There is an old church that is currently being demolished on Kalamazoo's Northside, at
1101 N Westnedge Avenue. Originally known simply as the Reformed Church, it was built in the late 1800s by a growing congregation of Dutch heritage. The reformists eventually move to
the suburbs in 1981, and rebranded as Centerpoint Church around 2000. They have been thriving there ever-since, and today, they are not even aligned with the Reformed Church in America (
source). The building had several tenants through the succeeding years after reformists left. Most recently, it was sold by the North Westnedge Church of Christ to the Galilee Baptist Church in 2021 (located across the street in their own building since 1971).
An aerial view, from August 2021 -
Source:
Flickr | Bill Dolak
An interior view, taken March 2023 by someone. In clear disarray, but potentially still salvageable (for a high price) -
Source:
Google User Content
Recent demo photos -
Source:
Facebook | Heritage Architectural Salvage & Supply
Source:
Facebook | The Galilee Baptist Church
My first reaction was disappointment and resignation that yet another historic church was coming down. I assumed it would just become a grassy lot, or parking. But, the Baptists actually have a development plan for the site. Per their website:
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The former North Westnedge Church of Christ building (1101 North Westnedge Avenue) was purchased in 2021 with future plans to build an affordable housing complex for those in need. We have implemented the Phase ll Capital Campaign “Stepping Up to Secure our Future” to assist with vision of expanding our ministry campus.
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A concept rendering of the proposed housing development is below. Still sad to see the church come down, but at least there is a good use planned for the land, which hopefully comes to fruition.
Source:
Facebook | Clare Hollander