When in the year 1857 the Christian Reformed denomination was founded, the church at Eastmanville (then known as the Polkton Church) was one of the first churches to join the movement that prompted the organization of our denomination.

However, the existence of the Polkton Christian Reformed Church was of very short duration. In less than one year this congregation apparently returned to the Dutch Reformed denomination.

But in the fall of 1883, there arose a dispute in this Polkton Reformed Church about the location of the new church building to be erected. One faction wished to have the new building on the old site, namely, two miles south of Coopersville, or one mile east and one mile north of Eastmanville. Another faction wished to have the new church in Coopersville, while still another group desired Eastmanville for the site of the new church. But when the church was actually built in Coopersville, those who were dissatisfied went to the consistory of the Lamont Christian Reformed Church with the request, either to be organized as an independent Christian Reformed Church of Eastmanville, or to be admitted as a branch of the Lamont congregation, located at Eastmanville.

This request was sent through by the Lamont consistory to the Classis of Grand Rapids, and this body advised that Eastmanville be organized as a new congregation, but that it should combine with Lamont, and be served by one pastor.

Accordingly, on 19 May 1884, the Eastmanville Christian Reformed Church was organized. The committee of the Classis to effect the organization consisted of the brethern, Rev. H. J. Vos and Rev. L. J. Hulst. The first meeting was held in the present church building which at that time belonged to the Congregationalist people. About eleven families joined the new church. The office bearers who were elected and duly installed at this meeting were, elders: P. Wolt and J. Bolhuis, and deasons: M. Sietsema and A. VanderPloeg.

On that same day Eastmanville submitted to the Lamont consistory the following proposal for combination. It promised to pay $100.00 to the salary of the minister at Lamont, provided he would be in Eastmanville for ten Sundays in each year. But Lamont refused this offer.
However, in the meantime, the little flock at Eastmanville was acceptably served by the exhorter, Brother J. Dragt. But soon after the organization, this able man moved away, and the new congregation had to be satisfied with reading services, and the occasional visits of ministers from the Classis and students from the Theological School.

During the years 1884 to 1895, the congregation was engaged in a continual struggle for existence. Several efforts were made to combine with Lamont, but they all met with no success. Yet, although slowly, nevertheless the congregation grew steadily. The Lord was preserving His Church, and was not withholding His blessings.

In the year 1893, three efforts were put forth to obtain a pastor or our own. But all the extended calls were promptly declined, and it seemed as if then the congregation lost courage.
However, in the meantime, Lamont also was vacant for a long time, and this encouraged Eastmanville to urgently request Lamont once more to combine with it. The reasons given were: 1. The burden to support a pastor of our own is too great, and 2. The youth is being sorely neglected if we continue in this way. At that time the Lamont consistory favored the combination, but the congregation there still refused.

However, in 1895, the two churches finally combined. This was largely due to the efforts of Rev. J. Post, who refused the call from Lamont unless it would unite with Eastmanville. On the 15th of April of that year a double congregational meeting was held at Lamont, and it was unanimously decided to combine, and on May 15th a double consistory meeting drew up the articles of agreement for both churches. It was decided that each church should pay one-half of the minister's salary, consisting of $600.00 and 24 cords of hard wood. The Home Mission Fund was to grant $100.00 subsidy. The pastor was to live in Lamont, since Eastmanville had no parsonage. Eastmanville was to pay $20.00 house rent a year. A trio was made out of which Rev. J. Post was elected.

He came in August, 1896, and remained until 1900. During those five years both churches were set on their feet. In Eastmanville ten made confession of faith. On 11 March 1896, the congregation was legally incorporated. The notary public who functioned was Mr. Simon Leiffers.

After Rev. Post left the agreement between Lamont and Eastmanville was dissolved, and our church was vacant for two years. During that time a parsonage was built.
In 1902 Rev. F. J. Drost came to us and labored here until November, 1905. He was a humble servant of God, yet very strict, especially in the matter of Christian discipline. Only one confession was made during these years.

The next pastor to serve the church was the nestor of the Christian Reformed denomination, the Rev. L. J. Hulst. He came in October, 1906, and labored among us until September, 1910, when he was compelled by ill healthy to ask for his emeritation at the age of 85 years. Rev. Hulst's pastorate was very peaceful. He was particularly well fit to removed troubles in the congregation, and he was also an able teacher and an organizer of societies. During his time a Men's Society was organized. Seven made confession of faith. Rev. Hulst was also the first minister to preach in the County Infirmary.

After this the church was vacant for one year, until in November, 1811, Candidate H. Oostendorp accepted the call extended to him. Soon after his coming the agitation for a church building of our own began. At first it was suggested to buy the building of the Methodist Church. But, the price asked was considered too high. Then, on 2 September 1912, the consistory decided to propose to the congregation the building of a new church, north of the parsonage. However, this proposal was modified at the congregation meeting, and a motion was carried "to build a new church provided we could not do better by buying the Congregational Church building." The result was that on 20 September 1912, our present edifice was bought for $1,100.00. It was also decided to improve the newly bought church.
Rev. Oostendorp did much for our church. During his stay of three years a Sunday School was organized and thirteen made confession of faith. He left in 1914.

After a vacancy of seven months, Rev. J. Wyngaarden came to us in June, 1915, who stayed until the spring of 1918, when his work as Army Chaplain at Camp Custer induced him to accept the call from Walker. The coming of Rev. Wyngaarden and his musical family brought new life into the church. Especially the Young People's Society flourished. Eight made confession of faith. Rev. Wyngaarden also did much to Americanize our church. After his departure it was decided to have one Dutch and one English service each Lord's day. Also during Rev. Wyngaarden's stay the River Bridge was built. This was a great help for our church, especially for the people who lived across the river.

Again the church was vacant for one year. But in June, 1919, Candidate G. Goris came to us. He was a forceful speaker, and his brief labors in our midst were signally blessed. No less thatn twenty-eight made confession of faith. Rev. Goris left in June, 1921.

This time the church was not vacant very long. For already in July, 1921, Candidate B. H. Spalink was called with an unanimous vote. Also his work was greatly blessed and appreciated. During his stay, the beautiful room in the basement was made and furnished, and Mission work was done in the neighborhood, and a Mission /Society was organized. Fifteen made confession of faith. Rev. Spaling left in May, 1924.

His place was filled in October, 1924, by Rev. H. Dykhouse. He was a diligent and sincere worker, and in an unassuming way he has done constructive work in our church. During his stay the debt of the church was wiped out, and for the first time in its history our church became selt-supporting. It is unfortunate that the continued depression made it necessary to ask for subsidy again in 1931. Rev. Dykhouse left in May, 1929. Twelve had made confession of faith.

Since September, 1929, our present pastor, Rev. A. Persenaire, has been laboring in our midst. Not much need be said about the history of the last five years, except perhaps that in 1929 the church obtained a pipe organ.

The only surviving charter-member of our church was Mrs. A. VanderPloeg. However, it pleased the Lord to take her out of our midst last Friday, June 8th.
The following brethern have served as consistory members.

Elders: J. Bolhuis, P. Wolt, J. VandenBerge, J. Voshol, H. Sietsema, Wm DeVries, H. VanWieren, F. Hoeksema, C. Nipe, C. Braamse, P. Miedema, H. Kooistra, N. Lantinga, G. J. Oostenbroek, A. Dyksterhouse, J. Lieffers, N. DePender, G. Geertsma, P. VanderPloeg, O. Sietsema, H. Lieffers.

Deacons: A. Vanderploeg, F. Hoeksema, M. Sietsema, L. Schippers, W. Proper, J. Bos, A. Klooster, C. Voshol, G. Handlogten, J. Schreevenstein, P. Wallinga, S. Lieffers, H. meerman, H. Wallinga, L. H. Schippers, P. Leiffes, Wm Meerman, J. Veltman, B. Meerman, J. Kulikamp, J. B. Brinks, H. Schippers, B. Groenink, A. Wolma, H. Westenberg, L. Wallinga, M. Rotman, L. DeNeff.

The Lord has greatly blessed our church in the past fifty years. If we consider that two other churches in Eastmanville had to disband, we have many reasons to thank God that our church has been able to continue.

As to the future, "Our help is in the name of the Lord who made heaven and earth." With His blessing we hope to forge ahead, and even though through circumstances we shall not grow much numerically, may we prosper spiritually. May the Lord bless us and help us. "Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto they name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake." (Psalm 115:1)

Eastmanville Church Will Celebrate Semi-Centennial
(Coopersville Observer, 8 June 1934)

The Eastmanville Christian Reformed church will hold its Semi-Centennial celebration next Thursday, June 14. Meeting will be held in the afternoon at two o'clock, and in the evening at eight o'clock. All former pastors who are still living are expected to be present. All former members and also other friends, are hereby cordially invited to celebrate with us. A lawn supper will be served at 5:30 at the parsonage.

The pastors who have served the church during the fifty years of its existence are the following: The Reverends > Post (who also served the Lamont congregation), F. Drost, L. J. Hulst, H. Oostendorp, J. wyngarden, S. Goris, B. H. Spalink and H. Dykhouse. The first three named have passed on to their eternal reward; the others are still in the active service, except Rev. Wyngarden, who is retired and is now a member of the church. Rev. A. Persenaire is the present pastor.