First Christian Reformed Church Zeeland, Michigan The church was organized 1 April 1862 with people, fifteen years after the founding of Zeeland by a group led by Rev. C. VanderMeulen and Mr. J. VandeLuyster. Originally they were a branch of the Christian Reformed Church of Noordeloos. They first met in a log house on the corner of Cherry and Church Streets with Elder Jan Rabbers reading the service. In December, 1858, they requested permission to be organized and were refused. The Noordeloos church was not centrally located causing difficulty in attending services. A decision had to be made – move the Noordeloos building or erect a new building in Zeeland. So in 1862 permission was granted for a new church in Zeeland with Rev. K. VandenBosch serving both congregations for two years. A small church was built on Main Street and a parsonage purchased. Rev. J. Stadt was the first pastor. In 1878 a new brick church was erected and an addition needed for it in 1899. A gallery was added in 1911. This church building served the congregation until 1950. Third Christian Reformed Church, a daughter church, was formed as an English congregation. Then in 1949 another church organized from First Zeeland and is called Bethel Christian Reformed Church.