EXHIBIT 5

                                  May 11, 2001

Macatawa Bank Corporation
348 South Waverly Road
Holland, Michigan 49423

Ladies and Gentlemen:

   This opinion is rendered in connection with the proposed issue and sale by
Macatawa Bank Corporation, a Michigan corporation (the "Company") of up to
1,610,000 shares of the Company's common stock, no par value (the "Common
Stock"), upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Company's Registration
Statement on Form S-2 (the "Registration Statement") filed by the Company with
the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended. We have acted as counsel for the Company in connection with the
issuance and sale of Common Stock by the Company.

   In rendering the opinion contained herein, we have relied in part upon
examination of the Company's corporate records, documents, certificates and
other instruments and the examination of such questions of law as we have
considered necessary or appropriate for the purpose of rendering this opinion.

   Based upon the foregoing, we advise you that, in our opinion, the shares of
Common Stock of the Company, in an amount up to 1,610,000 shares to be issued
by the Company as described in the Registration Statement in accordance with
the terms stated in the Registration Statement, including receipt by the
Company of payment for such shares of Common Stock as described in the
Registration Statement, at the time the Registration Statement becomes
effective, will be duly and legally authorized, issued and outstanding, and
will be fully paid and nonassessable.

   We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an Exhibit to the
Registration Statement and the reference to our firm under the caption "Legal
Matters" in the Prospectus forming a part of the Registration Statement. In
giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we are within the category of
persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, or the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange
Commission relating thereto.

Very truly yours,

VARNUM, RIDDERING, SCHMIDT & HOWLETT llp

/s/ VARNUM, RIDDERING, SCHMIDT & HOWLETT llp