First Presbyterian Church of Holland Michigan (PCUSA)

We extend a special thank you to Shirley Weersing for writing the 1958 – 2003 portion of this historical report!

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FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, HOLLAND, MICHIGAN

HISTORY 1958-2008

IN THE BEGINNING

By the fall of 1957 the First Methodist Church in Holland had reached a membership of nearly 1,000. There was much discussion there calling for building an educational unit for more Sunday School classrooms and other activities with a cost of between $150,000 and $225,000. It was necessary to hold two morning worship services, and some members felt it would be better to build a second church in a different location. In October Al and Lois Kane called on Bill and Florence Vandenberg regarding planning the building of a new church. After some discussion they drew up a petition stating their belief that Methodism could better be served through organizing a second church rather than enlarging the present facilities. There was enough support to bring the petition to the attention of church officials. Under the guidance of the Methodist minister, the Rev. John O. Hagans, a canvass was made of the area for a suitable site for the second church. The site chosen was the E. C. Brooks property. Following inspection by the chairman of the Methodist District Committee of Church Extension it was recommended to take an option on the property. A deposit of $500 secured the option.

The movement toward a second church had now developed into about 30 families, and there seemed reason to believe the effort would receive the approval and sponsorship of all concerned. On March 8, 1958, a meeting was held to discuss the new church and to come to a decision regarding its organization. However, the District Board of Church Extension decided to postpone the church for two years. This was disappointing to the group, and on March 10 the following families got together to take action: Morris and Estelle DeVries, Willis and Marguerite Haight, LaVern and Margaret Bensinger, Walter and Dorothy Burke, Eldred and Ethel Sincock, Bert and Helene Huizenga, Melvin and Florence Kail, Alfred and Lois Kane, Clarence and Hazel Parker, Earl and Harriet Ragains, LaVern and Edla Rudolph and William C. and Florence Vandenberg, Sr. Morris DeVries called Dr. Frederick Wyngarden, Minister of Westminster Church in Grand Rapids and outlined to him what had happened. Mr. DeVries then asked Dr. Wyngarden if there was a possibility of organizing a Presbyterian church in Holland. Dr. Wyngarden, who was chairman of the Committee for National Missions and Church Extension for the Presbytery of West Michigan, said he would be happy to be of any service possible. It soon became known, too, that there were Presbyterians in this area–homeless, so to say–who were attending or had joined other denominations.

It was at the next meeting at the home of the Kails that those present met with Dr. Wyngarden and laid the foundation for a Presbyterian church. An ad was run to announce plans and welcome all interested. The first worship service was scheduled for Sunday, March 15, 1958, in the E. C. Brooks house, which was under option for purchase. Dr. Wyngarden preached at this first service.

A steering committee was formed to implement and complete the organization and consisted of Melvin Kail, Morris DeVries, Bob Jacobusse, William C. Vandenberg, Sr., LaVern Rudolph, Eldred Sincock and Walter Burke. They met several times with Dr. Robert V. Woods from Synod and other officials of the Presbyterian Church to plan the future of the fledgling congregation. The State Street property, which was under option, was purchased immediately after the first meeting.

Discussion regarding the name of the new church produced three possibilities: First, State Street and Westminster. After the balloting the name chosen was The First Presbyterian Church. Immediately a petition carrying 100 signatures was sent to West Michigan Presbytery asking that a Presbyterian Church be organized and constituted in Holland. The Presbytery was to meet on June 9 and 10, and it was expected that the proposal would pass. Organizational day was set for June 29, 1958. The church was incorporated on June 26, 1958.

A children’s program was soon organized with a youth budget adopted to guide the young people in the way of systematic giving. LaVern Rudolph made benches and tables for the nursery. Morris DeVries and Earl Ragains directed Christian education and classes began in June. Bob Jacobusse was Sunday School Superintendent. The first choir was a junior choir led by Emily Sincock and Salli Vanderbeek.

Much of the alteration, maintenance and custodial work was done by volunteers to make the house a suitable church home, but so much had to be done it would be impossible to list all those who gave time and labor to the church.