ROSEVILLE (WWJ) -- A century-old church in Macomb County is being demolished to make way for a gas station.
This is the Sacred Heart Church, on Gratiot Ave. near Utica Road in Roseville.
The archdiocese sold the land in 2025 because the church that had been there since really 1861, couldn't make ends meet.
"In fact, they racked up a $250,000 debt, and there were no parishioners going to this beautiful church...so the archdiocese sold it," WWJ's Charlie Langton reported.
Sheetz, a major chain of convenience stores and gas stations that has recently been expanding in the Metro Detroit area bought the land.
Sheetz submitted an $8 million proposal to put a 24 hour gas station on that site, and the city's planning commission approved it. After lawsuits by a local historic preservation group failed, Sheetz is moving forward with the project.
Demolition was underway Monday.
"But of course that church has to come down," Langton said. "And right now the demolition crews, they are out tearing down this beautiful, beautiful 48,000 square foot church. You can still see some of the stained glass windows. They are almost gone. They probably won't be there later on today."
The gas station is expected to open sometime in 2027.
