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First Reformed Church The First Reformed Church was organized in 1847 in Goes, Netherlands before the people ventured across the Atlantic Ocean. Rev. Cornelius VanderMeulen was secured as the pastor and elders were Johannes Hoogesteger and Jannes VandeLuyster with deacons being Jan Steketee and Adriaan Glerum. There were 457 souls who emigrated in 1847 divided into three groups. Whichever group arrived first would choose the location where they would reside. Jannes VandeLuyster arrived first 27 June 1847 at Holland, Michigan. The other groups were led by Rev. C. VanderMeulen and Jan Steketee and they arrived on the 16th of July. |
Second Log Church - 1849
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The first services were held at the Steketee log home in August and by May, 1848 the first log church was erected. By the end of the year so many people had arrived that it was necessary to build a larger church (45 ft. x 60 ft.). There were 175 families in 1849. In 1866 a new church was built on the same site. A reed organ was purchased and placed in the balcony. In 1917 the church needed repairs and a full basement was also added. In 1929 a brick veneer was placed on the building surface and twelve stained glass windows were designed and installed The first parsonage was built and owned by Rev. C. VanderMeulen. In 1860 a church-owned one was built. Early ministers were: Rev. Cornelius VanderMeulen (1847-1859); Herman Stobbelaar (1860-1864); Seine Bolks (1865-1872); William Moerdyke (1872-1877); Nicholas M. Steffens (1878-1882); John Kremer (1883-1892); Jacob P. DeJong (1893-1910); Paul P. Cheff (1910-1917); Henry Harmeling (1918-1921). |
Transcriber: ES
Created: 6 April 2006