SAND LAKE, Mich. (WOOD) — A Kent County church is set to close its doors this weekend after operating for more than a century.

Mary Queen of Apostles in Sand Lake will be merging with St. John Paul II in Cedar Springs as part of a recent plan released by the Catholic Diocese of Grand Rapids.

In the final Rooted In Christ pastoral plan released in June, the Diocese cited the lack of priests as the main reason for the sale and mergers of some of their churches.

The church's pastor, Father Lam Le told News 8 that the bishop only ordained one priest in 2024 and 0 in 2025. During that time, around seven priests either retired or relocated.

"The priests of the diocese asking our bishop to take a look at the reality with what are we, are facing with taking into account how many masses a pries

See Full Page