Our Story

Hermitage at Diamond

Since 1875, the church at the corner of Hermitage and Diamond has been a defining architectural icon of the neighborhood, and it’s our mission to keep it that way. Originally Third Reformed Church, the building is starting a new life. Through the efforts of this organization, Hermitage at Diamond is becoming a versatile venue that will inspire and connect art, music, and community.

Why? Because restoring this property is a huge win for environmental sustainability. By preserving this irreplaceable structure, we are refreshing its core integrity and purpose: an inclusive space for community.

Through donations, grants, and partnerships, we will reach our goal for total use of the property.

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    The building is constructed as a place of worship for the Third Reformed Church in the “Brikyaat” neighborhood of Grand Rapids.

    1875

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    The parsonage is built next door to the church, adding a second structure to the property.

    1900

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    Stained glass installed in the church.

    1910

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    Connector built to bridge church to parsonage.

    1946

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    The Third Reformed Church relocates and sells the property to the Church of God in Christ, a primarily African American congregation.

    1968

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    Recognizing the historic significance of the church structure, the Church of God in Christ applied for and received permission to include the property in the National Register of Historic Places.

    1982

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    A third congregation, Iglesia Resurrección Y Vida, purchases the property. Because of declining membership and rising maintenance costs, the building falls into disrepair and is subsequently condemned.

    1995

Restoration: A New Chapter

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    Drawn to its impressive structural beauty and potential as a community space, Carol Moore, a local preservationist, purchased the property.

    2017

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    Hermitage at Diamond Inc. is established as a nonprofit organization, earning its 501(c)(3) status.

    2020

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    The project reached its first significant milestone: the southside facelift. Twenty stained glass windows and four massive entry doors are restored and installed.

    2023

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    Hermitage at Diamond celebrates 150 years of the iconic landmark with a $150,000 for 150 years fundraising campaign to finish and install the final two rose windows in the fall of 2025.

    2025

A Look Ahead

Restoring a 19th-century building is a lot of work. The good news is that the property has already come a long way. With the exterior nearly finished, the next phase will move efforts inside.

This includes:

Want to be a HVAC hero? Or maybe an accessibility ambassador is more your thing? Help us finish the next phase. More information on this phase will be shared in the fall of 2025.
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