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Historic Grand Rapids church restored as arts venue

Historic Grand Rapids church restored as arts venue

Built World Grand Rapids, MI local

A 150-year-old former church in East Hills is being converted into Hermitage at Diamond, a nonprofit arts and community hub.

Today: WZZM13 reports restoration as arts venue

Overview

Updated 1 hour ago

A 150-year-old church in Grand Rapids' East Hills neighborhood is being restored as an arts venue. Built in 1875 as Third Reformed Church, the building later housed Church of God in Christ and Iglesia Resurreccion Y Vida. Since 2017, nonprofit Hermitage at Diamond has occupied it.

The group is raising $150,000 to finish exterior work and install two 10.5-foot rose windows before winter. Interior upgrades for heating, plumbing, and accessibility are planned next.

Why it matters

The project shows how aging religious buildings can be reused as community arts spaces instead of demolished.

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Key Indicators

150
Age of building
Built in 1875 as Third Reformed Church.
$150,000
Fundraising goal
For exterior restoration and two rose windows.
50
Stained-glass windows
Including three large rose windows.
3
Rose windows
Two new windows will join a restored south rose window.
1875
Year built
Original construction as Third Reformed Church.

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People Involved

CM
Carol Moore
Founder, Hermitage at Diamond
Leading restoration

Organizations Involved

HD
Hermitage at Diamond
Nonprofit arts and community hub
Owner and restorer of former church

Nonprofit restoring a 150-year-old former church in Grand Rapids as an arts venue.

Timeline

1875 November 2026

4 events Latest: Today
Tap a bar to jump to that date

  1. WZZM13 reports restoration as arts venue

    Today Media

    Local station profiles the 150-year-old church being converted into an arts venue.

  2. Hermitage at Diamond takes over

    Organization

    The nonprofit begins using the former church as an arts and community space.

  3. Stained-glass windows installed

    Construction

    The building's 50 stained-glass windows date from this year.

  4. Third Reformed Church built

    Construction

    The church is built in Grand Rapids' East Hills neighborhood.

Scenarios

1

Rose windows installed and exterior restoration completed

Possible Resolves by Q1 2027

Discussed by: Hermitage at Diamond and Rapid Growth Media

The nonprofit's $150,000 campaign is meant to finish exterior work and install two 10.5-foot rose windows before winter. Completion would let the group shift to interior upgrades.

2

Full arts venue opens after interior upgrades

Possible Resolves by End of 2028

Discussed by: Hermitage at Diamond

After exterior work, the nonprofit plans heating, plumbing, and accessibility upgrades. A full opening would make the building a year-round arts and community hub.

3

Fundraising falls short and restoration stalls

Unlikely Resolves by End of 2027

Discussed by: Rapid Growth Media

The campaign depends on community donations. If it does not reach $150,000, exterior work and rose-window installation could be delayed.

Historical Context

2 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

1875

Third Reformed Church construction (1875)

The building opened as Third Reformed Church in Grand Rapids' East Hills neighborhood. It was built with old-growth wood and later gained 50 stained-glass windows, including three large rose windows.

Then

It served as a church for decades.

Now

The building became a neighborhood landmark and later housed other congregations.

Why this matters now

The current restoration aims to preserve that structure while changing its use.

2017

Hermitage at Diamond occupancy (2017)

The nonprofit Hermitage at Diamond began using the former church as an arts and community space. It launched a long-term restoration effort.

Then

The building shifted from religious use to arts programming.

Now

The group is now raising $150,000 for exterior work and rose windows.

Why this matters now

This is the immediate precursor to the current arts-venue conversion.

Sources

(2)
WZZM13 Rapid Growth Media