Historic Michigan church building destroyed by overnight fire

A massive overnight fire destroyed a 133-year-old historic building in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on Wednesday night. The blaze gutted a former Seventh-day Adventist church owned by the LaGrave Avenue Christian Reformed Church. While the fire caused devastating destruction to the historic structure, the congregation’s main sanctuary located next door remained undamaged.

Firefighters battled heavy flames and thick smoke for several hours. The operation transitioned to a defensive stance after the building's floor collapsed, forcing crews to retreat from the interior. Nineteen fire crews responded to the scene, and officials estimated the fire was approximately 90% contained by Thursday morning. One firefighter was injured by a falling brick but is expected to recover.

The loss is particularly significant as the building was slated to be repurposed into a housing respite centre for residents in crisis. Pastor Peter M. Jonker noted that the church had already invested significant resources and completed architectural drawings for the renovation project. The building, originally constructed in 1894, is expected to be declared a total loss.