $4.2 million. Potential developers have been looking at adding housing to the property. The outlet also reported that other formerly Catholic buildings, such as a Dominican Sisters’ campus, have also been developed for housing purposes.
