Resthaven purchases former Bethany Christian Reformed Church in Holland
HOLLAND — A local provider of senior care has announced plans to purchase the former Bethany Christian Reformed Church in Holland.
According to a release, Bethany’s Legacy Committee approached Resthaven in 2022 to inform them the church at 11 E. 32nd St. was closing.
The church and Resthaven’s Maple Woods Campus were neighbors for years. Resthaven purchased the church’s parsonage back in 2016. The parsonage was demolished in 2017.
“Although we don’t like to see a church close its doors, especially one with a long history in our community, we are pleased with the opportunity the property provides to us as an organization as we continue to serve seniors in our community,” said Resthaven President and CEO Deedre Vriesman.
Fund Development Manager Lindsey Zona said the property will remain as it currently stands for the foreseeable future, giving the company time to “envision and plan for how we can best serve the seniors in our community on the property.”
”(Because it's) directly adjacent to the Maple Woods Campus, it allows us to explore how we can use the entire property for an assisted living program to eventually replace the Maple Woods legacy building,” Zona wrote in an email.
Maple Woods was constructed in 1955. It was Resthaven's first campus.
“The legacy building has served thousands of residents in its time, but has some design and structural limitations that (don't) allow for significant redesign to be consistent with the needs and wishes of today’s seniors," Zona said.
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For now, the building will be leased to a local church that needs the space. An outbuilding will be leased to a local nonprofit.
Dan Walcott, who served on Bethany Christian Reformed Church's Legacy Committee, said it was a tough decision to close the church's doors but was ultimately the right choice.
Resthaven was founded in 1945 and is a Holland-based nonprofit senior living community. They offer independent living, assisted living and skilled nursing options.
— Contact reporter Austin Metz at ametz@hollandsentinel.com.
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Resthaven purchases former Bethany Christian Reformed Church in Holland
