USA > Michigan > Kent County > Grand Rapids > Grand Rapids and Kent County, Michigan: History and Account of Their Progress from First. Vol. I > Part 50
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The Reformed Church in America is the daughter of the Re- formed Church in the Netherlands. When the first settlers from Hol- land came to New Amsterdam, in New Netherlands, now New York City, in 1622, they brought their pastors and school teachers with them, and set themselves immediately to the task of building churches and schools. Similarly, when more than two centuries later, in 1847, a new tide of immigration set in from Holland, and hundreds came to the wilds of Western Michigan, they immediately established churches of their own faith and order. Under the leadership of Revs. A. C. Van Raalte, D. D., C. Vander Meulen, and M. Ypma, they col- onized principally in Ottawa and Allegan Counties. In a little while, however, many came to Grand Rapids for the purpose of obtaining work. The pioneer Hollander in this city, and certainly the pioneer churchman, was Francis Van Driele, so long and favorably known in both church and business circles. In August, 1849, Dr. A. C. Van Raalte, of Holland, organized a church here, installing F. Van Driele and G. Dalman as elders. The congregation continued to hold serv- ices in the First Reformed Church edifice on Michigan street until 1854, when they occupied the new brick church on Bostwick street, now used by Van Driele & Company as a warehouse. They seem to have experienced great difficulty in securing a pastor, until in 1854, when the Rev. G. H. Klyn was secured. He was a man of undoubted piety, and his labors were greatly blessed during the first two years of his pastorate, but he seems to have been lacking in strength of character, and when a spirit of secession arose, in 1856, he was pre- vailed upon to become its leader, and on Sabbath morning, Jan. 27, 1857, declared his purpose to secede. In 1859 Rev. W. A. Houbolt was called as pastor and remained two years, closing what may be called "the period of struggle." The period of rapid growth and sig- nal prosperity began with the pastorate of that genial and fatherly
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man, the Rev. Cornelius Vander Meulen, in 1861. The church was enlarged several times, but proved inadequate for the needs of the growing congregation, so that in 1870 the large church on the east side of Bostwick avenue, near Lyon street, was built, the cornerstone being laid on May 31. The pastor continued to labor with zeal and enthusiasm until the infirmities of age compelled him to seek relief, in 1873. Rev. N. H. Dosker was now called from the Netherlands to succeed him in the pastorate, and proved to be the man eminently qualified for the work demanded. He was both a strong preacher and a wise leader, and the genial Vander Meulen remained his co-pastor for about three years, or nearly to the day of his death, which oc- curred in August, 1876, at the age of 76 years. In 1883 the pastor resigned to accept a call from Kalamazoo. In 1884 Rev. Egbert Win- ter, D. D., was called from Pella, Iowa, to assume the pastorate of the church, and he, with signal ability and success, shepherded this flock for eleven years. A time of trial came to the Second Church in 1895, when during May the church building was burned to the ground, and in the following month the pastor, Rev. Winter, was called to the Theological Seminary at Holland. But the people took fresh courage and set themselves with enthusiasm to the task of building a new house of worship, and within a year a more beautiful edifice, and better adapted to the needs of the church, had arisen, phoenix-like, from the ashes. In 1896 the Rev. Dr. J. DeRey assumed the pastorate and remained three years and a half. Rev. Matthew Kolyn assumed charge in April, 1901, and remained until 1911, when he was suc- ceeded by the Rev. Henry Hospers. The latter officiated until 1917, and since then the church has been without a pastor. A movement has been started, and is said to be favored by both congregations, to unite the First and Second Reformed Churches in one organization.
In the work of the Second Reformed Church it was found that the extraordinary growth of the mother church necessitated the build- ing of chapels at the eastern and northern limits of the city. The first to aspire to the dignity of an independent organization was that in the eastern part of the city, in the neighborhood of what was known as "the brickyard." On Oct. 1, 1875, sixty-two members were en- rolled, and these were followed by forty-six others soon afterward, making a total of ninety families in the course of a few months. The first building was 30x50 feet, which soon proved too small to ac- commodate the rapidly growing congregation, and it was enlarged to 50x80 feet, and in 1886 again enlarged to 50x100 feet ; and it has been greatly improved during recent years, being an ornament to that part of the city. On Dec. 15, 1875, the first pastor, the Rev. A. Kriek- aard, was called, and he remained with the church for nearly twenty- seven years, resigning on account of failing health, in 1902. On April 3, 1903, the Rev. A. W. DeJonge was installed as the second pastor of the church. In October, 1905, he resigned to assume a charge in Iowa. He was succeeded, in 1906, by Rev. Albert Vander Berg, who has continued as pastor up to the present time.
The Fourth Reformed Church, at 1301 Ionia avenue, might very well be called the twin sister of the Third Church, as it was organized only a few weeks later, and both are daughters of the Second Church. A committee of the classis of Grand River, and of which Rev. N. H.
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Dosker was chairman, organized this church Sept. 25, 1875. The chapel or church was dedicated Nov. 26 of the same year. The first pastor, Rev. L. J. Hulst, was installed June 23, 1876. A division of the church, occasioned by an anti-secret society agitation, caused a majority of the congregation to secede in 1881, and the courts gave the seceders the church property. The minority was recognized by classis as the lawful organization and meetings were held for a time in an old grocery store on Coldbrook street, between Ottawa and Ionia avenues. As soon as matters had assumed definite shape after the confusion incident to the secession, a pastor was called and Rev. Peter De Pree was installed, Nov. 16, 1882. In a little while the "store" became too small, and with the generous help of other Reformed Churches in the city and elsewhere, a temporary building was erected on the present site. But so strongly did the resuscitated Fourth Church grow, that a permanent home soon became an imperative necessity, and with the help of the Board of Domestic Missions the present suitable house of worship was erected. Rev. De Pree labored faith- fully and successfully for eight years, and then he was compelled by impaired health to resign, in April, 1891. The succession of pastors since that time has been as follows: Rev. P. J. A. Rouma assumed charge in 1891 and served the church very acceptably until 1894, when he was succeeded by Rev. J. W. Warnshius, who labored enthusias- tically and successfully until 1900, when he was succeeded in turn by Rev. J. Van Houte, who was an able preacher and genial man, but who thought it wise on account of frail health to try a change of cli- mate, and in 1903 he accepted a call to a church in Iowa. The Rev. Cornelius Kuyner assumed charge in January, 1904, and from 1912 to 1915, the Rev. Gerrit Boch officiated. The present pastor, the Rev. Harke Frieling, assumed charge Sept. 1, 1915, and is meeting with encouraging success.
Eighty-six persons presented letters of dismissal from the parent church-the Second-and a new church was organized Jan. 28, 1886, the following being elected as elders: Evert Welmers, Albert Wel- mers, John Wormnest, and Gerrit Antflink. The meetings were held in a hall on Grandville avenue for a while, but this soon proved too small, and in the dead of winter, and in the incredibly short time of four days, willing hands erected a temporary building of 30x64 feet, which served the congregation well until the elegant structure, which is still in use, was completed in the fall. The first pastor, Rev. R. H. Joldersma, who was installed May 26, 1886, was just the man to push this infant enterprise. The building of a church and parson- age was immediately decided upon, and the present commodious church building, at the northwest corner of Church Place and Pleas- ant street, was dedicated on Thanksgiving Day of the same year. Rev. Joldersma resigned in March, 1889, and was succeeded by Rev. Alo Bursma, under whose able and faithful ministry of twelve years the church developed along many lines. On Dec. 5, 1901, the be- loved pastor was suddenly called to be with God, sincerely mourned by the entire congregation, and indeed by all who knew him. Rev. Benjamin Hoffman entered upon his duties June 26, 1902, and con- tinued until Nov. 21, 1912, when he was succeeded by Rev. Liebe C. Nettinga, who has been very successful in many ways.
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On Feb. 14, 1889, Mrs. A. C. Brown, of New York City, a lady deeply interested in domestic mission work, contributed $200 toward building a chapel in Oakdale Park, then a new suburb of the city, and the edifice was dedicated July 2, 1889. The organization of the Sixth Reformed Church took place there Aug. 9, 1889, twenty-eight members in full communion presenting letters, and the majority of them came from the Third Reformed church. The first pastor was Rev. J. M. Lumkes, who served the church until 1893, when he was succeeded by Rev. William Pool, who resigned in 1897. In 1898, Rev. Peter De Pree, D. D., assumed charge and continued to serve as pastor until failing health compelled him to resign, in 1903. He was succeeded by Rev. John De Haan, who served until 1910, when he accepted a pastorate at Kalamazoo. The church was then without a pastor until 1911, when Rev. Harm Dykhuizen was installed, and he served but a short time and then removed to Albany, N. Y. He was succeeded in 1912 by Rev. William J. Duiker, who served until 1917, when he accepted a call in Lansing, Ill., and since then the Sixth Church has been temporarily without a pastor.
The Seventh Reformed Church, a daughter of the Fourth Church, was organized May 1, 1890, by a classical committee, consisting of Revs. P. De Pree, A. Bursma, and Dr. E. Winter. At first a tem- porary church was built on Jennette street, but in a few months plans for a new church were adopted and subscriptions received. The south- west corner of Leonard street and Jennette avenue was bought, and on the lot there was a house suitable for a parsonage, and room for a church. The cornerstone was laid in July, 1892. The church now grew rapidly and in June, 1891, the first pastor, Rev. J. Lamar, was installed, but he remained only one year. After a vacancy of several months, the Rev. T. W. Muilenburg assumed charge, serving the church for four years an dthen he was called to the First Church of Grand Haven. After a year's service as pastor by Rev. James F. Zwemer, Rev. M. E. Broekstra assumed charge in October, 1900. In August, 1905, the church again became vacant by the resignation of Rev. Broekstra. He was succeeded in 1907 by Rev. Frederick Lub- bers, who remained until 1910, when he accepted a call at Sioux Cen- ter, Iowa. In 1911 Rev. John F. Haemstra was installed as pastor and remained until 1914, when he removed to Chicago, Ill., being succeeded in the same year by Rev. Albert W. DeJonge, who has served as pastor up to the present time.
The Eighth Reformed Church is located at 825 Burton avenue, about one block west of Clyde Park avenue. It was organized Nov. 16, 1891, with twenty members in full communion and eight adult baptized non-communicants. The first regular pastor was Rev. R. Duiker, who was installed Dec. 10, 1893, but resigned in 1896, on ac- count of infirmities incident to old age. In the meantime a church and parsonage had been built at an expense of about $4,000. In De- cember, 1896, Rev. Peter Ihrman assumed charge and remained until March, 1899, when he was succeeded by Rev. Harke Frieling, who labored in this field until October, 1903. The next pastor was the Rev. John Sietsema, who was installed Dec. 28, 1903, and he remained until 1911, when he accepted a call at Cano, Ill. The present pastor is the Rev. Meinhard D. Vander Meer, who was installed in 1911.
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The Ninth Reformed Church, located at the corner of Watson street and Delony avenue, was organized Feb. 23, 1892. Considerable enthusiasm was manifested from the very start, and within a year a neat church and parsonage had been built. The first pastor was Rev. Henry K. Boer, who assumed charge in September, 1892, and remained until 1895. In October, 1895, the Rev. J. W. Ta Winkel assumed charge and remained the pastor until 1899. In the spring of 1900 the Rev. H. P. Schuurmans, just graduated from the Semi- nary, assumed pastoral charge and labored faithfully and success- fully for three years, and then was succeeded, in August, 1903, by Rev. C. Heines, who remained until 1907. Rev. R. H. Joldoesma then succeeded to the pastorate, remaining until 1909, and in 1910 Rev. A. Karreman was installed and remained until 1914, when he was succeeded by the present efficient pastor, the Rev. John Van Westenburg.
Bethany Reformed Church is, in numerical order, the Tenth, be- ing organized on June 25, 1893. Rev. John Lamar, then pastor of the Seventh Church, was invited to become the first pastor, and he labored with great success until 1898. In the first year of his min- istry a site was purchased at 739 Baldwin street, and a commodious church and pretty parsonage was erected. In 1899 the second pas- tor, Rev. James Ossewaarde, assumed charge and labored success- fully for three years, when he was succeeded, in 1903, by the Rev. Nicholas Boer. The latter remained until 1907, when he removed to Chicago, Ill., and in 1908 he was succeeded by the present pastor, the Rev. James Wayer, under whose ministry the church is growing rap- idly.
Grace Reformed Church is the eleventh in order of organiza- tion. While regular services began Sept. 27, 1896, the organization of the church was not effected until Feb. 18, 1897, when thirty-seven members were constituted as Grace Reformed Church. A very com- manding site was chosen at the northeast corner of Caulfield avenue and B street, and a pretty stone structure, capable of accommodating 350 people, was erected. In the following year, Rev. J. Vander Erve was called as the first pastor, and he remained three years, from 1898 to 1901. Rev. R. H. Joldersma, who succeeded him, remained only a few months. In 1902, Rev. P. P. Cheff assumed the pastorate and served the church very acceptably until 1905, when he was succeeded by Rev. B. Braak. The latter remained until 1909, when he was suc- ceeded by the Rev. Lawrence P. Dykstra, who remained until 1912, when he accepted a call at Ebenezer, Mich. He was then succeeded by the present pastor, the Rev. Cornelius H. Spaan.
Bethel (English) Reformed Church was organized in 1907, and is located at 1700 Coit avenue. Rev. Arend J. To Paske is the present pastor.
Immanuel Reformed Church is located at the corner of Eastern avenue and Thomas street, and was organized April 23, 1907. It was first started under the name of Hope Mission and the first meetings were held in a small store on Eastern avenue, near Franklin street. The first pastor after the organization of the church was Rev. R. Bloemendal. The old Swedenborgian church edifice, which stood on the corner of Division avenue and Lyon street for many years, was
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purchased, torn down and rebuilt at the corner of Eastern avenue and Franklin street. This first church served the congregation for eight years and, in July, 1915, was sold and moved to another loca- tion, where it was converted into a four-family flat building. In its place on the old site is a beautiful new and commodious church edi- fice, seating 600, with all the latest church architecture and design. It was dedicated on April 16, 1916. The first pastor remained until June, 1911, and one month later was succeeded by Rev. S. Riepma, who served the pastorate until November, 1913. The church was without a pastor then until October, 1914, when Rev. Isaac Van Wes- tenburg was installed and he has continued in the pastorate up to the present time. Immanuel is the only English speaking church in the northeastern part of the city.
Trinity Reformed Church, located at 1222-24 Davis avenue, was organized in 1908. Rev. John Van Zomeren is the present pastor.
Beverly Reformed Church, at the southeast corner of Porter street and Meyer avenue, was organized in 1914. Its present pastor is Rev. Arie J. Vanden Heuvel.
Calvary Reformed Church is located on the south side of Fulton street, near Carlton avenue, and it was organized Aug. 30, 1915. The first meeting was held May 30, 1915, the place being at that time a mission station. The first pastor was Clarence P. Dame and he has remained in charge of the pastorate up to the present writing. At this time meetings are being held in a sectional church building, loaned by the Board of Domestic Missions and erected by the men of the church during the evening hours. A site has been secured for a new church building at the corner of Fulton street and Lowell ave- nue, and an edifice will be erected ere long.
Zion Reformed Church, at the northwest corner of Burton street and Jefferson avenue, is the youngest church of that denomination in the city. It was organized in 1917 and its present pastor is the Rev. Ralph Bloemendal.
THE SWEDENBORGIAN CHURCH.
In 1847 the Hon. Lucius Lyon, a man of rare ability and of much prominence in the early history of Michigan, awakened such an in- terest here in the writings of Emanuel Swedenborg and the doctrines of the New Church as to lead to the formation of a New Church as- sociation at a meeting held Jan. 18, 1849. A church edifice was erect- ed at the northwest corner of Division avenue and Lyon street, and it was completed and opened for service April 4, 1852. Henry Weller, an Englishman of brief residence here, an able and interesting speaker, who had been employed as minister since April 30, 1850, was the means of building up the church until his last year of service, when he was the means of nearly breaking up the society through an assertion of claims as a teacher, which alarmed and dispersed the con- gregation. A few remained and suspended Mr. Weller, and they reported his conduct to the next annual convocation of New Church societies, by which he was unanimously deposed Feb. 22, 1853. The effect was such as to suspend activity until 1858-59, during which the late James Miller, a layman in the church, conducted services, and
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in 1861-62 the Rev. George N. Smith was pastor, but the society was too weak to support a minister, and after this enjoyed only occasional services, a legal existence being maintained to hold the property. The house of worship, so little occupied by the owners, was leased for many years to different churches, and finally, in 1889, after re- fitting the building for the resumption of worship and active church life, services of the Swedenborgians were again resumed, the Rev. George H. Dole having then entered upon his pastorate of the so- ciety. But after a time interest again waned and finally, in 1907, the edifice was sold to the newly organized Immanuel Reformed Church, who tore it down and rebuilt it at the corner of Eastern avenue and Franklin street.
THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
As early as 1847, the Rev. Dr. Joseph Penney, a Presbyterian minister, was living here in retirement and had preached at the serv- ices held in the interest of Christian worship. On Oct. 26, 1855, a number of persons met to discuss the feasibility of organizing a Pres- byterian society. The idea met with favor and the organization was effected, with the Rev. Courtney Smith as pastor. Twelve persons offered letters of dismission from Park Congregational Church and Sarell Wood, John Terhune, George W. Perkins, Elihu N. Faxon, and Henry Seymour were elected elders. Soon after organizing, a small chapel was built on Front street, about opposite the present Belknap wagon shops, and this was occupied until 1868. The first records of the church tell of the election of John Terhune, George W. Perkins, E. Morris Ball, Boardman Noble, S. Wood, E. N. Faxon, and A. H. Botsford as trustees and it was decided to name the organiza- tion "the First Presbyterian Church of Grand Rapids." During the first pastorate, which terminated in April, 1861, the growth was so rapid that 176 members were reported in 1858, and even in its second year the present grounds were purchased and the building now occu- pied by them commenced. In 1857 the congregation was full of san- guine expectations, looking for an early occupancy of the edifice, whose walls were completed and the roof begun, when the financial crisis suddenly arrested this enterprise, as it did multitudes of others throughout the country. The suspension of work upon it left the structure exposed to the elements, and at last the front wall, made of plaster or gypsum stone, succumbed to these destructive forces. In 1868 the congregation repaired the building and finished and occupied the basement. The house of worship was finally completed in 1873. At the time of its completion the building was one of the finest church edifices in the city.
Westminster Presbyterian Church is an outgrowth of the First Church. In the early sixties a number of members of the latter or- ganization determined to organize a church on the east side. On July 17, 1861, east side Presbyterians met in the old Swedenborgian Church and unanimously resolved that it was expedient and desirable to organize a Presbyterian Church on the east side of the river, to be called the Westminster Presbyterian. Church. A committee was ap- pointed to take the necessary steps for an organization and seventeen members of the First Church became a part of the new organization.
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In 1866 the society erected its own church, at the southwest corner of Division avenue and Lyon street, and the present edifice, at the cor- ner of Island street and Lagrave avenue, was completed in 1885. Rev. Sanford H. Cobb, D. D., served the church as pastor for some nine years, from 1885 to 1904. Its present minister is the Rev. E. L. Jarvis.
For the following sketch of Third Presbyterian Church, at 140 National avenue, we are indebted to an article on Presbyterian Church history, written for a publication issued in 1906:
"In the summer of 1875, the Rev. William A. Fleming, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, began a mission in the woods, or oak grove, where this church is now located. In the fall of that year Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Boyer, Mr. and Mrs. H. Benjamin, and Mr. and Mrs. J. King met at the residence of M. J. Ulrich to devise measures to se- cure a suitable place in which to hold their Sunday School during the winter. The committee then appointed recommended the erection of a temporary building. W. O. Hughart, hearing of this action, of- fered to give the lumber for a church building, provided a lot was se- cured and held in trust by the First Presbyterian Church. This prop- osition was accepted, and the trustees selected the present lot, which cost $600. Quite an undenominational or union interest was mani- fested by the people of that neighborhood in the success of the enter- prise, and the ladies' soliciting committee and socials were so liber- ally encouraged that the purchase price of the lot was soon raised, also a fund of $800 for the building of a chapel, which was dedicated early in the spring of 1876. In March the Sunday School was organ- ized with Mr. Ulrich as superintendent, the average attendance for the first year being seventy-five. In addition to this work, Sunday afternoon worship was conducted there, Mr. Fleming preaching once in two weeks, and supplies from the city and about rendered gratui- tous service on the alternate Sundays. In this manner church privi- leges were provided for a goodly congregation; but it became neces- sary for the trustees holding the property to fulfill the contract for the lot, when the mission was organized, Feb. 18, 1883, as it now ex- ists. The Rev. M. Bocher became its pastor on that day, and the first officers were elected, to-wit: Elders-Charles Van Aernam and Or- san Hauser. Trustees-R. B. Wallin, George McInnis, William E. Knox, Henry Mosher, Isaac Quigley, and G. A. Brosseau. There were forty-four charter members. Mr. Bocher closed his pastorate May 1, 1885, and the Rev. William H. Hoffman succeeded him, June 3 of that year. * * *
"The pastorate became vacant by the resignation of Mr. Hoffman, March 3, 1889, but on the first of May the Rev. Thomas G. Smith succeeded him as stated supply, in which capacity he served for a year, at which time, because of the prosperous condition the church had attained under his direction, he was called to the pastorate and installed in said office in May, 1890. In 1891 the numerical strength of the church made a more commodious building a necessity and the church edifice was enlarged to almost double its original seating ca- pacity at an expense of about $1,800. It was also during his pas- torate that the church became self-supporting, declining to receive any further aid from the Board of Home Missions. In 1894 the question of changing the name of the church organization became an
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