1953 Dec 15-21 permission granted by consistory of 1^st Jenison to organize a new congregation; those interested singed petition to be be presented to consistory of 1^st Jenison

1954 Jan 18 petition signed. Presented to Classis GR South
March 25 56 families registered on enrollment records
March 29 at congregation meeting, decided to purchase property-$4800. from Jacob Van Houten and Peter Van Dyke
April 4 1^st service held at Hudsonville Christian School
April 10 1^st Loyal Service-Guild meeting
April 15 1^st Philathea Society meeting
June 14 ground breaking for church
Fall parsonage built
Nov call to Rev. Henry Vander Kam

1955 Jan 28 installation of Rev. Henry Vander Kam services held in basement ceremonies

1956 May 21 plans for building upper structure of church
Sept 29 cornerstone laying ceremonies

1957 June 27,28 dedication of church building

1960 Sept 18 Baldwin St CRC organized

1961 TV for basement seating

1962 Cadet building built seating in basement for services

1965 Jan Rev. Vander Kam farewell
March 7 Rev. John Hulst installed Ridgewood CR organized

1967 1^st photo directory printed Chancel area of church remodeled, purchase of Moehler organ, Cadet building remodeled

1968 June 27 farewell to Rev. John Hulst Sept 1 installation of Rev. Henry Erffgmeyer

1970 July 19 Cottonwood CRC organized

1972 2^nd photo directory

1973 1^st Faith Promise and Mission Emphasis activities

1975 steeple added to church

1977 redecoration of church, new carpeting in basement 3^rd photo directory

1979 25^th anniversary-photo book of anniversary, bulletins

1981 Sept 27 Rev. Erffmeyer farewell and retirement

1982 Jan 17 Rev. Alvin Bolt installed-4^th photo directory

1987 5^th photo directory

1987-1988 west addition on building, fellowship room, offices, elevator

1990 Rev. Van Wyk joined pastoral staff as pastor of visitation

1994 40^th Anniversary

1996 Church refurbishing, air conditioning added, new pews-meeting at Cottonwood CRC and Jenison Christian School, old pews shippedto Romania

1997 June Rev. Calvin Bolt retired
Rev. Wilmer Witte served as interim pastor

1998 June 21 installation of Rev. Laryn Zoerhof-6^th photo directory

2003 7^th photo directory

2004 April 25-May 2 50^th anniversary celebration of 12th Av CRC

. . .from the fourth pictorial directory:

"As you look at these pictures you will see that God has richly blessed Twelfth Avenue Church. He has given us a wonderful church wherein we can worship and serve Him. May the Holy Spirit work in us so that we will become what He wants us to be."

Rev. Calvin Bolt

…from the 1998 directory:

"The church, after all, is people who love Jesus because we have experienced the wonder of His Love for us. And people who love people-because we want the love of Jesus to flow through us to enrich the lives of others in our church and in the community in which we live."

Pastor Laryn Zoerhof

Council Members Who Served
(*indicates served as deacon and elder)

Acterhoff, Wilburt Hendricks, Gordon Schut, Norman Alofs, Fernley Henson, Lynworth Scripps, John Baatenburg,
David Hiemstra, George Steenstra, Herman Besteman, Jacob Honderd, Gerald* Steenstra, Herman Betten, Henry Honderd, John Stroo, Abraham Blanke, Emery Houskamp, John* Talsma, DarlBoice, Paul Houskamp, John Jr. Ten Brink,
Greg* Bomhof, Henry* Huberts, James* Ter Avest, Calvin Boomsma, Peter* Huberts, Cornelius Toonstra, Elmer Bos, Ronald Huibregtse, Alvin Van Duyn, Martin Bosscher, Harry Huizenga, John* Van Dyke, Peter*Bottema, Peter Huizenga, Calvin* Van Dyke, Robert Brummel, Russ Kerkstra, Larry Van Dyken, Gerald Buchhotz, Elmer Kleinjans,
Donald* Van Houten, Jacob Buikema, Robert Kleinjans, Thomas Van Houten, John P.*Buist, Andrew Klooster,
Brian Van Houten, William Burman, Clarence* Klyn, Sidney* Van Vels, David Burman, Jon Knoll, Donald Van Vels,
Gerrit Butterworth, Douglas Knot, Lester* Van Wyk, James Buys, Gary Koedoot, Herbert Van Wyk, Thomas Buys,
Ray* Kooistra, Kenneth Van Wylen, Cornelius*Buys, Douglas Koops, Merle* Van Zalen, Philip Byker, Albertus* Koster, David Vander Heide, David Camiller, Stephen Koster, Roger* Vander Hoek, Jack De Vries, James Koster,
Henry* Vander Honing, John De Vries, John Jr. Koster, Michael Vander Molen, Herman De Vries, John Sr. Krikke,
Jason Vander Plaats, Peter De Vries, Marvin* Kroll, James Vander Ploeg, Dalmer De Groot, Larry Lankheet,
Harold* Vander Ploeg, Herman*De Jong, Howard* Lucas, Harold* Vander Wal, Maynard De Boer, Roger Matthysse, Marinus* Vander Werf, Albert*Dekker, Joel Meyer, Harry* Vander Woude, August Diephuis, Daniel Morsink,
John* Veenstra, Rob Diephuis, Roger* Mulder, Raymond Veltema, John Dood, Cornelius Mulder, Jeffery* Venema, Wilbert* Doombos, Robert Nyhoff, Ronald* Visser, Tom*Droge, Andrew* Nylaan, Harold Visser, George*Dyk,
Edward Palmbos, Allen Visser, Cornelius Dykema, Lee Popma, Gary* Vonk, Arlyn* Dykstra, Delbert Prins,
Martin Vredevoogd, Larry Elenbaas, Earl Pruis, Jacob Vugteveen, Jack*Emelander, Sherwyn Rillema, Harris Wagner, Robert Faber, Warren* Ritsema, Albert* Walton, Gary Feenstra, Jacob* Roosien, Michael* Werkema, Robert Hart,
Albert* Rozema, Harold Wierenga, Daniel Hart, William Rozeveld, Ross Yff, Nicholas Haveman, Douglas* Rozeveld, Edward* Zoet, Jerry*Haverkamp, Thomas Schippers, William Zuidema, John Haverkamp, Harvey Scholten,
Kenneth Zuildema, John Haverkamp, James Scholten, John* Zuidema, William Heiss,Russel Schreude, Hermmo Zylsta, Bernard Hekman, Arnie* Schut, Robert ______

Twelfth Avenue Christian Reformed is a daughter church of First Jenison Christian Reformed. First Jenison Church was established in 1875 and was originally named The Jenison Church. The Jenison Church was the only Christian Reformed church between Noordeloos (1857) on the west; Kelloggville (1875) on the south; and First Grand Rapids (1857) on the east. (information is from the 1924 Yearbook of the Christian Reformed Church.)

Jenison was a stage coach stop in the 1800’s. The Jenison Hotel had many prominent guests who were traveling to Chicago and Detroit. The Ottawa Indian Tribe had trading posts on the banks of the Grand River. The river was used for transportation from Lansing to the port of Grand Haven. (from The Bend in the River.)

The Yearbook of 1940 reports a membership of 812 souls in The Jenison Church, a member of the newly organized (1938) Classis Grand Rapids South.

The population shifts of the nineteen fifties brought many changes to the communities in Ottawa County. The family farm was replaced by office furniture manufacturers and auto supply factories. The skilled workers of west Michigan who displayed a strong work ethic appealed to the new employers.

Jenison experienced an influx of young families coming "in from the county" and "out from the city." During World War II and the Korean Conflict many young men left the farms to serve in the armed forces, many women went to work in defense factories, and the rural farm life of Ottawa County was changed.

The mid 1950’s saw a phenomenal growth in eastern Ottawa county as people looked for employment and housing. Jenison became a mix of families. There were families whose great-grand parents were settlers in Jenison, families whose grandparents worked the farms and their own parents who raised their children making a living as "truck farmers" on the rich, black muck. And there were families who grew up in the city, with bus transportation, street lights an d city services on a city lot.

The Jenison Church was filled to its capacity by 1948 and their first daughter church was launched. Trinity Church was organized in 1949. The continued growth of the community caused the First Jenison Christian Reformed Church to again become extremely crowded. "…and there was a desire on some of those attending there to organize a second daughter church.

With this in mind a committee of three men: Mr. John Honderd, Mr. John Huizenga and r. Nickolas Kuipers called on the consistory to ask permission to set in motion the organization of a new congregation. On December 15, 1953, this permission was granted. On December 21 a meeting was held for all those interested, to sign a petition to be presented to the consistory for their approval. Forty heads of households consisting of 160 souls signed the petition. On January 18, 1954, another meeting was held to sign a petition that had to be presented to Classis Grand Rapids South. Forty one families signed with a total of 165 souls. Approval by the Classis was granted. An invitation was extended to members of Hope Christian Reformed Church of Grandville and other interested families to meet with us.

Under the leadership of Rev. Benjamin Essenburg, fifty six families came together on March 25, 1954 and registered on the enrollment records. Elders and Deacons were chosen and our first services were held on April 4, 1954, in the Hudsonville hristian School. This was a busy time for the consistory and the members of the church. A committee was appointed to find a site to build a new church. They had three suitable properties to choose from. The group decided at a congregational meeting on arc h 29, 1954, to purchase the property where the church is located today for $4,800. The land was purchased from Peter Van Dyke and Jacob Van Houten, who were neighbors to the south and the north of the property. Both families were members of the congregation.

"…Lord you have assigned

ME MY PORTION AND MY CUP; YOU HAVE MADE MY LOT SECURE. THE BOUNDARY LINES HAVE FALLEN FOR ME IN PLEASANT PLACES; SURELYI HAVE A DELIGHTFUL INHERITANCE." Psalm 16:5-6

Important committees were appointed for the organization of a new congregation, "Ken Boelema was appointed as the first Sunday School Superintendent. Sunday School and Catechism teachers were chosen and a hundred other chores were completed. The Consistory decided to operate on a free-will offering basis for the balance of 1954."

Many of the charter members of Twelfth Avenue were long time members of Jenison - attended school and church here- and had the vision to start a new congregation for a growing community. They were quickly joined by people from Coopersville, Allendale, Beaverdam, Godwin Heights, Galewood, Southwest and Southeast Grand Rapids and Grandville.

With the fast growth in our community our church grew. "Efforts were soon put forth to acquire a church edifice of our own. June 14, 1954 marked the beginning of our building program with a ground breaking ceremony. First Jenison Christian Reformed Church gave us $10,000.00. Mr. Maynard Vander Wall* was the general contractor for the church building."

Plans for the building of a parsonage were drawn and approved. In the fall of 1954 building was started. "The construction bid was for 18,713.00. This did not include basement wall, cement flatwork, excavating, grading and plumbing." The contractors who were involved in building the parsonage were:

General Contractor-Andy Droge* Henry Koster*
Excavating and grading-John Mulder*
Basement and cement flatwork-Standard Lumber
Rough-in material and windows-Elders Electric
Electrical work and fixtures-Ernie Vander Kolk*
Heating-John Hudson
Lather-Ken Berends
Plasterman-Bont and Sons
Roofer-Nick Jansma
Bricklayers-Griswold
Insulation-Earl Elenbaas*
Trim material and doors- J. Van Zalen and Sons
Painters-Jack Smant
Tile setters-Plummers septic system
Carpenters-Andy Droge* Cliff Brown, Al Decker, Jim Droge, Tom Snyder
Floor sander-finishers

* members of Twelfth Avenue Church

The congregation was flourishing and many activities in society life helped us to know each other better. Services were regularly held and efforts were put forth to secure a pastor of our own."

Our Pastor and his family arrived. Installation of Rev. Henry Vander Kam was held January 28, 1955. Worship services were held in the basement auditorium of the new facility. "Our congregation grew rapidly to about 150 families and in 1956 the congregation increased by 140 members. A larger auditorium was needed. Plans were presented to erect the church edifice and the work was started by the building committee. At a congregational meeting, May 26, 1956 plans were presented and approved for the superstructure-cost not to exceed $75,000."

We who belong to a Jenison congregation in 2004, are grateful to our forefathers who had vision and faith to establish new congregations in this community.

Classis Georgetown now numbers nineteen churches.

Financing for the construction was through a local bank. The $90,000 loan was secured by the signatures of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Besteman, members of the congregation, as the church did not have collateral.

Cornerstone laying ceremonies took place on September29, 1957. Adults and children of the congregation joined together for a time of thanksgiving.

"The consistory relied heavily on the judgment of a building committee for our building program. Minutes details and the overall plans were executed by this able group. The consistory thanks each member for efforts and time spent to build the Lord’s House."

"The interior of our church building was definitely planned so as to place the Word of God, His Holy Bible as the central thought of our worship service. The Bible on the pulpit is visible from all seats in the auditorium."

The sound system was donated by the members of the Philathea society with proceeds "from fund raising projects."

By 1962, the Cadet Counselors felt the need for a separate building to be built on the church parking lot for the expanded Cadet program. Most of the churches in the area constructed cadet buildings to house the wood working tools, building of soap-box derby cars and painting projects.

The counselors received permission from the council to convas the members for donations. During the construction of the walls, a heavy wind storm blew the building down, but the leaders were not discouraged. They reconstructed the damage and completed the building. The original building was constructed with donated materials and labor of at a cost of $4,500.

Our congregation was still growing, both from new families moving into the area and also from within (1959 - 45 baptisms, 1960 - 41 baptisms, 1961 - 42 baptisms.)

As a result of this astonishing growth rate the consistory on August 31, 1959, appointed a committee to study the possibility of organizing a new congregation in Jenison. On September 18, 1960, 41 families of our congregation signified their readiness to organize a new congregation, which became Baldwin Street Christian Reformed Church. Our congregation gave them $20,000.00 to begin their church.

The growth continued and by 1961 we purchased a closed circuit television system to enable the people to see and hear. Each week two pages of names from the church directory were assigned to sit in the basement the next Sunday. An elder was assigned to sit with the group. A deacon passed the offering plate and we sang with hearty voices. The plans were to use the television system only in the morning but by 1962 it became necessary to use it in the evening services also.

Our church had once more grown to the point that a survey was conducted in 1964 to study the possibility of another Jenison congregation. The Ridgewood Church was organized in 1965 and a gift of $20,000.00 was given with the families. In 1964 our congregation numbered 243 families with a total membership of 1102 souls. January 4, 1965 Rev, Vander Kam accepted a call to the Grace Christian Reformed Church in Kalamazoo and we bid farewell to our first pastor and his family.

In January of 1965 the Lord heard our prayers for a new pastor and Rev. John B. Hulst accepted our call. He was installed on March 7, 1965. He served our church faithfully both in the preaching of the Word and a pastor to our youth-now a very large number.

In 1967, the Chancel of the church was remodeled, the cadet building was remodeled and we purchased a Moehler Pipe organ. A committee was appointed to again study the possibility of organizing a new church in the Cottonwood area. Rev. Hulst accepted an appointment to serve as Dean of Students at Dordt College in Sioux Center, Iowa in 1968 and we said farewell to our second pastor.

Rev. Henry Erffmeyer accepted our call and was installed as our pastor in September 1968.

The congregation had once more outgrown its facilities and on October 29, 1969 another meeting was held for the purpose of organizing a new church. This organization was completed and the Cottonwood Heights Church held its first service on July 19, 1970. Sixteen of our families became members of the new congregation and we were able to contribute to their start with a gift of $16,000.00.

After having received permission from the First Christian Reformed Church to organize a new congregation and having been approved by Classis South, an organizational meeting was called for March 25, 1954 at 8 p.m.

This meeting was held in the First Christian Reformed Church of Jenison, Michigan.

The following are the minutes of this meeting:

Minutes of Organizational Meeting Twelfth Avenue Christian Reformed Church

March 25,1954

All families interested in organizing were asked to meet at the above church. After singing of Psalter Hymnal (Red), No. 277 verses 1,2, 4 & 6, (With Joy and Gladness in My Soul), the Rev. Benjamin Essenburg acted as chairman for the evening. The Pastor the read Psalm 122 after which he lead in special prayer in asking God’s guidance in the organizing of a new church. Next we sang the first and last verses of Psalter No. 176 (Zion, Founded on the Mountains.)

The Rev. George Goris representing Classis South and the Hope Christian Reformed Church was then given the opportunity to speak. He read four different parts of Scripture. John 8:31, Acts 1:6, 1 Timothy 3:15 and John 1:3. He spoke very briefly, outlining the essence, the task, the fellowship and the earmarks of a true church. Dr. Goris closed his remarks with a few words of prayer. The chairman then responded with a word of thanks to Dr. Goris after which we sang verse 1 of Psalter No. 390 (The Church’s One Foundation.)

The next speaker was Mr. Langland, representing the Trinity Church which is also a daughter from the First Christian Reformed C hurch of Jenison. He brought the greetings from his church and included in his remarks, he showed the blessings granted the mother church, congratulating them on the wonderful privileges and blessings that were granted for the second time in five years to be instrumental in God’s divine proovidence in the organizing of a new church. He also offered his assistance and the use of Trinity’s facilities to the newly organized church. The Rev. Essenburg then responded with thanks to the speaker.

The Rev. Essenburg then read the number of families which would be represented and el;igible for voting in the newly organized church as follows: 51 from First Jenison; 1 from Godwin; 2 from Trinity; 11 from Hope and 1 from Immanual at Hudsonville. The men from the newly organized congregation were then asked to comed to the front part of the church for the purpose of electing office bearers.

A motion was made and carried to elect four elders and four deacons. Then another motion was made and carried that the two receiving the highest numberf of votes would serve for a term of 3 years, the next one for the term of 2 years, and the smallest number of votes for 1 year.

Voting from open selection then took place with the following results: For elders; Buist and Besteman, 3 years; C. Visser, 2 years and John Huizenga, 1 year. For deacons: John Honderd and Henry Koster, 3 years; Harry Meyer, 2 years and Gerrit Van Vels, 1 year

The next speaker was Rev. Tiettsma of Bauer Christian Reformed Church who spoke briefly on the duties of office bearers using as his text Ephesians 4:1-3 and Isiah 62:7, after which the newly elected office bearers were installed by the Rev. Tietsma.

Mrs.G. Honderd served as organist for the evening.

Surely we had come to the close of a meeting which will live in the memories and minds of all those who attended the beginning of the Twelfth Avenue Christian Reformed Church which name was chosen at a later congregational meeting. God’s name be praised for the many blessings enjoyed at this meeting.

Due to the late hour of the meeting, the Rev. Essenburg thabked all those who attended and took part in the organizing of this church. He asked Dr. Goris to close the meeting with a word of thanksgiving to God for all the blessings enjoyed.

Jacob Besteman

All text that is in italics is added for clarification.

Our total budget for 1957 was $22,670.00 based on 165 families.

Pastors

The first Letter of call from Twelfth Avenue Church was extended to Rev. Henry Vander Kam, November 19, 1954.  His letter of acceptance was joyfully received by the young congregation on December 1, 1954. Rev. Vander Kam wrote
"…we’re very grateful that the council has found us a house to live in and we plan to move at the change of semesters.  Rev. Henry and Elaine Vander Kam arrived with five children, Henry, James David, Terri and Judith. Sunday, January 28, 1955, Rev. Vander Kam was installed.

The "first" pastor for a new congregation had many "first" in his ten years at Twelfth. The laying of the church cornerstone followed by the Dedication Services of the new building on June 27 and 28, 1957, were benchmark celebrations for the new congregation. The Vander Kam children "grew up" at Twelfth Avenue.

January 22, 1965 we gathered to bid farewell to the Vander Kams as they carried their ministry to Grace CRC in Kalamazoo, MI. The farewell verses of the children expressed the feelings of everyone:

"Off to Kalamazoo you go, With your wife and children five That our hearts will go along with you  We’re sure you realize."

A letter of Call was sent to our second pastor on January 4, 1965. Sunday, January 26, 1965, the elder read the letter to the congregation from Rev. Hulst stating his acceptance of our call.  Sunday, March 7, 1965, we welcomed  Rev. John and Louise Hulst and daughters, Mary Jane, Lizbeth Ann, and Susan Gay.  His installation took place at the 7:00 evening service, with Rev. Vander Kam bringing the charge to the congregation.  During the years Rev. Hulst was here, all the babies Rev. Vander Kam baptized grew up to form one of the largest young peoples - young adult groups in the area.

Our first church picture directory was printed in 1967 and included twelve pictures of men in the armed forces.  We bid farewell to the Hulst family on June 27, 1968.  Jack Buys was one of the children who spoke:

"God’s blessing on your work, we ask, Wherever you may be  That in His Grace, your students may bask, And love you just as we."

Rev. Hulst continued his ministry as Dean of Students and President of Dordt College until his retirement in 1996.

Rev. Henry Effmeyer, 1968 - 1981

The first day of July 1968 a Letter of Call was sent to Rev. Henry Erffmeyer and on July 20,1968 we received a reply stating, "…May we look forward with glad anticipation to many blessing which shall be ours through sharing the unsearchable riches of God’s grace together." We welcomed Rev. Henry and Ann Effmeyer and sons Gerald and Paul on September 4, 1968 with a program and reception.  The children welcomed them with these words:

"A pastor, minister and friend You will be all three. A visitor to all the sick. A teacher for youth like me."

The Installation service on Sunday, September 1, 1968 began 13 years and one month of the Erffmeyer ministry among us. The week of his inaugural sermon, Andrew Mulder, and his youngest son, Robert, of our congregation were killed. Rev. Erffmeyer shared sorrow, tragedy and serious circumstances with many members of our congregation. As a congregation we celebrated our 25^th Anniversary March 28, 1979 and his 40^th year in ministry. He introduced us to Faith Promise Offering; our first neighborhood mailing and a new awareness of global outreach. On Sunday, September 27, 1981 we joined to thank the Erffmeyers for serving our congregation and wished them well on their retirement. We were very happy that they would continue worshiping and serving at Twelfth.  Rev. Erffmeyer passed to Glory in 2004.

The Letter of Call to our fourth pastor was sent to Rev. Calvin Bolt on September 21, 1981. The letter was signed by our classis counselor, Rev. Erffmeyer. Rev Bolt accepted the call and was installed in Twelfth Avenue on Sunday, January 10,1982. The installation was postponed one week due to a Midwest blizzard.  Rev. Calvin and Arlene Bolt, Cindy and Jeff were welcomed with a coffee on the first Sunday evening. Rev. Bolt served on the Board of Reformed Bible College and CRC World Mission and he encouraged the first of our work crews to construct a school in Cristo Rey in the Dominican Republic. His focus to our neighbor resulted in a Coffee Break/Story Hour program and later Men’s Life.  The Bolts were active in these ministries. Our fourth and fifth congregation picture directories were published in 1982 and 1987.  Rev Calvin Bolt became ill in early 1997 and after nine months, he passed into glory on September 17, 1997.   His wife and daughter, Arlene and Cindy continue to minister in Coffee Break/Story Hour and have remained active in our church.

On December 7, 1997 a call was extended to our present pastor, Rev. Laryn Zoerhofof the First Highland IN Church. January 11, 1998 our pastor accepted the call and plans were made to move at the close of the school year. Pastor Laryn and Leta, Lauren and Lane moved to Jenison in early June.  The installation service was held on June 21, 1998 with Rev. Henry Erffmeyer reading the formulary, Rev. Garret Stoutmeyer, the charge to the pastor; Rev. Henry Van Wyk the charge to the congregation and Rev. Duane Van Loo, brother-in-law of Pastor Laryn, brought the message.   Pastor Laryn’s vision for "community" continues with the monthly "Neighbor to Neighbor" mailing.  Pastor Laryn and Leta serve in leadership at Men’s Life and Coffee Break/Story Hour and in Summer Fun on the parking lot. He serves as the Stated Clerk of Classis Georgetown.  Pastor Laryn encourages a personal relationship with Christ as he preaches the Word and challenges us to be a witness in our daily lives.

Rev. Henry Van Wyk, 1990 -

Rev. Henry and Marilyn Van Wyk retired from the Lee Street Christian Reformed Church in Wyoming, MI in 1989. Rev. Van Wyk served congregation in Luverne, MN; Fourth Roseland, Chicago, Ill; Hillcrest, Hudsonville, Drenthe, MI; and Lee Street.  In 1990, the council called Rev. Van Wyk as pastor of visitation at Twelfth Avenue. Sunset Association added two additions, condo developments multiplied and the visitation of shut-ins, widows and widowers presented many opportunities for ministry.  Rev. Henry and Marilyn have spent countless hours ministering  In hospitals, nursing homes and home visits.

The preaching of the Word is the Foundation of our Worship, our Word is through Music.

The first meeting of the Choir was held on February 13, 1955 with Mr. Walkotten as director. An offering was taken at each rehearsal to pay the director and to purchase the music. The minutes of the Choral Society record "the director was paid $10. For each practice, $5. For each performance. April 15, 1956 the offering was $5.60, the council voted to give $40. To help with expenses."

The Choir held many fund-raisers to purchase the choir robes in 1956. A Home-talent program on Thanksgiving Day, a Book Review and an auction that brought in $184.60 were held to purchase the robes. The first robes were taupe, trimmed in gold. The first Easter Cantata the Choir wore robes borrowed from Lee Street Church. New blue robes/white stole were purchased March 29, 1987.

Roll call was taken each meeting and a delinquent committee was appointed in 1957 to call members who missed 2-3 times. Detailed minutes (including the roll call) were recorded by the secretary from 1955 - 1990; a list of the music used in worship services from 1955 - 2004.

Combined Choir concerts of the six Jenison CRC churches were held every spring from 1972 - 1983. 1977 the concert was presented to a full house at Knollcrest Fine Arts Center and Ascension Day in 1982 and 1983 at the Jenison High School auditorium.

Twelfth Avenue Choir cut a "vinyl-78 hi-fidelity record" of their Psalm Sunday program April 10, 1960.

Idelle Wagner has directed the group since September 1987. The choir is now funded through our general budget. The Choir continues to serve, rehearsing every Sunday "from September into May" and fulfilling Article 1 and VIII of the original purpose. The Choir enriches our worship, lifts our thoughts and inspires us a we celebrate the church seasons with beautiful music and praise.

Quotes from the 1955

Choir constitution

Article 1 Purpose of the choir is the singing of praise to the Glorification of God and to the edification of the church.

Article VIII The normal choir season shall begin in September and continue into May.