Online resources representing places of worship or ministries in Grand Rapids, Michigan are the focus of this category, although any topics related to faith, spirituality, or religion within the city are appropriate here.
Traditionally, Grand Rapids has had a strong Dutch Christian background, although it is becoming more religiously diverse.
The first European-American settlement of the area was a small Baptist mission founded in 1822. Originally intended as a mission to the Ottawa tribes, the mission later served early European-American settlers. Although this church has changed considerably over the years, it is represented today by the Fountain Street Church near Main Street.
In the late 1840s, the Christian Reformed Church gained influence in the community through Dutch settlers who brought Dutch Calvinism. The headquarters of the Christian Reformed Church moved from Holland, Michigan to Grand Rapids.
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Grand Rapids was recognized by Pope Leo XIII in 1882, and several Catholic churches were built in Grand Rapids and the surrounding region, many of them formed to meet the needs of various immigrant groups. Saint Mary's Catholic Church began as a German Catholic parish, the Basilica of Saint Adalbert served the Polish Catholic community, and Saints Peter and Paul was a Catholic church for those who had immigrated from Lithuania.
Various Protestant churches were also formed to meet particular immigrant groups, such as Grace Evangelical for the Ethiopian community.
While Christianity still represents a large majority of the religious population of Grand Rapids, the city has a temple for Reform Judaism in Temple Emmanuel, which was founded in 1857, as well as Ahavas Israel, a Conservative Jewish congregation founded in 1892. The Al-Tawheed Islamic Center serves the city's Muslim population, the West Michigan Hindu Temple serves Hindu residents, and the Grand Rapids Buddhist Temple and Zen Center focuses on American Buddhism.
Grand Rapids hosts the annual Pagan Pride Day, and the city is also the headquarters of the Center for Inquiry in Michigan, which is an atheist organization.
According to a recent survey, 55.0% of respondents in Grand Rapids cited an affiliation with a religion. This compares to 41.9% of all Michiganders, and 49.4% of Americans.
Of those with a Christian affiliation in Grand Rapids, the largest group were the Catholics, but they were followed closely by the Presbyterians, and distantly by the Methodists, Lutherans, Baptists, Pentecostals, Mormons, and Episcopalians, although several Protestant groupings were not part of the survey, and 12.7% of respondents cited an affiliation with various Protestant denominations that weren't included in the survey or with non-denominational churches.
Respondents citing Islam as their affiliation was represented by 1.4% of respondents, various Eastern religions were cited by 0.4%, and Judaism by 0.2% of respondents in Grand Rapids.
Regardless of the religion, denomination, or sect, websites representing places of worship or ministries in Grand Rapids, Michigan are appropriate resources for this category.
Recommended Resources
The non-denominational Christian church is on East Beltline NE in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Direction, a map showing the location of the church, office hours, contacts, and a library catalog are presented, and its ministries to children, students, and adults, as well as its missions and outreach programs, are spelled out. Staff and church leadership contacts are posted, and a statement of beliefs is published to the site, with a worship schedule and calendar of upcoming programs and events.
https://calvarygr.org/
The Roman Catholic Church is part of the Diocese of Grand Rapids. Located on Sheldon Boulevard in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the parish is also the Mother Church of the Diocese. Its history, an overview of the Cathedral, and parish registration information are put forth. Its ministries to children, youth, and adults are outlined, along with its programs for returning Catholics and those interested in becoming a Catholic. Other resources include church bulletins, and clergy and staff contacts.
http://www.cathedralofsaintandrew.org/
The Jewish congregation in Grand Rapids, Michigan was formed through a merger of two Orthodox Jewish congregations in Grand Rapids, Temple Beth Israel, and Ahavas Achim, in 1937. In 1947, the congregation joined the United Synagogue of America, now known as the United Synagogue for Conservative Judaism, and moved to Lafayette Street in 1953, and to its current location in 1971. Its history, positions, membership policies, and a calendar of events are published on the site.
https://www.ahavasisraelgr.org/
The Grand Rapids, Michigan congregation meets at its facilities on Scribner Avenue. Its location and history are set forth, and parking information, a video walk-through, doctrinal statement, and a statement of beliefs are put forth, along with its policies on baptism and child dedication, information about its partnership programs, prayer services, and a calendar of upcoming programs and events. Live-streaming of services, podcasts of past services, a pastor's blog, and contacts are posted.
https://crossroads-bible.org/
The GRBT is an American Buddhist temple in Grand Rapids, Michigan, offering a full set of basic and advanced classes, regular meditation periods, and special services. A schedule of upcoming events is published on the site, with contacts, and information on additional programming and services. Directions are posted, and its location is shown on a map. An archive of recorded dharma talks from weekly Sunday services and chants are included, and its educational and volunteer programs are included.
https://www.zengr.org/
Organized as Holland Baptist Church in 1894, the congregation originally conducted both English and Dutch services. It became Quarry Baptist Church in 1945 and took its current name in 1961. Its history, church leadership, a statement of beliefs, and a calendar of upcoming programs and events are set forth, with service times, age-specific ministries, and a map showing the location of the church. A virtual tour of the facilities, phone and fax numbers, and a contact form are put forth.
https://www.hhills.org/
MCC is a Christian congregation on Monroe Avenue NW in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Its beliefs may be summarized in the Apostles Creed, the Nicene Creed, the Heidelberg Catechism, and the second edition of Our World Belongs to God, as approved by the Christian Reformed Church in North America. Its ministries, schedules, and an overview of its ministries to various age groups, art, and justice ministries. Worship services may be viewed online, and a sermon archive is available.
https://www.mccgr.org/
Associated with the Grand West Association, Michigan Conference, of the United Church of Christ, First (Park) Congregational church is located on East Park Place NE in Grand Rapids, Michigan. A map shows the location of the church, its history is told, and its schedules and a calendar of programs and events are included. Staff contacts are posted, and a virtual tour of the church is included. Its commitment to affirming the LGBTQ community is outlined, and its music ministries are outlined.
https://www.parkchurchgr.org
The Jewish Federation of Grand Rapids
Organized in 1947, the Jewish Federation works closely with other local, national, and international Jewish organizations to help assure the strength and wellbeing of Jewish people in West Michigan. Based in Grand Rapids, its history, mission, programs, and services are outlined on the site, and its staff, its board, and contacts are presented. A calendar of events is published on the site, and an overview of its community services and a community directory are included.
https://www.jewishgrandrapids.org/
Located on Whitneyville Avenue SE in Ada, Michigan, the Hindu Temple's mission is to promote the values of peace, harmony, and human values of truth, tolerance, forgiveness, respect for one another, and sharing through prayer, Bhajans, and community spirit. The temple deities and priests are introduced, along with the Temple Pracharak, deity sponsors, and its governing body. A history of the temple is provided, and an overview of its services and a calendar of events are included.
http://westmichiganhindutemple.org/
