USA > Michigan > Kent County > Grand Rapids > Grand Rapids and Kent County, Michigan: History and Account of Their Progress from First. Vol. I > Part 51
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390 HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY, MICHIGAN
issue with the result that its present name was dropped and that of 'Third Presbyterian Church of Grand Rapids, Mich.,' adopted. In December, 1895, the pastor asked the Presbytery to dissolve the pas- toral relations, and, the church concurring, the request was granted, the pastor going to another field, in Sullivan, Ind. * * * The church, after a vacancy in the pastorate for five months, extended a call to Rev. Reuben S. Smith, of New Berlin, Ill., who was installed as pas- tor, in May, 1896. * * * In October of 1904 the pastor notified the Session that, owing to failing health, he was compelled to lay down the work to go to Colorado to recuperate, and the Presbytery at their fall meeting of said year at the pastor's request dissolved the rela- tions, the church very reluctantly concurring. This was followed by a vacancy in the pulpit of eight months, during which time it was supplied by various ministers, until May, 1905, when the church ex- tended a call to James F. Smith, graduate of McCormick Theological Seminary, Chicago, Ill., which call was accepted by Mr. Smith, he beginning his work on the 1st of June, 1905."
Continuing the history of this church, Rev. Smith's pastorate was of comparatively short duration, and his successors in order were the Revs. Frederic A. Hamilton and Carl Longbrake, each of whom remained about one year; Samuel H. Edgcumbe, who served from 1909 to 1912, and Clarence H. Heskett, who served the greater part of the time from 1912 to 1917. The present pastor is Rev. Iman Wisse.
Immanuel Church can trace its origin to the establishment of a Union Sunday School, opened on April 4, 1886, in a school house just south of the old fair grounds. In connection with the school, usual church services were conducted by invited ministers of the city. In April, 1888, those who habitually worshiped here addressed a for- mal invitation to the Westminster Church to incorporate this enter- prise as its mission, and take charge of it. This plan met with favor, and very soon afterward said church erected a substantial and com- modious chapel upon a choice site of 150 feet square, presented for the purpose by a gentleman of Brooklyn, N. Y. On Sept. 11, 1889, the mission having grown to sufficient size, the church organization was effected. The Rev. George Reynolds, who had been in charge of the mission since July 1, was then elected pastor, and the above church name adopted. Rev. Harvey E. Kilmer is now serving the church as pastor.
North Park has a church organization which holds meetings in the school house. It has no pastor.
THE LUTHERAN CHURCH.
The Lutheran Church did not gain as early a foothold in Grand Rapids as some of the other denominations, but its growth has been rapid, as has been the case with other churches. The first Lutheran Church was organized under the auspices of the Missouri synod in 1856. The Grand Rapids society, which was called "St. Immanuel's Church," was incorporated June 15, 1856. The building of a small church edifice was begun in September, 1857, and finished early in 1858. Two years after its organization dissension arose in the ranks of the members over questions of church doctrine and government
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and a portion of the congregation withdrew and organized the Ger- man Methodist Church on the West Side, now on Scribner street. Again, in 1880, factional differences split the congregation and part of the members withdrew and organized the German Church of St. John, on Mt. Vernon avenue. In 1889 and 1890 the edifice now occupied by Immanuel's congregation, at the corner of Michigan street and Divi- sion avenue, was erected. Rev. Bruno Poch, who was called to the pastorate in 1909, is still serving the congregation. Immanuel's Church is today the only Lutheran congregation in Grand Rapids un- der the jurisdiction of the Missouri synod.
The Swedish Evangelical Bethlehem Church was organized as the result of the efforts of Carl Nordberg, a sea captain who came here from New York or Boston in 1871. He forthwith zealously in- terested himself in the religious welfare of his Swedish countrymen here. He boarded in a Swedish family by the name of Hempel, and in their dwelling gathered his countrymen for religious services. Soon afterward, different ministers of the Evangelical Lutheran Augustin- ian Synod of America, residing at Chicago and elsewhere, were in- duced to visit Grand Rapids for missionary work two or three times a year. During one of these visits by the Rev. P. Erikson, of Chica- go, and under his direction, on April 25, 1873, sixteen members or- ganized and were incorporated under the name of Swedish Evan- gelical Lutheran Church. Until 1874 the meetings were held at pri- vate residences, and for a time in the German Lutheran Church, at the corner of Michigan street and Division avenue, but in this year an edifice of their own was dedicated. Before many years had elapsed it became apparent that a more commodious structure was necessary, and on Aug. 25, 1889, the cornerstone of the present church was laid with impressive ceremonies. The new church was ready for occu- pancy Dec. 22 of the same year. Since 1916 its pastor has been the Rev. Oscar A. Henry.
As before stated, St. John's German Evangelical Lutheran Church was organized as the result of disaffection in the membership ranks of St. Immanuel's. A house of worship was completed and dedicated in June, 1881, the location being at 348 Mt. Vernon avenue. Rev. F. Robert Schreiber is the present efficient pastor of the society.
Of the two English speaking Lutheran churches in the city, Trin- ity Church is the oldest. Under the direction of Rev. C. J. Keifer work was begun in June, 1896. So successful was his work that on Dec. 9 of the same year the Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church was organized, and in 1898 its house of worship was erected, at the south- east corner of Crescent street and Bostwick avenue. The other Eng- lish Lutheran Church is Hope Evangelical, organized in 1914, at 903 Scribner avenue, of which Rev. Emil L. Schwankowsky is pastor.
THE CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH.
In the sketch given on another page of the Second Reformed Church, mention is made of the secession of its pastor, Rev. H. G. Klyn, who, together with a large number of followers, left the Re- formed Church on Sunday, Jan. 27, 1857. Very soon afterward this flock was organized as the "Holland Reformed Church," was later known as the Spring Street Holland Christian Reformed Church,
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then as the Commerce Street Christian Reformed Church, and now its official name is the First Christian Reformed Church. The first pastor, the Rev. H. G. Klyn, ministered to them for the short space of eight months, when the Godfearing but unstable man was pre- vailed upon to return to the Reformed denomination. But his fol- lowers remained and soon afterward built a frame church on the northwest corner of Ionia and Island streets. In 1863, Rev. W. H. Van Leeuwen, pursuant to the call of the Grand Rapids church, came from the Netherlands to shepherd the seceders. He served till 1867. In the last named year the congregation, which meanwhile had in- creased considerably through immigration, built a new brick church on Spring street, now Commerce avenue, between Island and Oakes streets. Rev. Van Leeuwen was succeeded by Rev. R. Duiker, who served from 1867 till 1872. He was followed by Rev. G. E. Boer, who came in 1873 and resigned in 1876, to occupy the chair of pro- fessor in the theological school of the denomination. Rev. J. Kremer was pastor from 1877 to 1879, when he followed the example of his predecessors, Klyn and Duiker, in joining the Reformed Church. But two years afterward, in 1881, a new pastor was secured in the Rev. J. H. Vos, who remained with the congregation longer than all before him combined, until 1900, when he became pastor emeritus. The same year he left, the Rev. T. Vander Ark took his place and filled it until March 26, 1905. The Rev. G. J. Haan was pastor in 1906 and 1907, and in 1908 the Rev. Peter Ekster was called and has remained in the pastorate ever since. In 1911 the property on Commerce avenue was sold and a new church edifice was erected at 650 Bates street, the dedication ceremonies taking place on March 21, 1912.
The Christian Reformed Church of Coldbrook is the second old- est of the Christian Reformed congregations of Grand Rapids. It is located on the northwest corner of Legrand street and Taylor avenue. It was organized Sept. 25, 1875, as the Fourth Reformed Church. Its first house of worship being completed, the new congregation, num- bering thirty families, called the Rev. L. I. Hulst, of Danforth, Ill., who was installed Jan. 23, 1876. Disagreeing with the General Synod upon the question of tolerating Freemasons in the denomination, on Sept. 8, 1881, the congregation by a very large majority vote separat- ed from the Reformed Church. The next year it joined the denomi- nation to which the First Church belonged, then known as "Holland Christian Reformed Church." The Coldbrook people succeeded in retaining their church property and Rev. L. I. Hulst continued to shepherd them faithfully until April, 1906, when he was succeeded by the Rev. J. J. Hemenge, who served from December, 1907, until August, 1913. The Rev. Y. P. DeJong was called in January, 1914, and served until November, 1917, since which time the congregation has been temporarily without a pastor. In 1909 and 1910 a new church edifice was built at the corner of Legrand street and Taylor avenue, the dedicatory services being held in May, 1910.
The Eastern avenue congregation is the oldest daughter of the First Church. Early in 1877 the First Church consistory erected a building, 40x50 feet, on the present site, the northeast corner of Be- mis street and Eastern avenue. On Sept. 15, 1879, eighty families united in forming a new congregation, known then as the East Street
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Church. In the fall of 1881 the Rev. J. Post, a graduate of the Grand Rapids Theological School, was ordained as the first pastor of the young congregation. He served very successfully until 1887, when, on June 27, he was succeeded by Rev. S. B. Sevensma. Under the latter's ministry the present church edifice was built. Different re- vival waves swept over the church in Rev. Sevensma's pastorate, which was terminated by his death May 6, 1900. On Sept. 4, 1900, the present pastor, Rev. Johannes Groen, was installed.
The Alpine avenue congregation was organized May 25, 1881, as a second offshoot of the First Church, which had already erected a house of worship, 36x62 feet, for its use. The first pastor was Rev. W. H. Frieling, installed Nov. 26, 1882. He labored diligently till the spring of 1886, when failing health compelled him to leave his flock, which meanwhile had increased from thirty to about two hun- dred families. On Sept. 5, 1886, the Rev. P. Ekster was installed. A new edifice was built on the old site, southeast corner of Alpine ave- nue and Eleventh street, and it was dedicated March 17-20, 1904. Rev. Ekster preached his farewell sermon Oct. 29, 1905. He was suc- ceeded in December by Rev. S. Volbeda, who remained until 1911, and then was succeeded by the present pastor, Rev. John Van Lonk- huvzen.
The LaGrave avenue congregation is the oldest Christian Re- formed Church in the West which uses the American language ex- clusively in all its religious services. On Feb. 24, 1887, the organiza- tion took place in Luce's Hall on Monroe avenue. Soon afterward this place was rented for Sunday services for one year and Rev. J. Y. DeBaun was called as pastor. He was installed May 15, 1887. Ground was secured on LaGrave street, between Oakes and Cherry streets, and on it a substantial church building of solid brick was erected. The edifice was dedicated June 17, 1888. In 1892 the church regret- ted to see its first and beloved pastor return to the East, he preaching his farewell sermon March 27. However, his place was soon taken by Rev. S. I. VanderBeek, of Paterson, N. J., who was installed May 8, 1892. He labored successfully at first, but after two or three years the financial panic of the time and other unfortunate circumstances impeded him in his work and he resigned, in October, 1898. On June 4, 1899, Rev. Dr. Henry Beets, since 1895 stationed in Sioux Center, Ia., his first charge, was duly installed, and remained until March 21, 1915, being succeeded, on July 3, 1915, by Rev. William Stuart, the present pastor.
The southeast corner of Franklin street and Oakland avenue is the location of the Franklin street congregation. In the summer of 1886 the First Church consistory built a house of worship and held regular Sunday services and catechetical meetings there. The enter- prise being successful, it was deemed wise to organize the people of the vicinity into a separate church. This was done March 8, 1887. A parsonage on the adjoining corner was built and soon occupied by the Rev. W. R. Smidt, of Rotterdam, Kan., who was installed Dec. 23, 1888. He ministered to this church until November, 1902, when he departed for the West. The congregation secured a new pastor in Rev. W. D. Vanderwerp, who was installed May 8, 1903. He re- mained but a short time, however, and was succeeded in 1907 by Rev.
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Lambertus Veltkamp, who has continued in the pastorate ever since.
The West Leonard congregation is a daughter of the Alpine Avenue Church. Its fine brick church building is located at 1057 Leonard street. On May 26, 1889, the people which met in a former house of worship on Crosby street were organized into a separate and independent church. The Rev. G. Broene, its first pastor, was installed Oct. 15, 1889, and labored faithfully until May 5, 1904, when a stroke of paralysis incapacitated him. This led to his resignation in August, 1904. His successor was Rev. F. Doezema, who served until 1915, when he was succeeded by the present pastor, Rev. Rienk B. Kuiper. The present church edifice was erected in 1909.
The Oakdale Park Church is so called because located in that suburb, on the corner of Millard street and Butler avenue. It was organized May 22, 1890, as an offshoot of the Eastern Avenue Church. Rev. G. D. DeHaan, a graduate of the theological school, was or- dained and installed as the first pastor in September, 1891. He served very successfully till cancer ended his useful life, Aug. 20, 1895. Rev. F. M. Ten Hoor succeeded him, serving from 1896 till 1900, when he assumed the duties of a professorship in the local seminary. The third pastor was Rev. H. M. Vander Ploeg, who served from April, 1901, to Dec. 6, 1903. The building, erected in 1890, was blown down by a destructive storm March 24, 1904, but the congregation, far from being disheartened, at once began to erect a larger and better build- ing on the site of the destroyed one. Meanwhile, Rev. L. Berkhof was installed as pastor, Aug. 14, 1904, in the theological school build- ing, which served as a meeting place during the building period. On Feb. 8, 1905, the new edifice was dedicated. Rev. William P. Van Wyk is the present pastor.
The Grandville avenue congregation was organized in September, 1891, largely of people belonging to the Franklin Street Christian Reformed Church. Thirty-eight families joined at the start and soon began negotiations for the purchase of the Universalist Church build- ing on Pearl street, between Ottawa and Ionia avenues. That house of worship was purchased in November, 1891, and of its material a church edifice was built at 1537 Grandville avenue. Rev. W. Greve was the first pastor, laboring from 1893 till 1896, when failing health compelled him to resign. He was succeeded by the Rev. E. R. Haan, installed in October, 1896. Death terminated Mr. Haan's useful work Sept. 1, 1898. The Rev. J. W. Brink labored here from 1900 till 1904, and he was succeeded by the Rev. J. Timmermann, who was installed June 16, 1905. He served until 1909, when he was succeeded by Rev. Evart Breen, and the latter was succeeded in 1915 by the Rev. Roelf L. Haan. The present pastor, installed in 1917, is the Rev. Ymen P. DeJong.
The Dennis avenue congregation is the second daughter of the Eastern Avenue Church. Organized Feb. 6, 1893, it chose as its first elders, T. Doezema and J. Katsma, and as deacons, R. Bolt and S. Tolk. At first services were held in a store building on Fulton street, near Diamond avenue, but steps were taken soon to erect a house of worship on lots purchased on the east side of Dennis avenue, near Hermitage street. The matter was pushed and on July 30, 1893, a spacious church, 95x45 feet, was dedicated. A parsonage was built
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soon afterward for its first pastor, Rev. E. Vander Vries, who served from 1895 to 1902. He was succeeded April 9, 1903, by the Rev. J. B. Hoekstra, who served until Oct. 10, 1909. Rev. J. A. Kett was in- stalled as the latter's successor, Aug. 15, 1910, and served until Feb. 22, 1914, and he was succeeded Aug. 5, 1914, by the present pastor, the Rev. Henry Danhof, who labors with encouraging results.
The Broadway Christian Reformed Church is the second one in Grand Rapids of that denomination to employ the American language in all of its congregational services. It was organized June 26, 1893, . mostly of people belonging to the Alpine Avenue Church. At first the meetings were held in the Baptist Church on Scribner street, but in 1894 a house of worship was erected at 1142 Broadway avenue. A pastor was secured in Rev. G. D. DeMott, who labored from May, 1895, till May, 1899, when he resigned, his work not being as success- ful as wished for. The struggling flock of about forty-five families remained shepherdless until the fall of 1900, when Rev. M. J. Bosma, just graduated from the theological school, was installed. His work was blessed to such an extent that a larger building was needed. The old one was demolished and on its site a new one erected, dedicated Dec. 8, 1904. Rev. Bosma served until 1908, and then the congrega- tion was without a pastor until 1909, when John W. Brink was in- stalled. He was succeeded in 1912 by Rev. Edward J. Tanis, the pres- ent pastor.
The Burton Heights Christian Reformed Church was organized June 8, 1905, nearly exclusively of members of the Lagrave Avenue Church, and, like it ,is American speaking. Its first Sabbath serv- ices were held in the Feakin Memorial M. E. Church, at the corner of Griggs avenue and Buchanan street, in which the organization also took place. Lots had been purchased beforehand, at 2106 Horton ave- nue, and on them a temporary house of worship, 28x40 feet, was built within three weeks' time. It was dedicated in July, 1905, and served the congregation until the present commodious structure was erected. Rev. Dr. Henry Beets is the present pastor.
The other Christian Reformed Churches in Grand Rapids are Bethel (English), at the foot of Shamrock street, Rev. Gerrit Hoek- sema, pastor ; Creston, 238 Spencer street, Rev. Karst Bergsma, pas- tor; Noland Avenue (English), southeast corner of Watkins street and Noland avenue, Rev. H. Henry Meeter, pastor; Sherman Street, 958 Sherman street, no pastor ; and Twelfth Street, corner of Twelfth street and Tamarack avenue, no pastor.
THE UNIVERSALIST CHURCH.
For the past sixty years there has been continuously in Grand Rapids a society practicing the doctrines of Universalism, and the efforts have not been unsuccessful. In 1858 the people interested in that faith came together and held meetings in Luce's Hall, at the cor- ner of Monroe and Ottawa streets, where the Herpolsheimer build- ing now stands. At first the services were conducted by Rev. H. L. Hayward, and in 1862 Rev. A. W. Mason became regularly installed as pastor. During the two years of his pastorate the church grew in numbers and prominence. From 1864 to 1868 no stated services were held, and then an edifice was erected on Pearl street, between
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Ionia and Ottawa avenues, and a pastor was secured in the person of Rev. L. J. Fletcher, who remained until June, 1870. A formal church organization was effected with 125 members. The Rev. W. C. Brooks succeeded Mr. Fletcher in June, 1870, and was in turn succeeded by the Rev. Richmond Fisk, D. D., in 1872. The latter became exceed- ingly popular as an orator, but he fled the city in November, 1874, after confessing unlawful amours. Rev. Charles Fluhrer, D. D., was installed in the pastorate in October, 1875, and soon became highly esteemed by his people. In 1894, Dr. Fluhrer was succeeded by Rev. Thomas Illman, but not until the former had inspired the society to build a handsome new edifice of red sandstone, at the corner of Shel- don avenue and Oakes street. Mr. Illman was succeeded in 1900 by Rev. Leslie W. Sprague, a Unitarian minister, who officiated for three years and was known throughout the city as an unusually brilliant speaker. The church was without a pastor for over a year and the pulpit was ably supplied by Rev. Caroline Bartlett Crane, of Kala- mazoo. Rev. George Eliot Cooley was then chosen and began preach- ing Sept. 1, 1902. He served until 1907, when he was succeeded by Rev. Howard B. Bard, who served until 1913. The congregation then was without a pastor for a time, the pulpit being supplied by the assistant pastor, Mrs. Myrtle K. Cherryman, and in 1914 Rev. Daniel R. Freeman was installed and has been the pastor up to the present time.
NEDERDUITSCH REFORMED CHURCH.
The eldest organization of this name is located at 320 Division avenue. It was organized Nov. 30, 1870, by the Rev. C. Kloppenburg, just from the Netherlands. The first pastor died Sept. 6, 1876. He had indicated C. Vorst as his successor, and that gentleman served from Jan. 11, 1877, until April, 1891, when he returned to the Chris- tian Reformed Church, of which he formerly was an earnest advo- cate. His successor was the Rev. Vander Spek, called from the Neth- erlands in 1893. After his death, nine months afterward, the Rev. Wolbers, also from Holland, served from 1896 until 1905. Then for a time the pulpit was unoccupied, until 1906, when Rev. Cornelius Pieneman came from Rotterdam, the Netherlands. He remained un- til 1910, when the congregation was again without a pastor for a time. In 1912 Rev. Hendrick A. Minderman was installed and has continued to serve until the present time.
The other church of this denomination, located at 1044 Turner avenue, dates from the year 1876. For eleven years it met in a hall on West Bridge street. From 1883 until October, 1887, Elder M. Donker statedly read the sermons and conducted two Sabbath serv- ices. In October, 1887, the Rev. T. Meysters became its first pastor. His preaching added many to their numbers, and in the fall of that year the congregation bought the school grounds and frame school building at 1046 Turner avenue. The building was remodeled for re- ligious purposes, a consistory room was added at the east side, and the building was used for church purposes until 1908, when it was razed and on the same site a brick edifice was erected. The congrega- tion was organized Dec. 10, 1887. Rev. Meysters died in 1891 and was succeeded by Rev. K. Werner, installed July 30, 1893. He died
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in October, 1894, and was succeeded by Rev. T. Hager, who served from June, 1896, until September, 1913. The present pastor, Rev. Jacob C. Wielhoumer, was installed Dec. 12, 1915.
JUDAISM IN GRAND RAPIDS.
There is no record to show that the religion of the Jews took obvious root here prior to 1871. The turbulent times in Germany which sent so many Germans to America, in 1848, also had their influence later in bringing to Grand Rapids a considerable number of Jews, so that on Oct. 2, 1871, a meeting was held at the residence of Benjamin Geis, at No. 1 Bronson street (now Crescent street). A religious society was there organized, and it held its public meet- ings in Peirce's Concert Hall on old Canal street. On Sept. 1, 1875, they removed to Godfrey's Block, second floor, on Ionia street, one door south of Monroe. In 1882 a building for public worship was erected at the corner of Fountain and Ransom streets. In time the growth of the congregation and the differences of opinion regarding forms of worship made it essential that a separation occur, and con- sequently some fifteen men and their families seceded from Temple Emanuel and dedicated, at 428 Scribner avenue, an edifice for the Ahvath Ahem congregation. The Congregation Beth Israel, at 438 Ottawa avenue, was organized in 1894.
CHURCH OF CHRIST-DISCIPLES.
The first church in Grand Rapids of this denomination was or- ganized in July, 1874, with nineteen members. For several months the infant congregation met for worship at the homes of members, but early in 1875 the Swedenborgian Church building, at the corner of Lyon street and Division avenue, was rented, and the Rev. S. E. Pearre, D. D., was secured as the first pastor. With the exception of one year, during which they occupied the old brick house of wor- ship vacated by the Westminster Presbyterian Church, and which stood on the northeast corner of the present postoffice site, the con- gregation had the use of the Swedenborgian house until September, 1887, when they entered their own. Dr. Pearre had the pleasure of witnessing some growth of his charge during his pastorate of a little over a year. His successor, the Rev. J. S. Hughes, served but six months, when a vacancy of nearly a year ensued. Early in 1878 the Rev. E. D. Butler, of Detroit, began his year of successful labor, at the close of which the church was again dependent upon visiting pas- tors or the lay services of its members, chiefly those of Dr. Whitfield. However, in May, 1880, they rejoiced in the advent of a pastor, the Rev. J. H. Hammond, whose four years among them accomplished much for the development of the church. The membership numbered 160 when he resigned, in 1884. In December following the Rev. W. F. Richardson came as their pastor and remained until Feb. 1, 1890. In the same year Rev. W. J. Russell became pastor and preserved a wholesome and healthy condition of the church. Succeeding him, the Rev. Errett Gates became the pastor and under his pastorate the membership grew stronger in understanding from his educational thoughts and work. He resigned, however, after three years of labor
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