History of the Alpine Christian Reformed Church
1881 - 1931
Grand Rapids, Michigan

 

ALPINE CRC CHURCH
FROM THE FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY BOOK
As we look back upon the past today, we involuntarily think of many dear ones, who formerly gathered with us but are no more in our midst.
We miss them on this festive occasion and a feeling of sadness comes over us. But at the same time our hearts are filled with joy.
We are thinking of former days and years, and are mindful of what the Lord has done for us in the past half a century. He saw to it that
the passing of those who have gone before did not mean the passing of our local church. He was always mindful of his covenant and continued
his church in the generations of a consecrated seed. That the church of Alpine Avenue may celebrate her fiftieth anniversary, and that at the
end of the period she is still strong and virile, - she owed it all to her covenant God. He has always provided the church with faithful ministers,
has created in her midst by his Holy Spirit, has provided for her and has created in her midst by his Holy Spirit, has provided for her and
protected her. He has led her all the way in the past fifty years.
In 1881, there was not Christian Reformed Church on the west side. Whatever Christian Reformed people lived in these parts then attended
the first church on Spring Street, The Second Reformed church, or the Free Christian Reformed Church on Division Street. It was a beautiful
sight to see our people walking through town with their Psalters and Bibles, as they wended their way to their places of worship. Through they
had to walk quite a distance, they were sure to attend church two or three times a Sunday.
In the year 1881 a number of men went to the consistory of Spring Street’s Church with a petition signed by themselves and several others,
requesting the establishment of a church on their papers, to join the new congregation, if it should be founded. The consistory of Spring Street
favored this matter and appointed a committee, consisting of the brethren H. Datema and A. Van Bree, to look around for a suitable location.
These brethren left the consistory meeting at an early hour, walked up and down Alpine Ave., stopped at the corner of Twelfth Street, and later at
that of Eleventh Street to discuss the desirability of the location. It was a beautiful moonlight evening, so that everything was clearly visible.
They came to the conclusion that the corner of Alpine Ave. and Eleventh Street offered the best prospects, because it was right in the center of
our west side people. They inquired as to the owners of the property, and were informed that it belonged to two ladies. The owners proved to be
very generous and were willing to donate the lots, if a church were built on them. Because this was the purpose, the brethren could give them the
assurance that a church would be erected there. And thanked the ladies most heartily for their gift. They reported to the consistory, and the
consistory accepted the report with thanks and approved of the action of the committee. A suitable frame building was erected, facing Alpine
Avenue, at a comparatively low figure since wood was inexpensive in those days and wages were not high. The church with its steeple pointing
heavenward was quite an ornament for the corner of which it was built. After the church was finished, the congregation, which had meanwhile been
and organized for a time met in temporary quarters on West Leonard Street, moved into its new home. Efforts were now made to secure a pastor.
The church was disappointed once and again but finally received word from Rev. W. H. Frieling of Cincinnati that he accepted its call. Since there
was no parsonage yet, a house was rented near Tenth Street. Shortly after that, however, the church through the mediation of a Mr. Van Bree,
received two lots of Mr. Stocking just opposite the church. Wonderful provision was thus made for the young church.
The first minister, Rev. W. H. Freiling, was installed in the fall of 1882 by the Rev. Vos of Spring Street, and preached his inaugural sermon from I
Corinthians 15, verse 25. Due to constant immigration from the Netherlands, the church enjoyed a healthy and rather speedy growth. At first it
was often called "The Frisian church" because so many of its members hailed from Friesland on the Netherlands. In course of time, however, it
lost this name, since people from other provinces, such as Groningen, Zeeland, and Drenthe, joined in goodly numbers. The people were not yet
used to the American climate and often complained about its extremes. In the summertime's they would find the heat very oppressive and on
coming to church would slake their thirst from two pails of water, using common dippers, without worrying about the germs which they might thus
imbibe; and having quenched their natural thirst, they would enter the sanctuary to drink with deep draughts of the water of life. During the winter
season they would frequently complain about the bitter cold. One occasion several of them came to church with their ears and noses frozen,
and when they approached the stoves in the church soon found the paid unendurable, so that they rushed outside to wash their faces with snow.
But all this did not keep them from coming to church and from listening with warm hearts to the preaching of the Word. Rev. Frieling was a serious-
minded man, a faithful pastor, and very much interested in the things of the kingdom of God. On one occasion he visited Rev. Hdemkes, who was
then pastor of Viesland's church. In the afternoon he wanted to return home, and Rev. Hemkes accompanied him to the depot. They engaged in a
discussion and were so absorbed in it that they never noticed the coming and leaving of the train. In 1886 he accepted a call to Lamont, after having
served the Alpine Avenue Church for about four years, preaching his farewell sermon from I Corinthians 1, verse 10.
Rev. P Ekster, who was at that time pastor of the Christian Reformed Church at Spring Lake, was now called, and saw his very clear to accept, so
The new minister was installed by Rev. Huist of Coldbrook, and chose Colossians 4, verse 3, for his inaugural sermon. Since the church grew
rapidly, the need of larger quarters was soon keenly felt. In 1883 it had already been decided to enlarge the church by building a section onto the
north side of the original church, but since the necessary funds were not available this was postponed. In 1886, however, due to the phenomenal
growth of the church it was possible to carry out the plan. The church was then changed into what is called in the Holland language a "kuriskerk".
Since Rev. Ekster's throat did not always permit him to preach three times from Sunday to Sunday, it often happened that one of the elders would
read a sermon in the evening. In those days the people often spoke of the Alpine Avenue Church as Rev. Ekster's Church. This was undoubtedly
due to the fact that he served the church so long (a period of nineteen years). He practically became identified with it. There was at that time a very
large catechism class of about a hundred young people. One occasion the girls complained about the actions of the boys after the class was
dismissed. To remedy the matter, the minister dismissed the girls a little earlier, but this proved ineffective because the girls then waited for the
boys outside. He concluded that the girls were worse than the boys; but after all they meant well, for they preferred the young men of their own
church. During the ministry of Rev. Ekster an organ, costing two thousand dollars was placed in the church, and Mr. H. Verhaar was chosen as the
first organist. Since the minister was unable to look after all the interests of the large church in the proper manner, elder Datema was engaged as
the regular assistant. Glledreat difficulty was experienced in those days in discarding the so-called "doopleden-stelsel". Yet the church flourished.
A new school was built in 1900, and a new church was erected in the year 1903 at a cost of approximately sixteen thousand dollars. The new
building was dedicated on the 17th of March 1904. In the following year Rev. Ekster received and accepted a call to Midland Park, New Jersey.
Bidding farewell to the congregation from the text found in Philippians 4, verse 23.
Rev. S. Volbeda of Beaverdam was chosen as his successor. Some of the bretheren of the congregation went down to see him and to urge him, if
it might prove to be the will of God to accept the call. On the way back from the parsonage they stopped to visit one of the elders of Beaverdam
and were threatened with a rather cold reception. The elder's wife came out with a broom to ward them off. They pointed out, however, that she
could use the broom for better purposes, and were then invited in for a cup of tea. Rev. Volbeda accepted the call and took up his pastoral duties
at Alpine Avenue in the fall of the year 1905, preaching from Isiah 25, verse 1a, for his inaugural sermon. Rev. Smit, the former pastor of Rev.
Volbeda, installed him with the words, "Deal gently with the young man", II Samuel 18 verse 5. His labors were richly blessed in Alpine Ave. and
the church was mindful of the admonition of Rev. Smit to deal gently with him, for it willingly gave him a leave of absence, in order that he might
continue and complete his studies at the Free University of Amsterdam. The understanding was that if, after the completion of his studies, Alpine
was still without a minister, he would again take up the work. Rev. Volbeda bade farewell to the congregation using II Corinthians 13, verse 14.
Shortly after Rev. Volbeda left, Dr. J. Van Lonkhuizen paid a visit to America. He preached in several places and also conducted the services of
the Alpine Ave Church one Sunday. The result was that the consistory placed him on a trio and the congregation called him.
He accepted the call and came to America from Rijswijk in the Netherlands with his housekeeper, and was installed by Rev. J. W. Brink. For his
inaugural sermon his chose Exodus 3, verse 14, Later on he found a faithful helpmeet here. His sermons were characterized by many illustrations
drawn from nature, which served to symbolize spiritual truths. During his ministry the congregation went through the bitter experience of losing its
beautiful and commodious church building. The minister walked about through the assembled multitude with tears in his eyes, staggered by this
heavy blow and this also was a heavy blow to the congregation - because the debt was just paid off in a period of 10 years and there was only
5000 dollars insurance on the building. But the congregation was of one mind to rebuild, and an even more beautiful and larger church was soon
erected at the cost of about $35,000.00. This was all paid for in about 12 years. In the year 1911 there came an insistent demand for English
services, and the consistory felt that it had to comply with the request for the use of the American language in the evening services. This caused
the minister considerable difficulty. Consequently, when he received a call from Chicago I in 1918, he felt it his duty to accept, and his farewell
sermon was taken from Romans 8 verses, 31, 32.
Again the church was without a pastor, but it soon succeeded in securing the services of Rev. P.A. Hoekstra of Paterson 1. who saw his way clear to
leave the East and to come to Jerusalem, as Grand Rapids is often called. After having been installed by Rev. Eldersveld, the Rev. Hoekstra chose
Ephesians 6, verse 18 and 19 for his inaugural sermon. He was a man that was always very punctual in his work. His labors were appreciated and were
crowned with the blessings of God. After eight and one half years of faithful work among us, he accepted a call to Cicero II, bidding farewell with the
text taken from Acts 20, verse 27. He was succeeded by Rev. Dr. W. Masselink former pastor of the 14th street Church of Holland, MI being installed by
Rev. H. J. Kuipers. Rev. Masselink chose for his inaugural sermon 1 Timothy 3, verse 15 (omitting first phrase). He is at present serving our congregation
in an acceptable manner. His labors in our midst have been blessed in the past, and we hope that he may be permitted to continue his work among us for a
long time.
This brief history of our church shows us that we have abundant reasons to manifest our gratefulness to God for all the blessings so bounteously bestowed
upon us. We feel thankful, too that our congregation is well represented in the Faculty of our Theological Seminary, by Prof. Berkhof, a son of this church
who has labored a great deal among our young people, and by Prof. Volbeda, who has served our congregation for a period of five years, and also that several
of her sons served the Lord in the ministry. The first one was the late Rev. G. Haan, who served the Oakdale Park Church. The late candidate G.
Berkhof who was called to teach in the Seminary but died before he took up his labors. Prof. L. Berkhof who has served our Seminary for 25 years.
Rev. P.D. Van Vliet who labors at South Olive, Mi. Rev. H Baker who has charge of the Franklin St. Church, Grand Rapids. Rev. E. Joling at Austinville,
Iowa. Rev. T. Putt at Chicago IV. Rev. H. Wierenga at Winnipeg, Canada and Rev. Harry Dykstra at Jukao, Ku China, a missionary of the four churches
of the west side, also his brother Rev. S.A. Dykstra and Dr. L.S. Huizenga who are serving in China, which shows that our church obeys the command of
the Lord to preach the Gospel to all nations.
Our Church also supports city mission work and the Sunday School has a prosperous mission at Sparta.
May the faithful chief Shepherd of the church, who has nourished and guided and protected us in the past, continue the light of his countenance upon us also
in the next fifty years, bless us with his abiding presence, and make us ever increasingly faithful in the maintenance and defense of the truth, so that, when
after another fifty years the church may by the grace of God, celebrate its centennial, it may still stand as a monument of the truth and as a bulwark of the
faith that was once delivered to the saints.
THE CHRISTIAN REST HOME IN 1945
In the early nineteen-forties, a number of families affiliated with the Reformed and Christian Reformed Churches of the northwest area of Grand Rapids
became aware of a growing need for out of the home help for the care of the aged. In their search for such help they were dismayed by the serious
The Christian sense of responsibility challenged these families to do something about it. The first meeting for this purpose was held in the home of Gerrit
Voogt. Those attending the first meeting were M. Bergers, Henry Beute, James Bylsma, Herman Engels, Martin Hoogerhyde, John Lindhout, John
Lucassek, Gerrit Nederveld, Jay Palma, William Stgeenland, Bram TerVeen, and Gerrit Voogt. Rev. P. Y. De Jong from Alpine Ave. Christian Reformed
Church was instrumental in the desire to have a Christian nursing home on the west-side of Grand Rapids. There were many personal sacrifices made as
well as financial support from the founders of our Association. We thank our God for the devotion and concern of these gentlemen. A little later the
Association of the Christian Rest home was organized, and was incorporated under the laws of the State of Michigan on August 30, 1945.
Mr. G. Voogt became the first President of the new organization, and Mr. Henry Beute its first Secretary. These two names appear as signatories under the
Association's Constitution. The old VanderVeen Home at 1124 Alpine Ave., NW, was purchased and equipped to care for sixteen patients.
Because the facility seeks the well being of the total person, we strive to provide this nursing care in a social spiritual atmosphere that as closely as possible
approximates the ideals of the Christian home life cherished by our patients. It is also our aim to provide a high level of professional nursing care as
economically as possible with out sacrificing quality of care.
So great was the demand for this service that the board was encouraged to arrange for the construction of a much larger and more functional building. In
1956 an appeal was made to the official assemblies of the various Reformed churches of the Grand Rapids area for moral and financial support. The present
eight and one half acre site was purchased and in 1957 a sixty-five bed home was opened.
The cost of construction was financed through gifts and through a bond issue. All the patient rooms were furnished through memorial and other gifts.
In 1963 we opened a thirty-five bed addition, financed by a bond issue secured by the food name of the facility. We discovered that more than sufficient
money was available. Again all patient rooms were furnished through memorial gifts.
In the summer of 1972 a twenty-three bed addition was opened. This expansion included a kitchen designed for 150 to 160 beds for future expansion and
updating of existing areas within the home. This expansion was financed through promissory notes.
In November 1978 a forty bed addition was opened and out 10 four bed wards were converted to three bed wards. The home has a licensed bed capacity
of 153 beds. Due to new rules and regulations by the State of Michigan regarding financing of health facilities, the Association borrowed funds for the addition
through a lending institution at a favorable rate.
Besides Mr. G. Voogt, ten other men have served as presidents of the board of directors. They are Mr. Bram Ter Veen. Mr. Martin Hoogerhyde, Mr.
Cornelius De Vries Mr. Frank Dieleman, Mr. James Hoekenga, Mr John Ruiter, Dr. Anno Vander Kolk, Mr. Jacob Steenstra, Mr. Harry Vander Meer
and Mr. Roy Jurgens who holds this office at present.
HISTORY OF THE WEST SIDE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
On August 3, 1882, the Consistory of the Alpine Ave. Christian Reformed Church at a congregational meeting urged the erection of a school for Christian inst-
ruction, "for the purpose of keeping the children off the streets during the long summer vacation" taken by the public schools. The congregation concurred in the
recommendation, and on may 10, 1883 the construction of the school building was completed. It was a little one-room structure, which was also to be used as
a classroom for catechetical instruction. A student at the Western Theological School at Holland, Michigan, was given the appointment as teacher, and in the
early summer of 1883 the school opened its doors.
As all the instruction was given in the Holland language, the institution soon became popularly known as the "Dutch School". Only children between the ages
of 7 and 11were admitted, and there was little attempt, if any, to grade the children in accordance with age or scholarship. It was not until the fall of 1900 that
"the advisability of providing instruction by grades" was discussed in a congregational meeting of the Crosby St. Church, at which it was noted that the Alpine Ave.
Church school had adopted this system.
Mr. Albert Oltman, later Rev. Oltman, missionary to Japan, taught the first summer school, which was held in the new school-house, located at the rear of the
Alpine Avenue Church, then as now located at the corner of Alpine Avenue and Eleventh Street. The teacher's salary was stated to be the tuition moneys paid
in for the pupils by the parents, or, in case of need, "by the deacons out of the benevolent fund".
On Christmas Day of 1884 at a congregational meeting it was decided to enlarge the school, and the sum of $100.00 to $150.00 was voted to be set aside for that
purpose. In 1886 the building was again enlarged, in order to accommodate more pupils. This did not mean, however, that another room was added, but merely
additional space, so that in al it amounted to two fair-sized rooms in which 80 or 100 children could be seated.
In 1886 the regular vacation time in the public schools again brought the "Dutch School" in use and during August of that year the Consistory decided to offer its
educational facilities for year-round use. In this brief sketch we shall not go into great detail concerning its primitive teaching aids employed at the time, but a
glimpse of the conditions prevailing may be had by quoting from the memory of Mr. JIBS. Hulst, the first all-year-round-teacher in the "Dutch School".
Mr. Hulst says: "School was held in a little white building of one room facing Alpine Avenue. I taught in this school from 1886 to 1888. I began in 1886 with 24
pupils. My salary was the school tuition (schoolgeld), which each child paid, which was ten cents per week. The consistory furnished the school building, books,
slates, fuel, etc. The consistory had added an addition to the school, not another room, but additional space. I engaged as assistant Student (later Rev.) H.
Walkotten. In that space of two fair sized rooms of an ordinary dwelling we packed 185 children. We had firmly determined to settle the question of keeping
order the very first day. The boys soon started to raise a disturbance. We immediately told them that we were not accustomed to have disorder in our Dutch
School, and a half dozen scholars were shown where the door was. They were told they could not return unless they apologized and promised to behave. All
came back but one. And they came back 'met hangende pootjes.'
One of the scholars at the time was Lee Huizenga, who is at present Medical Missionary in china. His own mother told me at the time that one of my Bible
lesions had so impressed him that he opened his heart to her and said how terrible it would be if those millions of heathens would have to enter eternity without
ever hearing about Jesus, the Savior. Could it be that in that little Dutch School a seed was planted which would bear such rich fruit, also for the poor lepers in
China? Another of my scholars was Mark Bouma, who later on labored on the Indian Mission field.
"And then there is another scholar, whom I surely must not forget! It was the present Rev. P.D. Van Vliet, of South Olive, Michigan, (who presently has been
emeritated.) They used to call him 'little Peter,' because of his size.
When in 1889 the Crosby St. church was organized by several members of the Alpine Ave. congregation, and a small church building of frame construction was
erected, it was soon found desirable to have an additional structure for the use of the young people's groups of that congregation. Scarcely six months later a
number of parents in the newly organized church requested the consistory to permit the use of the little adjacent building for the purpose of giving Christian
instruction, and on February 12, 1890, at a congregational meeting it was decided to open a Christian day school for about sixty children. Mr. T. Vander Ark was
selected as the teacher, and Consistory promised to remunerate him as "funds will permit". At a subsequent congregational meeting, also held in February,
1890, Elder H. Buter, Deacon G. Naber and the brethren Lukas Fyer and William De Jong were chosen to constitute the first school board.
In 1887 a small group of parents in the Alpine Ave. congregation had banded together as a school society, not for the express purpose of administering school
affairs, but to aid in the financial support, and to make propaganda for the cause of Christian education. The Consistory appointed a school board, half of whom
were members of the consistory, the others prominent; lay men in the congregation.
To give some idea of the value of money in those days it may be interesting to note that late in 1894 the principal of the Alpine Avenue School requested a salary
of $7.50 per week, which "the school board and Consistory did not see their way clear to grant." When Mr. Vander Meer thereupon left to take up a position at
Kalamazoo, the new teacher appointed in his place was called at a salary of $7.00 per week, with one week's vacation per annum with pay, and the same salary
was still in force in the year 1900. In fact, at the beginning of our twentieth century, when two teachers were employed at the Crosby St. school, their respective
salaries were set at $6.00 and $7.00 per week, the larger sum accruing to the acting principal, and in the summer of 1901 a supplementary teacher was secured at
a weekly stipend of $3.00. The school board stuggled with inadequate finances continually from 1895 through 1899, and the maintenance of the school buildings
had to be borne entirely by the congregational general fund. Salaries were paid, generally speaking, from tuition income.
In the early nineties there arose voices which spoke of the conviction that it was the duty of Christian parents to provide for Christian instruction for their children to give
covenant children training in all branches of knowledge based upon the truths contained in God's holy work, to equip men and women for Christian duties and tasks.
On April 23, 1897, in a meeting held in the Alpine Ave. Church, it was decided by those present to establish a society for the promotion of Christian instruction,
locally and generally Mr. H. Oosting, then principal of the "Dutch School" on Alpine Avenue was elected president and on May 7th of the same year Rev. P. Ekster
was appointed Honorary President.
The minutes of these years give evidence of the fact that the school boards then functioning reported more or less regularly to the Consistories involved. No copy
of the original constitution and by-laws (Algemeen Reglement van de Vereeniging voor Christelyk Onderwys op Gereformeerden Grondslag) has been found, but it is
stated that 72 members subscribed, and their names have been enrolled in the first minutes of the Society.
By July of 1897 there were 83 members who had joined together in the society, and special and regular meetings of the membership were held, at which interesting
and instructive essays and theses were delivered on various aspects of Christian education, the public school, the dangers threatening youth, and other subjects,
outlines of which are set forth in the minutes. These papers often occasioned considerable spirited debate.
In a special meeting of the Society held on September 27, 1898, it was decided that the Society would assume the responsibility of financing and administering the
task of the two Christian schools on the West Side. There was some hesitation on the part of certain members, who believed that Consistories ought to continue
leadership and control, but Rev. Ekster "enlightened the brethren that the cause of Christian education would run along better lines, if the Society would do so.
This remark of the Pastor immediately satisfied these brethren. This was evident when an oral vote was taken on the question whether the society would view it as
its task to assume responsibility for Christian instruction. For everyone answered 'Yes' " (Translation by the Committee.) The proposition by the Board to the Society
to take over the cause immediately was thereupon adopted, and a Committee was sent to the Alpine Ave. Consistory with the request to give up the real estate
and the seats and school books and other facilities to the Society. This request was granted, with the provision that the Consistory would continue to exercise
control over the religious instruction given at the school, and that the Society would draw up a constitution incorporating this provision, to be approved by the Consistory.
Action resulting in the establishment of a school society composed of parents was taken with reference to the Crosby St. School in April 1899, and control of
school policies, finance and general administration was taken over gradually by the societies, although Consistories continued direct supervision of both schools for some years thereafter.
In the meantime the Alpine Ave. school had been enlarged once and again and in 1899 an eight room building was erected, bearing the name "Rehoboth"
In October, 1900, five rooms were in actual use in the Alpine Ave. School, and six grades were taught. At this time approximately 200 children received
instruction at this school, which was given in the Holland language only, up to and including grade 4-2, and in the higher grades about 90 children received
instruction in the English tongue. (Until 1917 the study of the Holland language was required, but at that time its use as a classroom vehicle had been discontinued.)
Less than two years later it was decided to enlarge the school's equipment and faculty, to instruct children to and including grade 8-2. At this time the principal,
Mr. Osting, reported 354 children enrolled, and an average attendance of 318, while 70 pupils were registered as children of non-members.
 
History of the Alpine Christian Reformed Church
1881 - 1931
Grand Rapids, Michigan

 

ALPINE CRC CHURCH
FROM THE FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY BOOK
As we look back upon the past today, we involuntarily think of many dear ones, who formerly gathered with us but are no more in our midst.
We miss them on this festive occasion and a feeling of sadness comes over us. But at the same time our hearts are filled with joy.
We are thinking of former days and years, and are mindful of what the Lord has done for us in the past half a century. He saw to it that
the passing of those who have gone before did not mean the passing of our local church. He was always mindful of his covenant and continued
his church in the generations of a consecrated seed. That the church of Alpine Avenue may celebrate her fiftieth anniversary, and that at the
end of the period she is still strong and virile, - she owed it all to her covenant God. He has always provided the church with faithful ministers,
has created in her midst by his Holy Spirit, has provided for her and has created in her midst by his Holy Spirit, has provided for her and
protected her. He has led her all the way in the past fifty years.
In 1881, there was not Christian Reformed Church on the west side. Whatever Christian Reformed people lived in these parts then attended
the first church on Spring Street, The Second Reformed church, or the Free Christian Reformed Church on Division Street. It was a beautiful
sight to see our people walking through town with their Psalters and Bibles, as they wended their way to their places of worship. Through they
had to walk quite a distance, they were sure to attend church two or three times a Sunday.
In the year 1881 a number of men went to the consistory of Spring Street’s Church with a petition signed by themselves and several others,
requesting the establishment of a church on their papers, to join the new congregation, if it should be founded. The consistory of Spring Street
favored this matter and appointed a committee, consisting of the brethren H. Datema and A. Van Bree, to look around for a suitable location.
These brethren left the consistory meeting at an early hour, walked up and down Alpine Ave., stopped at the corner of Twelfth Street, and later at
that of Eleventh Street to discuss the desirability of the location. It was a beautiful moonlight evening, so that everything was clearly visible.
They came to the conclusion that the corner of Alpine Ave. and Eleventh Street offered the best prospects, because it was right in the center of
our west side people. They inquired as to the owners of the property, and were informed that it belonged to two ladies. The owners proved to be
very generous and were willing to donate the lots, if a church were built on them. Because this was the purpose, the brethren could give them the
assurance that a church would be erected there. And thanked the ladies most heartily for their gift. They reported to the consistory, and the
consistory accepted the report with thanks and approved of the action of the committee. A suitable frame building was erected, facing Alpine
Avenue, at a comparatively low figure since wood was inexpensive in those days and wages were not high. The church with its steeple pointing
heavenward was quite an ornament for the corner of which it was built. After the church was finished, the congregation, which had meanwhile been
and organized for a time met in temporary quarters on West Leonard Street, moved into its new home. Efforts were now made to secure a pastor.
The church was disappointed once and again but finally received word from Rev. W. H. Frieling of Cincinnati that he accepted its call. Since there
was no parsonage yet, a house was rented near Tenth Street. Shortly after that, however, the church through the mediation of a Mr. Van Bree,
received two lots of Mr. Stocking just opposite the church. Wonderful provision was thus made for the young church.
The first minister, Rev. W. H. Freiling, was installed in the fall of 1882 by the Rev. Vos of Spring Street, and preached his inaugural sermon from I
Corinthians 15, verse 25. Due to constant immigration from the Netherlands, the church enjoyed a healthy and rather speedy growth. At first it
was often called "The Frisian church" because so many of its members hailed from Friesland on the Netherlands. In course of time, however, it
lost this name, since people from other provinces, such as Groningen, Zeeland, and Drenthe, joined in goodly numbers. The people were not yet
used to the American climate and often complained about its extremes. In the summertime's they would find the heat very oppressive and on
coming to church would slake their thirst from two pails of water, using common dippers, without worrying about the germs which they might thus
imbibe; and having quenched their natural thirst, they would enter the sanctuary to drink with deep draughts of the water of life. During the winter
season they would frequently complain about the bitter cold. One occasion several of them came to church with their ears and noses frozen,
and when they approached the stoves in the church soon found the paid unendurable, so that they rushed outside to wash their faces with snow.
But all this did not keep them from coming to church and from listening with warm hearts to the preaching of the Word. Rev. Frieling was a serious-
minded man, a faithful pastor, and very much interested in the things of the kingdom of God. On one occasion he visited Rev. Hdemkes, who was
then pastor of Viesland's church. In the afternoon he wanted to return home, and Rev. Hemkes accompanied him to the depot. They engaged in a
discussion and were so absorbed in it that they never noticed the coming and leaving of the train. In 1886 he accepted a call to Lamont, after having
served the Alpine Avenue Church for about four years, preaching his farewell sermon from I Corinthians 1, verse 10.
Rev. P Ekster, who was at that time pastor of the Christian Reformed Church at Spring Lake, was now called, and saw his very clear to accept, so
The new minister was installed by Rev. Huist of Coldbrook, and chose Colossians 4, verse 3, for his inaugural sermon. Since the church grew
rapidly, the need of larger quarters was soon keenly felt. In 1883 it had already been decided to enlarge the church by building a section onto the
north side of the original church, but since the necessary funds were not available this was postponed. In 1886, however, due to the phenomenal
growth of the church it was possible to carry out the plan. The church was then changed into what is called in the Holland language a "kuriskerk".
Since Rev. Ekster's throat did not always permit him to preach three times from Sunday to Sunday, it often happened that one of the elders would
read a sermon in the evening. In those days the people often spoke of the Alpine Avenue Church as Rev. Ekster's Church. This was undoubtedly
due to the fact that he served the church so long (a period of nineteen years). He practically became identified with it. There was at that time a very
large catechism class of about a hundred young people. One occasion the girls complained about the actions of the boys after the class was
dismissed. To remedy the matter, the minister dismissed the girls a little earlier, but this proved ineffective because the girls then waited for the
boys outside. He concluded that the girls were worse than the boys; but after all they meant well, for they preferred the young men of their own
church. During the ministry of Rev. Ekster an organ, costing two thousand dollars was placed in the church, and Mr. H. Verhaar was chosen as the
first organist. Since the minister was unable to look after all the interests of the large church in the proper manner, elder Datema was engaged as
the regular assistant. Glledreat difficulty was experienced in those days in discarding the so-called "doopleden-stelsel". Yet the church flourished.
A new school was built in 1900, and a new church was erected in the year 1903 at a cost of approximately sixteen thousand dollars. The new
building was dedicated on the 17th of March 1904. In the following year Rev. Ekster received and accepted a call to Midland Park, New Jersey.
Bidding farewell to the congregation from the text found in Philippians 4, verse 23.
Rev. S. Volbeda of Beaverdam was chosen as his successor. Some of the bretheren of the congregation went down to see him and to urge him, if
it might prove to be the will of God to accept the call. On the way back from the parsonage they stopped to visit one of the elders of Beaverdam
and were threatened with a rather cold reception. The elder's wife came out with a broom to ward them off. They pointed out, however, that she
could use the broom for better purposes, and were then invited in for a cup of tea. Rev. Volbeda accepted the call and took up his pastoral duties
at Alpine Avenue in the fall of the year 1905, preaching from Isiah 25, verse 1a, for his inaugural sermon. Rev. Smit, the former pastor of Rev.
Volbeda, installed him with the words, "Deal gently with the young man", II Samuel 18 verse 5. His labors were richly blessed in Alpine Ave. and
the church was mindful of the admonition of Rev. Smit to deal gently with him, for it willingly gave him a leave of absence, in order that he might
continue and complete his studies at the Free University of Amsterdam. The understanding was that if, after the completion of his studies, Alpine
was still without a minister, he would again take up the work. Rev. Volbeda bade farewell to the congregation using II Corinthians 13, verse 14.
Shortly after Rev. Volbeda left, Dr. J. Van Lonkhuizen paid a visit to America. He preached in several places and also conducted the services of
the Alpine Ave Church one Sunday. The result was that the consistory placed him on a trio and the congregation called him.
He accepted the call and came to America from Rijswijk in the Netherlands with his housekeeper, and was installed by Rev. J. W. Brink. For his
inaugural sermon his chose Exodus 3, verse 14, Later on he found a faithful helpmeet here. His sermons were characterized by many illustrations
drawn from nature, which served to symbolize spiritual truths. During his ministry the congregation went through the bitter experience of losing its
beautiful and commodious church building. The minister walked about through the assembled multitude with tears in his eyes, staggered by this
heavy blow and this also was a heavy blow to the congregation - because the debt was just paid off in a period of 10 years and there was only
5000 dollars insurance on the building. But the congregation was of one mind to rebuild, and an even more beautiful and larger church was soon
erected at the cost of about $35,000.00. This was all paid for in about 12 years. In the year 1911 there came an insistent demand for English
services, and the consistory felt that it had to comply with the request for the use of the American language in the evening services. This caused
the minister considerable difficulty. Consequently, when he received a call from Chicago I in 1918, he felt it his duty to accept, and his farewell
sermon was taken from Romans 8 verses, 31, 32.
Again the church was without a pastor, but it soon succeeded in securing the services of Rev. P.A. Hoekstra of Paterson 1. who saw his way clear to
leave the East and to come to Jerusalem, as Grand Rapids is often called. After having been installed by Rev. Eldersveld, the Rev. Hoekstra chose
Ephesians 6, verse 18 and 19 for his inaugural sermon. He was a man that was always very punctual in his work. His labors were appreciated and were
crowned with the blessings of God. After eight and one half years of faithful work among us, he accepted a call to Cicero II, bidding farewell with the
text taken from Acts 20, verse 27. He was succeeded by Rev. Dr. W. Masselink former pastor of the 14th street Church of Holland, MI being installed by
Rev. H. J. Kuipers. Rev. Masselink chose for his inaugural sermon 1 Timothy 3, verse 15 (omitting first phrase). He is at present serving our congregation
in an acceptable manner. His labors in our midst have been blessed in the past, and we hope that he may be permitted to continue his work among us for a
long time.
This brief history of our church shows us that we have abundant reasons to manifest our gratefulness to God for all the blessings so bounteously bestowed
upon us. We feel thankful, too that our congregation is well represented in the Faculty of our Theological Seminary, by Prof. Berkhof, a son of this church
who has labored a great deal among our young people, and by Prof. Volbeda, who has served our congregation for a period of five years, and also that several
of her sons served the Lord in the ministry. The first one was the late Rev. G. Haan, who served the Oakdale Park Church. The late candidate G.
Berkhof who was called to teach in the Seminary but died before he took up his labors. Prof. L. Berkhof who has served our Seminary for 25 years.
Rev. P.D. Van Vliet who labors at South Olive, Mi. Rev. H Baker who has charge of the Franklin St. Church, Grand Rapids. Rev. E. Joling at Austinville,
Iowa. Rev. T. Putt at Chicago IV. Rev. H. Wierenga at Winnipeg, Canada and Rev. Harry Dykstra at Jukao, Ku China, a missionary of the four churches
of the west side, also his brother Rev. S.A. Dykstra and Dr. L.S. Huizenga who are serving in China, which shows that our church obeys the command of
the Lord to preach the Gospel to all nations.
Our Church also supports city mission work and the Sunday School has a prosperous mission at Sparta.
May the faithful chief Shepherd of the church, who has nourished and guided and protected us in the past, continue the light of his countenance upon us also
in the next fifty years, bless us with his abiding presence, and make us ever increasingly faithful in the maintenance and defense of the truth, so that, when
after another fifty years the church may by the grace of God, celebrate its centennial, it may still stand as a monument of the truth and as a bulwark of the
faith that was once delivered to the saints.
THE CHRISTIAN REST HOME IN 1945
In the early nineteen-forties, a number of families affiliated with the Reformed and Christian Reformed Churches of the northwest area of Grand Rapids
became aware of a growing need for out of the home help for the care of the aged. In their search for such help they were dismayed by the serious
The Christian sense of responsibility challenged these families to do something about it. The first meeting for this purpose was held in the home of Gerrit
Voogt. Those attending the first meeting were M. Bergers, Henry Beute, James Bylsma, Herman Engels, Martin Hoogerhyde, John Lindhout, John
Lucassek, Gerrit Nederveld, Jay Palma, William Stgeenland, Bram TerVeen, and Gerrit Voogt. Rev. P. Y. De Jong from Alpine Ave. Christian Reformed
Church was instrumental in the desire to have a Christian nursing home on the west-side of Grand Rapids. There were many personal sacrifices made as
well as financial support from the founders of our Association. We thank our God for the devotion and concern of these gentlemen. A little later the
Association of the Christian Rest home was organized, and was incorporated under the laws of the State of Michigan on August 30, 1945.
Mr. G. Voogt became the first President of the new organization, and Mr. Henry Beute its first Secretary. These two names appear as signatories under the
Association's Constitution. The old VanderVeen Home at 1124 Alpine Ave., NW, was purchased and equipped to care for sixteen patients.
Because the facility seeks the well being of the total person, we strive to provide this nursing care in a social spiritual atmosphere that as closely as possible
approximates the ideals of the Christian home life cherished by our patients. It is also our aim to provide a high level of professional nursing care as
economically as possible with out sacrificing quality of care.
So great was the demand for this service that the board was encouraged to arrange for the construction of a much larger and more functional building. In
1956 an appeal was made to the official assemblies of the various Reformed churches of the Grand Rapids area for moral and financial support. The present
eight and one half acre site was purchased and in 1957 a sixty-five bed home was opened.
The cost of construction was financed through gifts and through a bond issue. All the patient rooms were furnished through memorial and other gifts.
In 1963 we opened a thirty-five bed addition, financed by a bond issue secured by the food name of the facility. We discovered that more than sufficient
money was available. Again all patient rooms were furnished through memorial gifts.
In the summer of 1972 a twenty-three bed addition was opened. This expansion included a kitchen designed for 150 to 160 beds for future expansion and
updating of existing areas within the home. This expansion was financed through promissory notes.
In November 1978 a forty bed addition was opened and out 10 four bed wards were converted to three bed wards. The home has a licensed bed capacity
of 153 beds. Due to new rules and regulations by the State of Michigan regarding financing of health facilities, the Association borrowed funds for the addition
through a lending institution at a favorable rate.
Besides Mr. G. Voogt, ten other men have served as presidents of the board of directors. They are Mr. Bram Ter Veen. Mr. Martin Hoogerhyde, Mr.
Cornelius De Vries Mr. Frank Dieleman, Mr. James Hoekenga, Mr John Ruiter, Dr. Anno Vander Kolk, Mr. Jacob Steenstra, Mr. Harry Vander Meer
and Mr. Roy Jurgens who holds this office at present.
HISTORY OF THE WEST SIDE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
On August 3, 1882, the Consistory of the Alpine Ave. Christian Reformed Church at a congregational meeting urged the erection of a school for Christian inst-
ruction, "for the purpose of keeping the children off the streets during the long summer vacation" taken by the public schools. The congregation concurred in the
recommendation, and on may 10, 1883 the construction of the school building was completed. It was a little one-room structure, which was also to be used as
a classroom for catechetical instruction. A student at the Western Theological School at Holland, Michigan, was given the appointment as teacher, and in the
early summer of 1883 the school opened its doors.
As all the instruction was given in the Holland language, the institution soon became popularly known as the "Dutch School". Only children between the ages
of 7 and 11were admitted, and there was little attempt, if any, to grade the children in accordance with age or scholarship. It was not until the fall of 1900 that
"the advisability of providing instruction by grades" was discussed in a congregational meeting of the Crosby St. Church, at which it was noted that the Alpine Ave.
Church school had adopted this system.
Mr. Albert Oltman, later Rev. Oltman, missionary to Japan, taught the first summer school, which was held in the new school-house, located at the rear of the
Alpine Avenue Church, then as now located at the corner of Alpine Avenue and Eleventh Street. The teacher's salary was stated to be the tuition moneys paid
in for the pupils by the parents, or, in case of need, "by the deacons out of the benevolent fund".
On Christmas Day of 1884 at a congregational meeting it was decided to enlarge the school, and the sum of $100.00 to $150.00 was voted to be set aside for that
purpose. In 1886 the building was again enlarged, in order to accommodate more pupils. This did not mean, however, that another room was added, but merely
additional space, so that in al it amounted to two fair-sized rooms in which 80 or 100 children could be seated.
In 1886 the regular vacation time in the public schools again brought the "Dutch School" in use and during August of that year the Consistory decided to offer its
educational facilities for year-round use. In this brief sketch we shall not go into great detail concerning its primitive teaching aids employed at the time, but a
glimpse of the conditions prevailing may be had by quoting from the memory of Mr. JIBS. Hulst, the first all-year-round-teacher in the "Dutch School".
Mr. Hulst says: "School was held in a little white building of one room facing Alpine Avenue. I taught in this school from 1886 to 1888. I began in 1886 with 24
pupils. My salary was the school tuition (schoolgeld), which each child paid, which was ten cents per week. The consistory furnished the school building, books,
slates, fuel, etc. The consistory had added an addition to the school, not another room, but additional space. I engaged as assistant Student (later Rev.) H.
Walkotten. In that space of two fair sized rooms of an ordinary dwelling we packed 185 children. We had firmly determined to settle the question of keeping
order the very first day. The boys soon started to raise a disturbance. We immediately told them that we were not accustomed to have disorder in our Dutch
School, and a half dozen scholars were shown where the door was. They were told they could not return unless they apologized and promised to behave. All
came back but one. And they came back 'met hangende pootjes.'
One of the scholars at the time was Lee Huizenga, who is at present Medical Missionary in china. His own mother told me at the time that one of my Bible
lesions had so impressed him that he opened his heart to her and said how terrible it would be if those millions of heathens would have to enter eternity without
ever hearing about Jesus, the Savior. Could it be that in that little Dutch School a seed was planted which would bear such rich fruit, also for the poor lepers in
China? Another of my scholars was Mark Bouma, who later on labored on the Indian Mission field.
"And then there is another scholar, whom I surely must not forget! It was the present Rev. P.D. Van Vliet, of South Olive, Michigan, (who presently has been
emeritated.) They used to call him 'little Peter,' because of his size.
When in 1889 the Crosby St. church was organized by several members of the Alpine Ave. congregation, and a small church building of frame construction was
erected, it was soon found desirable to have an additional structure for the use of the young people's groups of that congregation. Scarcely six months later a
number of parents in the newly organized church requested the consistory to permit the use of the little adjacent building for the purpose of giving Christian
instruction, and on February 12, 1890, at a congregational meeting it was decided to open a Christian day school for about sixty children. Mr. T. Vander Ark was
selected as the teacher, and Consistory promised to remunerate him as "funds will permit". At a subsequent congregational meeting, also held in February,
1890, Elder H. Buter, Deacon G. Naber and the brethren Lukas Fyer and William De Jong were chosen to constitute the first school board.
In 1887 a small group of parents in the Alpine Ave. congregation had banded together as a school society, not for the express purpose of administering school
affairs, but to aid in the financial support, and to make propaganda for the cause of Christian education. The Consistory appointed a school board, half of whom
were members of the consistory, the others prominent; lay men in the congregation.
To give some idea of the value of money in those days it may be interesting to note that late in 1894 the principal of the Alpine Avenue School requested a salary
of $7.50 per week, which "the school board and Consistory did not see their way clear to grant." When Mr. Vander Meer thereupon left to take up a position at
Kalamazoo, the new teacher appointed in his place was called at a salary of $7.00 per week, with one week's vacation per annum with pay, and the same salary
was still in force in the year 1900. In fact, at the beginning of our twentieth century, when two teachers were employed at the Crosby St. school, their respective
salaries were set at $6.00 and $7.00 per week, the larger sum accruing to the acting principal, and in the summer of 1901 a supplementary teacher was secured at
a weekly stipend of $3.00. The school board stuggled with inadequate finances continually from 1895 through 1899, and the maintenance of the school buildings
had to be borne entirely by the congregational general fund. Salaries were paid, generally speaking, from tuition income.
In the early nineties there arose voices which spoke of the conviction that it was the duty of Christian parents to provide for Christian instruction for their children to give
covenant children training in all branches of knowledge based upon the truths contained in God's holy work, to equip men and women for Christian duties and tasks.
On April 23, 1897, in a meeting held in the Alpine Ave. Church, it was decided by those present to establish a society for the promotion of Christian instruction,
locally and generally Mr. H. Oosting, then principal of the "Dutch School" on Alpine Avenue was elected president and on May 7th of the same year Rev. P. Ekster
was appointed Honorary President.
The minutes of these years give evidence of the fact that the school boards then functioning reported more or less regularly to the Consistories involved. No copy
of the original constitution and by-laws (Algemeen Reglement van de Vereeniging voor Christelyk Onderwys op Gereformeerden Grondslag) has been found, but it is
stated that 72 members subscribed, and their names have been enrolled in the first minutes of the Society.
By July of 1897 there were 83 members who had joined together in the society, and special and regular meetings of the membership were held, at which interesting
and instructive essays and theses were delivered on various aspects of Christian education, the public school, the dangers threatening youth, and other subjects,
outlines of which are set forth in the minutes. These papers often occasioned considerable spirited debate.
In a special meeting of the Society held on September 27, 1898, it was decided that the Society would assume the responsibility of financing and administering the
task of the two Christian schools on the West Side. There was some hesitation on the part of certain members, who believed that Consistories ought to continue
leadership and control, but Rev. Ekster "enlightened the brethren that the cause of Christian education would run along better lines, if the Society would do so.
This remark of the Pastor immediately satisfied these brethren. This was evident when an oral vote was taken on the question whether the society would view it as
its task to assume responsibility for Christian instruction. For everyone answered 'Yes' " (Translation by the Committee.) The proposition by the Board to the Society
to take over the cause immediately was thereupon adopted, and a Committee was sent to the Alpine Ave. Consistory with the request to give up the real estate
and the seats and school books and other facilities to the Society. This request was granted, with the provision that the Consistory would continue to exercise
control over the religious instruction given at the school, and that the Society would draw up a constitution incorporating this provision, to be approved by the Consistory.
Action resulting in the establishment of a school society composed of parents was taken with reference to the Crosby St. School in April 1899, and control of
school policies, finance and general administration was taken over gradually by the societies, although Consistories continued direct supervision of both schools for some years thereafter.
In the meantime the Alpine Ave. school had been enlarged once and again and in 1899 an eight room building was erected, bearing the name "Rehoboth"
In October, 1900, five rooms were in actual use in the Alpine Ave. School, and six grades were taught. At this time approximately 200 children received
instruction at this school, which was given in the Holland language only, up to and including grade 4-2, and in the higher grades about 90 children received
instruction in the English tongue. (Until 1917 the study of the Holland language was required, but at that time its use as a classroom vehicle had been discontinued.)
Less than two years later it was decided to enlarge the school's equipment and faculty, to instruct children to and including grade 8-2. At this time the principal,
Mr. Osting, reported 354 children enrolled, and an average attendance of 318, while 70 pupils were registered as children of non-members.

Transcriber: Karen Blumenshine
Created: 28 May 2004
URL: http://kent.migenweb.net/churches/christianref/alpinecrc/history.html