Community Flocks to Weekend Event: Painting of Historic Church Transformation Unveiled

GRAND RAPIDS, MI / AGILITYPR.NEWS / June 28, 2021 /   

PRESS RELEASE

June 28, 2021

PLANS AND PAINTING OF HISTORIC CHURCH TRANSFORMATION UNVEILED

COMMUNITY FLOCKS TO WEEKEND EVENT

Rainy weather did not dampen the enthusiasm for a community event and pop-up art show held last Saturday, June 26, on the premises of what will become a vibrant art center at 1009 Hermitage St SE in the East Hills neighborhood of Grand Rapids.

Two hundred and fifty members of the community attended to find out more about the plans to transform a beautiful church constructed in 1875. They witnessed the “unveiling” of an original painting by East Hills resident, Leisa Collins, a nationally acclaimed architectural artist and author. The painting, which depicts how the fully restored church will look, was presented by Collins to Maureen Kirkwood, the chairman of the recently formed non-profit Hermitage at Diamond which will be overseeing fund-raising for the project. Collins donated the painting in support of the project and is offering prints of the piece, with all funds going to the non-profit.

The pop-up art show consisted of a display by Collins of 40 paintings of historic homes in the greater Grand Rapids area as well as the works of established Grand Rapids artists, Elaine Dalcher and Cathy Marashi. 

Always involved in community historic preservation projects, Collins established the Leisa Collins Historic Preservation Award in 2013, to give back to those setting a stellar example of saving old buildings and has given awards throughout the country. She and her Michigan-native husband moved to Grand Rapids at the end of last year. Collins released a coffee table book last month entitled, Hand Painted Homes: An Artist’s Pen and Watercolor Journey Across America. The book includes paintings of homes and historic buildings in all 50 states.

Carol Moore, project manager for the church restoration and long-time preservationist in the Grand Rapids area, welcomed the crowd. Maureen Kirkland and board member Jennifer Williams spoke, followed by Collins’ who then unveiled the painting. Tours of the church were available, and children had the chance to participate in an art project set up for the occasion.

The church at 1009 Hermitage is an imposing structure with stunning stained glass windows and a towering steeple. It was constructed by the Third Reformed Church and reflects the cultural history of Grand Rapids, serving the Dutch immigrant population living in the “Brikyaat,” or brickyard, neighborhood. Services were conducted primarily in Dutch until 1944. The original building was expanded several times after it was completed in 1875, and in 1900, a new parish house was built next door. This home remains and will be part of the new art center.

In the late 1960s, Third Reformed Church moved to a new facility and sold the Hermitage property to the Church of God in Christ. Recognizing the historic significance of the church, the Church of God in Christ achieved inclusion of the church in the National Register of Historic Places.

The church was again sold in 1995. However the new owners found the costs associated with maintaining the 4,000-square-foot deteriorating structure beyond their means. Finally, the building was condemned. Carol Moore and Bill Roelofs purchased the building in 2017.

Despite its deteriorated condition, Moore and Roelofs were drawn to the historic architectural features that includes a 400-seat sanctuary with a 60-seat balcony, a soaring embossed tin ceiling, and notable acoustic properties. The facility also includes a large open space and institutional kitchen as well as additional spaces, including the attached residential structure, for other uses.

Moore and Roelofs were motivated to acquire the structure not only for its historic value but also by their vision for a neighborhood-oriented adaptive reuse, creating a vehicle for strengthening community through diverse arts and cultural offerings. For project updates go to www.hermitage-at-diamond.org

For more information contact:

Leisa Collins

info@leisacollins.com

(703) 598-7360