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