USA > Iowa > Marion County > Pella > Souvenir history of Pella, Iowa : contains a concise story of the founding and life of Pella, Iowa > Part 10
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It was not until 1857, however, that a regular banking institution was organ- ized. This was known as the "Central Exchange & Land Offiee," organized and managed by H. P. Seholte, P. H. Bousquet and John Nollen. After a short time the name of this institution was changed to the "Pella Savings Institution," incor- porated under the laws of Iowa by P. H. Bousquet and John Nollen.
Starting in a year of great panic and business depression, with bank failures almost a daily oceurrence, it is to the credit of this institution, and beeause of the absolute faith of the entire community in the ability and integrity of Cashier John Nollen, that this young financial institution weathered the storms that ship- wreeked so many older and rieher banks. The confidence thus shown in Mr. Nollen by the entire community was not misplaced and never suffered a mo- ment's ehange throughout his long career as a leading banker of Pella. That he was a tower of strength to the financial interests of Pella and one of the chief factors in building up the old "Pella National Bank" is a tradition in this com- munity.
From the humble beginning in 1857 of the "Central Exchange & Land Offiee" was developed the solid and important banking eoncern, known as the Pella Na- tional Bank, which after 67 years of continuous and suecessful business is still known as the oldest and one of the leading banking institutions of Pella.
Through the courtesy of the present officials of the bank we are enabled to give below a statement of the first day's banking done in Pella.
TRANSCRIPT OF FIRST DAY'S BANKING DONE IN PELLA Deposit & Cheek Book, No. 1
Central Iowa Exchange, Land & Collecting Agency
May 15, 1857 Deposits
May 15, 1857 Cheeks
James Muntingh 204.40 Cy.
H. P. Seholte
Parker's Express
32.25
Gazette Offiee
219.75 Cy. 40.09
Henekle & Co., per
By Balanee
280.20
J. Nollen
231.45 Cy. 46.94
J. Nollen
J. Muntingh
25.00 Cy.
540.04
540.04
100
SOUVENIR HISTORY OF PELLA, IOWA
May 16, 1857 Deposits
May 16, 1857 Cheeks
P. H. Bousquet 66
375.00 8.00
Henckle & Co., per J. Nollen
58.10 Cy. 9.25
J. Muntingh
27.00 Cy.
Gazette Office P. H. Bousquet By Balance 434.25
510.00
May 18, 1857 Deposits
H. P. Scholte
7.00
J. Nollen
5.00
H. P. Scholte
5.00
H. P. Scholte
200.00
To Balance
261.95
Henckle & Co., per J. Nollen 45.25
J. Nollen
.70
278.95
May 19, 1857 Deposits
May 19, 1857 Checks
H. P. Scholte 8.00 Cy.
J. Nollen
5.00
Parker's Express 4.50
Henckle & Co., per J. Nollen 63.25
By Balance 81.00
161.75
161.75
May 20, 1857 Deposits
May 20, 1857 Checks
J. Muntingh
200.00 Cy. .50
H. P. Scholte
200.00
Pella Brass Band Henckle & Co., per J. Nollen By Balance
8.50
66.00
275.00
275.00
May 21, 1857 Deposits
May 21, 1857 Checks
B. F. Keables J. Muntingh
20.00 "
To Balance
55.00
100.00
J. Nollen .40
Henckle & Co., per J. Nollen
100.00 Cy.
8.00 Cy.
510.00
May 18, 1857 Checks
H. P. Scholte 12.00 Cy.
Gazette Office 21.00
L. H. Van Spanckeren
151.00
J. Muntingh
10.00
Parker's Express
.25
Gazette Office
.50
J. Muntingh Pella Brass Band
5.00 Cy.
70.00 Cy.
25.00 Cy.
H. P. Scholte
62.00 Cy. 38.00
100.00
278.95
101
HISTORICAL EVENTS AND ARRIVALS FROM HOLLAND 1854-1857
May 22, 1857 Deposits
May 22, 1857 Checks
P. H. Bousquet, ck. on N. Y.
25.00
Henckle & Co., per
H. Van Houten
50.00 Cy.
J. Nollen 7.30
J. Nollen Gazette Office
10.00
Gazette Office .75
24.50
5.00
10.00
J. Nollen .15
106.30
119.50
119.50
By Balance
The transit box of the Dutch which conveyed their gold and val- uables to America.
The iron chest or strong box, in which the money of the colonists was brought over from the Netherlands, is still preserved in the Pella National Bank. It was handmade by Dutch blacksmiths in the old country, and is an ingenious piece of work.
In the front of the box is a keyhole, into which the great iron key fits per- fectly, but upon turning the key the box fails to unlock. That keyhole is a "blind," the real one being in the center of the lid, concealed by what appears to be the head of one of the large rivets. A smart tap on the side of this rivet head caused it to turn on a pivot, revealing the true keyhole. One turn of the key moves eight bolts-three on each side and one at each end-that fit in sockets in the wall of the chest. This old box is one of the highly prized relics of Marion County.
102
SOUVENIR HISTORY OF PELLA, IOWA
FIRST FINANCIAL INSTITUTION
-
1
PELLA NATIONAL BANK IN 1872
P.H.BOSQUET
R.R.BEARD
JOHN NOLLEN
H.P. SCHOLTE
FOUNDERS OF THE PELLA NATIONAL BANK, PELLA, IOWA, 1872
103
HISTORICAL EVENTS AND ARRIVALS FROM HOLLAND 1854-1857
PF
A. N. Kuyher's First Lumber Yard
-
SANDERS CO.ST.LOUIS
Blommer's Roller Mills
104
SOUVENIR HISTORY OF PELLA, IOWA
Birdseye View of Pella in 1857
105
HISTORICAL EVENTS AND ARRIVALS FROM HOLLAND 1854-1857
ARRIVALS FROM HOLLAND IN 1857
Bruin, de Jacob
Bruin, de J. Mrs.
Ginkel, van Heintje
Bruin, de Jan
Ginkel, van Evertje
Bruin, de Maartje
Ginkel, van Grietje
Bruin, de Cornelis
Bruin, de Aaltje
Bruin, de Heintje
Bruin, de Joost
Bruinekool, Cornelis
Bruinekool, Cs. Mrs.
Bruinekool, Hendrik
Bruinekool, Jacoba
Bruinekool, Trijntje
Haan, de H. Mrs.
Haan, de Jeintje
Haan, de Frank
Kous, de Frederick
Byer, Hart
Byer, Heintje
Beyer, Gerrit
Beyer, Gysbert
Beyer, Evertje
Bouma, Aart
Bouma, Aart Mrs.
Bouma, Catharina
Bieshaar, Koendert
Bieshaar, K. Mrs.
Bieshaar, Jansje
Bieshaar, Evertje
Bieshaar, Teunis
Brake, van der Gerrit
Brake, van der G. Mrs.
Brake, van der Evertje
Brake, van der Hannis
Brake, van der Aartje
Es, van Albertus Es, van Ruth
Gorter, Jacob Gorter, J. Mrs. Gorter, Jitske
Ginkel, van Aalt Ginkel, van Aalt Mrs. Ginkel, van Dirk
Kamp, van der Willem
Kamp, van der Maria Mrs.
Kamp, van der Wouter
Kamp, van der Gerrit
Kamp, van der Jan
Myden, van der Gerrit
Middendorp, Otto
Middendorp, Willem
Middendorp, Wm. Mrs.
Middendorp, Nennetje
Middendorp, Besseltje
Nieuwerf, Nicholas
Prenger, de Cornelis
Prenger, de Cs. Mrs.
Prenger, de Jan
Prenger, de Pleuntje
Plette, Evert Plette, Evert Mrs. Plette, Lubertus
Ploeg, van der Dirk
Ploeg, van der D. Mrs.
Ploeg, van der Ruurd
Ploeg, van der Teerde
Ploeg, van der Sibbeltje
Peyer, Albert Peyer, Albert Mrs. Peyer, Hendrik
Ginkel, van Jan
Ginkel, van Gerrit
Ginkel, van Ennetje
Ginkel, van Klaas
Ginkel, van Willem
Ginkel, van Albert
Ginkel, van Elizabeth
Haan, de Hendrik
Bruinekool, Jannigje
Bruinekool, Hendrika - Bruinekool, Jan Bruinekool, Pieter
Ginkel, van Aagje
106
SOUVENIR HISTORY OF PELLA, IOWA
Polen, van Melis Polen, van M. Mrs.
Roorda, Epke A.
Roorda, Epke A. Mrs.
Roorda, Hendrik
Roorda, Gerrit
Roorda, Henke
Roorda, Ruert
Roekel, van Willem
Stuirop, Luig
Stuirop, Luig Mrs.
Stuirop, Aaltje
Stuirop, Matje
Stuirop, Hendrik
Stuirop, Gerritje
Stuirop, Gerrit
Sneller, Ryer
Sneller, Aartje
Sneller, Klaas
Sneller, Christiaan
Schakel, Arie
Steenhoek, Arie
Steenhoek, Arie Mrs.
Stomphorst, Hendrik
Stomphorst, H. Mrs.
Stomphorst, Trintje
Stomphorst, Jannigje
Stomphorst, Bessie
Stomphorse, Hendrik Wz.
Steeg, van der Gerrit
Steeg, van der G. Mrs.
Steeg, van der Jan
Steeg, van der Aaltje
Steeg, van der Jansje
Steeg, van der Gerrit
Steeg, van der Jacoba
Steenbergen, van Wmn.
Steenbergen, van Wm. Mrs.
Steenbergen, van Jannigje
Steenbergen, van Aaltje
Steenbergen, van Willem
Steenbergen, van Aartje
Steenbergen, van Hendrik
Wal, van der Peter Wal, van der Peter Mrs.
Wild, de Albert Wild, de Albert Mrs.
Wild, de Hendrik
Zahn, G. P. H.
Leading Events of the Period from 1858-1866
Before the close of the year 1856, five men, who, because of their character and ability, had taken leading parts in the life of the community, were called to their reward.
The death of H. Barendregt and of J. Smeenk has already been mentioned. That of A. E. Dudok occurred on the 8th day of September, 1856. On the 14th day of October, 1858, J. E. Streng died at the early age of forty-one years. Jacob Maasdam, a gifted and devout leader in the religious life of the community, was called home.
These men had all taken a prominent part in the religious, educational and business life of the colony, and their loss was severely felt and sincerely mourned for many years.
While the great panic of 1857, the political unrest that preceded the civil war, and the titanic struggle that followed, naturally had a detrimental effect on the development of the community, yet there was a slow but steady growth dur- ing the period.
The two-story brick building still standing on the corner of Franklin street, one block west of the square, was built by F. Botterman and used as a brewery and vinegar works. The brothers, Dirk and Levi Beintema, started a pottery works on the lot now occupied by the B. Buerkens home. Across the street from Beintema Bros., the Mathes Brothers had a stone cutting plant. In 1859 C. M. McClatchy built and operated a large and well-equipped woolen mills, the first industry of the kind in Marion county and, for that matter, in central Iowa. About the same time LeCocq Bros. started a cigar factory on West Washington street, in the location occupied for many years for the same purpose by J. F. LeCocq, Sr. In addition to the plow and wagon shop run by Schif & Veenman from the first beginning of the settlement, Hendrik De Haan and J. H. Markus started a similar factory on East Franklin street. Jan Barneveld carried on an extensive business in stoves, tinware, etc. Mattheus De Haan had bought out George Henkelar, and carried a full line of stoves and tinware. He was located just east of the C. Rhynsburger store. Barneveld was on the corner now occu- pied by the Van der Meiden blacksmith shop.
In addition to the mercantile establishments that were doing business in 1855, a list of which is found in preceding chapters, the following business concerns had been started :
GENERAL STORES
J. A. Napjus P. van der Ley
E. Cowles
Downing & Baker G. M. Taal J. E. Alexander
Willem Slob
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108
SOUVENIR HISTORY OF PELLA, IOWA
OTHER LINES OF MERCANTILE BUSINESS
L. Bach, clothing store
H. Holst, harness factory
J. M. Huiskamp, boots and shoes
C. Van Stigt, boots and shoes
G. H. Hoening, furniture Doedyns & Koop, furniture
The trades were also well represented. The Schmidt Brothers, Carl and Fritz, opened a cabinetmaking shop and operated a turning lathe. The latter was a great help to the builders. They were located in a one-story frame house on the corner where the John Neiberg residence stands.
One of the leading carpenters and builders of those days was A. G. Gesman, who generally had several carpenters working with him. Of the painters in the first years, Hieronijmus Van Nimwegen was easily the leader.
Not only was steady progress noticeable in the town, but also in the sur- rounding territory. Here many new farm homes were built and much timber land was cleared and made to produce food for the colonists. East of Pella Teunis Veenschoten had a barley mill, which furnished a cheap and wholesome article of food for the pioneers. In the first year's issue of the Pella's Weekblad we find the following announcement :
"Pearl Barley .- A fine quality of pearl barley can be had at the low price of five cents per pound, at the Veenschoten farm, or at Van Peursum and at G. Ver Steeg's in Pella."
In addition to the lime kiln run by J. A. Toom, another was operated by Jacob Colyn in connection with his brick kiln. This plant was located southwest of town. By the year 1861 there were nine country school houses in the territory around Pella.
Even in those early days the great "Iowa hog" had established his importance as a leading factor in commerce. To give the present generation some idea of the extent to which the raising of hogs had already developed, we give below an article found in the Pella's Weekblad of December 12, 1861:
"In order to give our readers some idea of the large number of hogs slaugh- tered in Pella, we herewith give the number which some of our merchants have slaughtered in the past week."
G. F. Steegeman 70
Jan Napjus. 150
J. Berkhout
150
Baker & Co. 165
H. De Booy.
200
H. Van Spankeren. 125
Geurt Thomassen 225
G. M. Taal. 100
P. van der Ley 150
James Muntingh
317
Total. 2,002
MARKET REPORTS
Flour, per 100 1bs., $1.50@2.00
Bacon, smoked, per 100 lbs., $6.00
Bacon, dry, salt, per 100 lbs., $3.25
Wheat, per bushel, 39c
Butter, per pound, 8@10c
Corn, per bushel, 15@16c
Oats, per bushel, 121%@15c
Potatoes, per bushel, 20@30c
Onions, per bushel, 50@60c
Eggs, per dozen, 61% c
Hogs, per hundred, $2.00
Grafe & Co. 350
109
LEADING EVENTS OF THE PERIOD FROM 1858-1866
COMING OF THE RAILROAD IN 1866
Undoubtedly no event of more far reaching effect on the life and commerce of Pella and vicinity has occurred than the completion of the Des Moines Valley Railroad. For six years the terminus of this road had been at Eddyville, but in 1866 it was completed to Des Moines.
The result was that Pella became the distributing point for a large territory including all of Marion, the greater part of Jasper and the western part of Mahaska counties. For nine years, or up to 1875 when a railroad came to Knoxville, Pella was one of the leading shipping and commercial centers of this part of Iowa. To give present day citizens some idea of the scope of the business done her, we give a summary of th goods handled by the railroad in 1873.
BUSINESS DONE BY RAILROAD AT PELLA DURING THE YEAR 1873
Pounds
11 cars of horses
220,000
143 cars of cattle.
.2,516,000
476 cars of hogs.
. 6,734,000
13 cars of sheep.
156,000
Mess pork
955
Lard and tallow
115,125
Hides
86,095
Wool
53,770
Wheat
.3,843,750
Corn
120,000
Oats
4,659,735
Flour
1,093,960
Grass seed
46,730
Wool
20,000
Potatoes
1,982,905
Stone and brick.
894,070
Agricultural implements
115,270
Eggs and butter
709,445
Household goods
87,420
Merchandise
306,570
Money realized by the railroad on above freight, $40,739.35; money received by the railroad for freight delivered at Pella, $52,930.91; money received for tickets sold during the year, $16,860.65; total, $110,361.31.
By the completion of two other lines of railroad through Marion county, Pella lost a considerable part of this trade. This is shown by the following table of shipments for a later period.
Shipments from Pella during six months ending November 30, 1879 :
Car Loads
Òats
167
Corn
35
Wheat
53
Butter and eggs
40
Potatoes
183
Hogs
146
110
SOUVENIR HISTORY OF PELLA, IOWA
Cattle 31
Rock 17
Merchandise 12
Household goods 20
This temporary check to the business and growth of the city was scarcely noticeable except in the statistics of the place. Surrounded as it was by so fer- tile a country and having tributary to it an increasingly large population of in- dustrious and thrifty people, it has continued to remain a place of considerable commercial importance.
BUSINESS HOUSES IN 1881
In 1881 there were two exclusive dry goods stores-J. S. Baker was located where the Farmers' National Bank is, and L. Bach where the Model Clothing is now doing business.
There were eleven stores carrying general merchandise with the following named proprietors: G. F. Stegeman, G. Thomassen, William Slob, Kruidenier Brothers, Beard & Scholte, H. De Booy, C. Rhynsburger, B. G. Bowen, John Dyks- tra, B. H. Van Spanckeren and John D. Gaass.
There were six exclsive grocery stores, two hardware stores, two delaers in stoves and tinware, three harness shops, two furniture stores, three dealers in boots and shoes and four drug and book stores.
There were three grain dealers, two banks, two lumber yards, two grist mills, two woolen mills, one livery stable, two elevators, five hotels, six saloons, three weekly papers.
At that time Pella boasted of one university, three public schools and twelve churches.
LUNCH ROOM.
ICE
The old restaurant formerly conducted by Dena Vander Pol. To the extreme right will be found Mrs. Vander Pol, her son, James, and daughter, Katie, now Mrs. Wagaman, of Prairie City,
Origin and Development of the Churches
The nature of this book will not permit us to go into all the doctrinal and denominational controversies that marked the early church history of the com- munity. But we would not do justice to the devout and God-fearing pioneers of the early days, if we failed to emphasize the fact, that with all their energy and enthusiasm along the lines of material development, the religious life of the com- munity received first and paramount attention. No other characteristic is so marked in the history of our forefathers, than their devotion to their religious principles; and all the struggles and privations incident to life in the wilderness were not permitted to interfere with the proper exercise and observance of the worship of the God in whom they put their trust.
It has already been stated that before a church building had been erected, services were held each Sabbath day in the home of G. H. Overkamp. Rev. H. P. Scholte led the religious services in the beginning, but owing to doctrinal dif- ferences it was not long before several group of worshippers were formed. Prior to 1856 none of these groups were identified with any of the organized denomina- tions, but formed independent congregations with their own laws and regulations.
The leaders of the four groups of which we have a record are, of the first, Rev. H. P. Scholte.
Of the second, Rev. A. J. Betten, J. Maasdam, A. C. Kuyper, K. De Hoog, I. Overkamp and G. H. Overkamp.
Of the third, J. Van den Berge, A. Nultenbok, Oosterling, and W. De Haan.
The fourth group, consisting of about twenty members, met at the house of D. Van Ham.
THE FIRST REFORMED CHURCH OF PELLA
The First Reformed Church of Pella, Iowa, is the first Reformed church that was organized in Iowa or anywhere west of the Mississippi river. It is the mother church of the Particular Synod of Iowa. It was organized in 1856 by Dr. A. C. Van Raalte.
The date of the Holland settlement of which Pella was the center under the leadership of Rev. H. P. Scholte, was in 1847. But the religious in- terests of the community for the first nine years after its settlement were served by an independent church organization called "De Christelikje Kerk." The causes for the new organization were in the main twofold. First, some misunderstanding that arose between Rev. Scholte and his church. Sec- ond, a feeling of the need of fellowship with other Christian churches. So a majority of the member- ship of "De Christelikje Kerk" determined to seek affiliation with the Reformed churches in Michi- gan, and consequently invited Dr. A. C. Van Raalte to come to show them the way in which they must proceed. He came as a representative of the Classis of Holland and with power to organize a church.
DR. P. J. OGGEL 1st Minister of First Reformed Church
On September 19, 1856, the organization was effected and the new Consistory was incorporated under the laws of the state of Iowa. Dr. Van Raalte remained with them for a few weeks, preaching for them
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First Consistory of the First Reformed Church
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-
4
1
2
3
7
5
6
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
1. Pieter Preesman. 2. Dirk Synhorst. 3. Isaac Overkamp. 4. Jan Jansma. 5. J. F. LeCocq. 6. Rev. Egbert Winter. 7. G. H. Overkamp. 8. K. Van Stigt. 9. H. Kuyper. 10. A. Van de Roovaart. 11. H. Wormhoudt. 12. A. B. Van Zante. 13. J. Hospers. 14. A. Van Stigt.
113
ORIGIN AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE CHURCHES
on Sunday and doing pastoral work during the week; and his labors were abun- dantly blessed, many people uniting with the church on confession of their faith. In those days there were meetings of the consistory two or three times every week and at every meeting there were those who desired to unite with the church. The words of Acts 2:47 were literally applicable to the First Church of Pella at that time: "The Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved." On October 7, 1856, the consistory called a fast-and-prayer-day and the members of the church were instructed to beseech the Lord for guidance of the Holy Spirit in the selection of a minister of the Gospel for the church, which selection was to be made at a meeting of the congregation held in the evening of that day. The choice of the congregation was Dr. Van Raalte, and he was called. From correspondence of that time it is known that Dr. Van Raalte was very much inclined to accept the call; but on account of an urgent letter which he received from the secretary of the board of education, stating that his presence could not be spared in Holland, Mich., in connection with the venture of Hope Academy, he declined the call. One can hardly help wondering what would have been the result for the development of the Reformed Church in America in the middle west if Van Raalte had accepted. One result would have been more than probable. Hope College would have been founded at Pella and possibly Central at Holland, Mich.
Now followed three years of fruitless effort to secure a pastor. They issued a second call on Dr. Van Raalte. They further called Dr. Brummelkamp from the Netherlands, as also Dr. Donner from the same country. At last, in the be- ginning of 1860, Rev. P. J. Oggel accepted a second call from the First Church and he soon after began his work in this field.
The following pastorates have left their marks upon the church: Rev. P. J. Oggel, 1860-63; Dr. Egbert Winter, 1866-83; Dr. William Moerdyk, 1886-89; Dr. Peter De Pree, 1891-96; Dr. Henry J. Veldman, 1888-91; Rev. John Van Westen- burg, 1902-95; Rev. S. Van der Werf, 1905-1913; Rev. Wesselink, 1913.
The church at present supports three ministers: Dr. J. Oltmans, missionary in Japan; Rev. John R. Mulder, teacher of Bible and college pastor at Central Col- lege; Rev. John Wesselink, in their own pulpit.
The present building is over fifty years old. It was built on the installment plan during the years 1869-72, as they had the money to pay for material and labor. It was completed without aid from the outside and cost originally about $13,000. The building has been remodeled a few times since that date, especially on the inside, the last change being in the basement, which was equipped for Sunday School work in 1920. But in the main the structure has remained as originally put up.
The congregation at present numbers 675 members in full communion, with a Sunday School enrollment of 659. The total contributions for benevolent pur- poses in 1921 was $10,653 and for home support $11,683.
THE SECOND REFORMED CHURCH
The congregation of the Second Reformed Church of Pella was organized the 13th day of February, 1863. The first pastor was Rev. Abram Thompson, who served the congregation from 1863 to 1874, with the exception of about one year. In the fall of 1871 the Classis of Illinois called Rev. Thompson to act as stated supply in Pekin, Ill. In December of 1872 he returned to Pella and again took up the work as pastor, in which he continued until April, 1874, when he accepted a call as rector of Rutgers College, New Brunswick, N. J.
No pastor ever served a congregation in Pella, who was so universally loved and respected as the Rev. Abram Thompson. This feeling was not confined to
S
114
SOUVENIR HISTORY OF PELLA, IOWA
the members of his congregation, but included members of every denomination in the city, and people of every walk in life. When it became known to the community that he had accepted the call from Rutgers College, the grief of the entire community was deep and genuine, and when he came to Pella to visit the people whom he loved, in 1882, it was arranged to hold the services in the First Reformed Church building, as no other room in Pella was large enough to hold the vast audience that came to hear him. On Sunday evening, July -, 1882. Dr. Thompson preached his last sermon in Pella, before an audience that crowded the capacity of the First Church.
Four years later, in September, 1886, the entire community was saddened by the news of his death.
The first consistory of the Second Reformed Church chosen at a congrega- tional meeting held the 13th day of February, 1863, was as follows: Elders, Adri- anus Kuyper and Teunis Schenk. Deacons, J. Muntingh and J. Napjes.
From the church hand book of June 1, 1919, we give the following:
ANNALS
1863-February 13, organization of Second Reformed Church.
1863-Sunday School organized.
1864-First Church building erected.
1876-First parsonage bought.
1877-Woman's Missionary Society organized.
1889-Christian Endeavor Society organized.
1900-Second parsonage built.
1902-Pipe organ installed.
1906-Support of foreign missionary undertaken.
1909-Second Church dedicated, April 4, 1909.
1909-Pipe organ installed.
1913-Mizpah Guild organized.
PASTORATES
Abram Thompson, home missionary, 1863-1870.
Abram Thompson, pastor, 1870-1875.
H. R. Schermerhorn, pastor, 1875-1878.
Cyrus Cort, stated supply, 1881-1882.
G. Huyser, pastor, 1883-1885.
A. N. Wykoff, stated supply, 1886-1887.
G. H. Sharpley, pastor, 1888-1892.
Ambrose C. Smith, stated supply, 1893-1893.
James Ossewaarde, pastor, 1894-1898.
Lawrence Dykstra, pastor, 1899-1901.
William J. Van Kersen, pastor, 1902-1910.
B. F. Brinkman, pastor, 1910-1917.
Henry M. Bruins, pastor, 1917.
The present enrollment shows a church membership of 507.
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