Tuesday, January 17, 2017

133-year-old church closed for nearly 2 years sold to Marvin Sapp

Marvin Sapp's Muskegon purchase includes rectory, church in need of repairsThe Catholic Diocese of Grand Rapids announced on Monday, Jan. 9, that it sold St. Jean Baptiste Catholic Church downtown Muskegon. 

St. Jean Baptiste was closed during April 2015 as part of the diocese's "Our Faith, Our Future" pastoral plan. 

The church was considered a campus of St. Mary Catholic Church, 239 W. Clay Ave. in Muskegon. 

Bishop Marvin Sapp, of national gospel music fame, purchased the building. He will begin holding services at the former St. Jean Baptiste, 1292 Jefferson St., during 2017. 

Sapp announced on social media on Sunday, Jan. 1, that he would have services in Muskegon during 2017. 


Nationally recognized gospel singer Bishop Marvin Sapp will begin offering services downtown Muskegon sometime in 2017.

Services will be held on Sundays at 3 p.m. 

However, a start date was not announced. 

A call to Marvin Sapp Ministries was not immediately returned. 

St. Jean Baptiste served parishioners for more than 130 years. It was established during December 1883, according to the Catholic Diocese of Grand Rapids.


A historic Catholic institution established in Muskegon County nearly 131 years ago has closed for good.

"St. Jean Baptiste was the spiritual and physical home of many Catholics in the Muskegon area for more than a century," said Annalise Laumeyer, director of communications for the Diocese of Grand Rapids, in a release. "Funds generated through the sale of this property will support the parishes of St. Mary and Our Lady of Grace in their continuing commitment to proclaim Christ's mission through their parish ministries and outreach."   

The sale price was not disclosed. 

It was revealed in 2015 that the building required "extensive repairs" to remain open.

The Diocese of Grand Rapids serves more than 191,000 Catholics, 82 parishes and 30 schools in an 11-county area of West Michigan.