Alpine Christian Reformed Church
Pastors and Chronology of Events, 1881 - 1981
| ALPINE CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH |
| ITEMS OF INTEREST |
| First church built 1881 |
| First elected minister, Cand. H. Bode, who declined. |
| Parsonage and Holland School built 1882 |
| Rev. W. H. Frieling accepted call Nov. 1882; left May 1886; died Dec. 1905 |
| Church enlarged 1886. 40 by 50 feeet at cost of $3,000.00. |
| Rev. P. Ekster accepted call Aug. 1886. Salary $700.00 |
| Decided to build another church on Crosby St., May 1888. |
| New congregation started from the mother church with 44 families |
| First organ was installed June 1891; cost $2,000.00 |
| New Holand Congregational School built, cost $2,000.00. |
| English speaking congregation started on Broadway Ave. |
| Congregation grows to 300 families. Church getting too small. |
| So-called doopleden stelsel done away with Sept. 1900. |
| Elder Datema assistant to minister, salary $300.00. |
| Society for Christian instruction started, 8 room school built, upper rooms for church use. |
| Congregation incorporated again 1902 |
| Decided to build new brick church. Cost with organ and seats about $20,000.00 |
| Dedicated to the service of God Mar. 17, 1904 |
| Rev. P. Ekster accepts call to Midland Park. Farewell sermon Oct. 29, 1905 |
| Rev. S. Volbeda accepts call. Entrée Dec. 3, 1905 |
| 25 year jubileum held May 1906. Bell in tower installed as jubileum gift. |
| Mortgage on church building paid off Dec. 5, 1910 |
| Rev. S. Volbeda gets leave of absence Jan. 1911 |
| Decide to build new brick parsonage Apr. 1911 |
| Dr. J. Van Lonkhuizen accepts call Aug. 1911. Entrée Oct. 1911 |
| Church building burned down Feb. 12, 1914. Rebuilt at a cost of $35,000.00. |
| First English service held Feb. 1915. |
| Dr. J. Van Lonkhuizen accepts call to Chicago Sept. 1918. |
| Rev. P. A. Hoekstra accepts call. Entrée Jan. 1919. |
| School building and lots sold and $4,000.00 given to the W.S. chr. School Society. |
| Vacancy of a year and four months |
| Dr. Wm. Masselink accepts call. Entrée May 6, 1928 |
| 50 year jubileum May 26, 1931 |
| Dr. Wm. Masselink gets leave of absence in 1935. |
| Extensive repairs and remodeling of church 1941 |
| 60 year jubileum May 26, 1941. |
| THE CORNERSTONE |
| The cornerstone which was laid on Jujne 18, 1903, was opened on April 14, 1981. |
| …Some of the contents were damp and soiled. |
| Several pictures and some papers were not legible. Included were |
| (1) the following material on a letterhead of |
| Vanderwerp & Folkertsma Clothing |
| Gent's Furnishings, Goods, Hats, Caps, etc. |
| 64 Leonard Street |
| Citizens Phone 3446 |
| Alpine Ave. Christ. Ref. Church |
| Organized April 25, 1881 |
| Church built in 1881. Parsonage built in 1880-1883 |
| Church enlarged 1886 |
| Church school built 1889 |
| 1ST Pastor Rev. W.H. Frieling from Nov 26.82 to May 23/86 |
| 1st Consistorie: Elders: Harm Datema, William Baker, Berend Schrikkema. Deacons: |
| …Deacons: Arie VanBree, Alle Hooghuis |
| Present Pastor Rev. Peter Ekster took up pastorate Sept 5/86 |
| Cornerstone of our church laid June 18/1903 |
| Then the members of the 1903 consistory and the Building Committee were listed: H.J.Grit, |
| .. J. VanderZee, A. Dykstra, Rev. P. Ekster, H. Hofstra and D. VanderWerp |
| (2) Copy of the June 1903 "Banner of Truth" |
| (3) Copy of "Der Reforierte Bote" of March 15, 1903 of Pella, Iowa, written in German. |
| (4) Life history of Rev. W.H. Frieling by Rev. Henry Beets, Oct-Dec, 1902 |
| (5) Copy of the Evening Press, Grand Rapids, June 25, 1903 |
| (6) Copy of Feb. 4, 1903 "De Wachter." |
| PASTORS OF ALPINE |
| W.H. Frieling, 1882 - 1886 |
| P. Ekster, 1886 - 1905 |
| S. Volbeda, 1905 - 1911 |
| J. Van Ldonkhuyzen, 1911 - 1919 |
| P.A. Hoekstra, 1919 - 1927 |
| W. Masselink, 1928 - 1942 |
| P.Y. De Jong, 1942 - 1948 |
| J.T. Holwerda, 1948 - 1954 |
| A.W. Hoogstrate, 1954 - 1961 |
| G.P. Holwerda, 1961 - 1966 |
| J.H. Bergsma, 1966 - |
Transcriber: Karen Blumenshine
Created: 28 May 2004