Beckett Industries, a developer based in Grand Rapids (Michigan), has proposed demolishing Saint James Catholic Church, a nearly 150-year-old temple located on Bridge Street, to build two apartment buildings with around 240 units on the site. According to the project, first reported by Crain’s Grand Rapids Business, the investment would be around $55 million, and the vacant religious building, empty since 2022, would be completely removed.
The number of units is still preliminary, as are the design and parking spaces, and the plan requires municipal approval. Most apartments would be market-rate, although the developer is considering including an affordable housing component. Project renderings show brick on the ground floor, loft-style windows, arched windows, and a café on the first floor, with architectural references to the church that will be demolished.
A space for prayer and remembrance in the new complex
Beckett Industries says it is exploring the possibility of including a place for prayer and remembrance in the complex. Its founder and managing partner, Danny Beckett Jr., stated that “Saint James is part of Grand Rapids’ memory.” John Meyer, general partner at Beckett Real Estate, added that “a property like Saint James cannot be evaluated solely on economic criteria.”
The developer is also considering preserving part of the church’s heritage: the Catholic Church would retain ownership of the famous stained-glass window, and Beckett would distribute bricks from the building among former parishioners.
A parish founded by Irish immigrants
Saint James was founded by Irish immigrants in 1870 and held its last Mass in June 2022, after which the Diocese of Grand Rapids put the property up for sale. In 2024, the diocese attributed the inability to continue holding services in the building to structural damage identified in an assessment commissioned by the insurer. Since then, the church has remained closed on Bridge Street.
The West Grand Neighborhood Organization has called a public meeting on November 12 to gather residents’ opinions on the project. CatholicVote, for its part, described the news as “heartbreaking” when it shared it on X.