KALAMAZOO, Mich. (WOOD) — Catholics in Kalamazoo are split regarding the future of the historic Motherhouse building on the Nazareth property.
The Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph owns the building, which historically housed nuns. It says it and the surrounding buildings should bedeconstructed. Eileen Biehl, communications manager for the congregation, said the sisters are certainly sad to see the building go but that their mission goes beyond the walls of any one building.
“Preserving the building would have proven too costly,” Biehl said. “Our resources are best used serving the community elsewhere.”
Portions of buildings on the property date back to the late 1800s. The towering entryway to the Motherhouse building, complete with four massive columns, was completed in 1929.
Deacon Louis Zemlick says the building's history means it shouldn't be destroyed. His aunt, Sister Anna Cryan, was with Sisters of St. Joseph and lived at the Motherhouse.
“We as people basically rent this stuff. We rent these beautiful things. We don’t own these things,” Zemlick said. “Therefore we have no right to destroy these things, and when one generation thinks that they can just destroy another generation's gift to the community, that outrages me.”
Zemlick has tried to reach out to the sisters of St. Joseph, asking them to delay their plans for another year by creatinga websiteand organizing protests against the building's impending demolition.
“We’re trying to make a public statement both for the city of Kalamazoo to act on this, to deny them any type of demolition permit, but also to give us a year,” Zemlick said. “One year to respond to what they want. 'Cause we’ve asked the sisters: 'Tell us what you want. Tell us how much money you want.'”
Zemlick and others opposed to the demolition are planning to gather in front of Motherhouse at 10 a.m. Monday.
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