History of Hope

The following are excerpts taken from Our Heritage of Hope from 1872-1985 by Alonzo Wierenga. A complete copy of this book is available to borrow from the church library.

Introduction * The Story of the Bell * Early Church Meeting * New Name * Parsonage Puchased * New Buildings * New Addition * 1980

Introduction

“As our consistory had no business of importance we did not start to write our minutes until August 23, 1872. At that time we had a congregational meeting.”

These two sentences introduce the first official minutes of our Hope Reformed Church here in South Haven, Michigan.

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The Story of the Bell

In the entryway next to the church office is a large bronze bell. It is encased in a plate glass box, but it is enshrined in the hearts of those who answered its call to divine services. It hung in the belfry of the church on Green Street from about 1888 to1952. When the tower was taken down and a new one built, the bell was stored.

The gymnasium and its surrounding rooms were added to the church building on Monroe Boulevard and dedicated April 22, 1979. At that time four mementos were ready for display: framed photos of all pastors; the wood carved crest of the Reformed Church in America; framed copy of a brief history of the church; and the old bell. Mr. L. VandenTak built the base and bell hanger and Mr. T. Renner donated a plate glass container.

The church records give no information about the presentation of installation of the church bell, but Mr. D. Lam, and elder and member from 1928-1944 left this account. “…the bell was a gift from Mr. Hannah, a local lumber dealer. It had been used as a dinner bell on an old steamer.”

Further, Mr. Lam states, “Mr. E.L. Keasey (not a member of the church) told me that he had witnessed the moving of the bell from the steamer Huron to the church. It was in the year of 1938 that he gave me the following account of this work.”

“It is about 50 years ago that I took part in the moving of the bell from the old steamer to the main road. The bell had not been used for many years because the steamer was not seaworthy anymore on account of old age. It was anchored on the north side of Black River. In the course of time, the old vessel had sunk deep and only the upper deck was above water. It was difficult to dislodge the bell from its housing, but his problem was only the beginning of their troubles. The pathway leading from the steamer to the main road was marshy all the way. Both men and bell had to have a solid path to bring the bell to the main road. They made a temporary boardwalk out of lumber on hand and a sled form the bell. By this means they reached solid ground.”

The problems encountered in the installation in the church tower must have seemed minor compared to their joy when the bell pealed out is invitation to worship. No doubt, present members will hear it toll at some special event in the future.

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Early Church Meeting

How shall we characterize the life of the church during these long years? Growth was made difficult by several factors. An ethnic group, using its own Dutch language, in a community that did not attract many of their background, severely limited their financial ability to support an organized church. With yearly budgets in the $30 to $40 range, the church building and parsonage could not be maintained properly. Our experience today has shown that an attractive building and a good parsonage leads to worthwhile programs and consequent growth in membership. How severe the local problems were is illustrated in the following, extracted from the old Dutch minutes. But from it all we must conclude that dedicated, strong Christian faith always triumphs.

A Grand Valley Classical committee made up of the Reverend Evert Troost from Kalamazoo and the Reverend Van Arendonk from Grand River came to South Haven for a congregational meeting on February 9, 1914. They were ordered to study the entire program and evaluate the future possibilities of the First Reformed Church. This committee had the power to dissolve the church. At the meeting the clerk was asked how many communicant members there were. His reply was, “One elder, two decans, and two more for a total of five men. There are also six women, three of whom are widows. This makes a total of eight families.” When Reverend Troost asked if the congregation should continue as a church, Lein Benacker, and elder and the clerk, spoke for the group. He asked that, “the people, under a blessing God, be allowed in peace to go forward”. Because of the good spirit they found among the people, no further action was taken to dissolve the congregation. The official minutes of the meeting are brief, but careful consideration of them must lead to the conclusion that the two ministers, on whom the future of the congregation depended, were motivated by spiritual concerns more than by the physical and business aspects of the church.

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New Name

At the September 5, 1945 congregational meeting changing the church name was discussed. It was decided to send a questionnaire to members so they could all express their views. On November 5, 1945 the name was changed from First Reformed Church to Hope Reformed Church. At this meeting it was also voted to increase the number of elders and deacons to three, each with three year terms. The number of members voting was 24.

In 1948 interest began in building a new church. A committee was formed to investigate possible sites. In December 1949 action was taken, instead, to enlarge the present structure and to purchase an organ. The building at that time was insured for $13,000. By March 1950 the building committee, under the chairmanship of George Braschler presented floor plans, and Ed Vander Zee reported on financial planning. It was also decided to off the Hamilton (Michigan) Church $500 for their pipe organ and annex, as they were completing a new building. In May the extra lumber in the annex was sold to John Braschler for $100. The organ was dismantled and stored until it could be installed in the new addition. This remains today in the Green Street building. It is in good condition and retains its beautiful tonal qualities. Its capabilities were not fully realized until John Bright became organist in September, 1965.

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Parsonage Purchased

For years the church had been renting local homes as parsonages. There was a growing interest in owning their own building, so a committee was appointed to investigate what could be purchased. Several places were evaluated. At the October 29, 1956 congregational meeting a report was recessed and the members visited the property. Following that they voted 31 to2 to purchase the home. The price was $12,500. With funds on hand and a further loan from the Vriesland Church a down payment of $3,500 was made. At 5% interest all felt that it would be possible to meet the $65 monthly mortgage payments.

Facing a period of vacancy, the Kalamazoo Classis gave approval for a summer student to act as temporary pastor. Lawrence Veenstra, a senior at Western Seminary was designated. At the December 5, 1956 congregational meeting he was given the promise of a call which he accepted. The parsonage was improved in preparation of the Veenstra’s move. The formal installation was June 26, 1957.

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New Buildings

The building committee gave serious study to several pieces of real estate. In January 1966 they evaluated the property at the south-east corner of Lovejoy and Monroe Boulevard. A special congregational meeting was called and Mr. Don Smith, chairman of the committee, called on members to report: Gordon Nienhuis on the needs of new parsonage and Sunday School space, George Braschler on other properties studied, Lou Rodenhouse on growth the last 20 years, Al Swart explained how the property could be purchased, Dale Lewis reported results of a survey of neighbors in the area, Ed VanderZee reviewed the location and accessibility, Alonzo Wierenga reviewed the congregational giving the past years.

A motion to purchase Lot 19 was adopted by a 45 to 5 vote. In March it was purchased at the price of $17,500.

Harold VanderBee, an architect from Holland, redrew the house plans so the rooms were reversed which was better in our location. By October, plans were ready and after reviewing bids, John Drenth, a South Haven builder, was authorized to build the parsonage on a cost and material basis not the exceed $35,000. By summer of 1967 more funds were allowed to complete the driveway, patio, sidewalks, sodding, and shrubs. Pastor Kleinheksel and family moved in on September 1, 1967. At the December congregational meeting its cost was given as $45,235.16 and the committee given a vote of thanks.

The Kalamazoo Classis had given permission to sell the old church property. To the east of that building was a sizeable lot where in years past the parsonage had stood. This was purchased as it added room for parking and thus enhanced property value and helped in the sale later.

When Rev. John Kleinheksel left in 1969, the church was without a minister for a little over a year. During that time several ministers were interviewed and asked to lead services. Calls were issued in May 1970 Rev. John R. Staat accepted our invitation and began his ministry with us on June 1, 1970.

Church activities were in full swing, but the building committee willingly accepted a great challenge. Architects were engaged to draw up plans for a new church building; Classis gave approval for a sale of the Green Street property; it also allowed us to borrow money for construction and agreed to give us $15,000 over a five year period. Members were visited and building fund pledges were made. In May 1969 the congregation approved plans.

LaMar Construction Company of Holland, Michigan was given the contract and ground breaking ceremonies were held August 3, 1970. Middlebury Church Furniture Company contracted for pulpit furniture and pews. A 15-rand Reuter pipe organ at $25,900 was ordered for delivery in 13 months. By the middle of December the masonry work, steeple and windows were completed.

The corner stone ceremony was held April 4, 1971 and the church dedicated on June 20, 1971. In November, the mortgage of $190,000 included $30,000 for the pipe organ and parking lot blacktopping.

The lot to the east of the Green Street property was purchased at a State Land Auction for $600 in May 1972 and the old church and lot were sold to Don Lykins for $24,000.

Finishing the lower level of the new building was not included in the general contract. Members of the congregation gave generously and donated much labor. Thus, the room ceilings, walls, and painting were completed; carpet donated and laid; kitchen cupboards and counters designed and constructed and equipment installed. It was said in Nehemiah’s day “the people had a will to work”, and it certainly was true at Hope Church, also.

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New Addition

Scarcely two years after the new building was dedicated (June 20, 1971), a need was evident for more Sunday School rooms. Also, space was desired for Junior and Senior RCYF (Reformed Church Youth Fellowship) meetings and activities. Dividers were placed in some larger rooms. Thought was given to the Fellowship Hall, but dividers were considered impractical. Plans for a building behind the parsonage at a cost of $7,650 was considered but rejected. On March 6, 1976, the consistory advised the Executive Committee to begin exploratory research on building expansion. An Expansion Committee was formed and on November 8, 1976, it was authorized to spend $500 for preliminary drawings by Spapert, Pratt & Sprau, architects from Kalamazoo. At a November 15 congregational meeting these plans were reviewed and the committee given a vote of thanks. Thereupon a Building Committee was designated with Charles Henry as chairman, and members James Vander Kolk, George Braschler, Leon Assink, David deBest, Mabelle Kooy, Betty Matthews, Glenn Pietenpol, and Barbara Wiggers. They were charged with the studying of various plans and to report to the consistory. Thus, plans were underway for yet another building project.

The building committee had plans prepared by architects Tower-Pinkster Associates of Kalamazoo so the people could study them and make suggestions. BY September, bids were received from contractors and at the October 11, 1977 congregational meeting an addition to the present building was approved. The cost was not to exceed $350,000. It is interesting to note that 83% of the voters were in favor of the motion, well over the 2/3 majority that they had set for themselves.

Work was begun on sight improvement and construction. By August 1978, most of the steel was up and roof scheduled for the next phase. Completion date was set for November 15, 1978. During the next months, the members were busy getting the building ready for use. Individuals, groups, and organizations gave funds, materials, furniture, and labor generously. Rooms needed painting, flooring, drapes, blackboards, bulletin boards, chairs and tables. The youth rooms were fitted with a kitchen; the choir room with closets for robes; an office for the Minister of Music was completed; a large storage room was located under the rear roof; offices were completed and furnished with desks and office machines. The entry was decorated with photos of former minister, church history, RCA coat of arms, and the bell from the old church. Coat racks were placed in several places. Thus, the bare rooms were transformed to places of beauty and utility by loving, generous, and cooperative Christian members.

Additional personnel had been hired during these years which included Dave and Elaine deBest as Custodians; Jean Otto as Program Coordinator; and various Church secretaries – Norma Nienhuis, Sharon Schnake and Marylin Bright.

The Publicity Committed issued news releases. Dedication took place on April 22, 1979. The General Synod President of the Reformed Church in America, the Reverend Harvey Hoekstra gave the address titled “God’s Secret and Christian Education.” Recognition was given to the Building Committee, the architects, contractors and bankers.

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1980

From the minutes of 1980, several items can be mentioned briefly that speak of spiritual and physical growth. Due to large Sunday morning attendance, brought on by summer visitors plus increased membership, additional seating capacity was needed. Two morning services seemed the most practical way of solving this problem. Two new pews were added to the front of the sanctuary and one behind the glass partition. An organ fund was established with the intention of adding two more ranks. A committee was set up to consolidate all the memorial funds. Name tags for members and temporary ones for visitors were provided to assist in getting acquainted. Extension and black topping of the parking lot added greatly to the parking convenience. Honorariums for visiting ministers were increased ($45 for morning service, $35 for evening and $.17 for mileage.)

On May 8, 1980, Mr. Donald Brinks, president of Classis, former member of our church and son of our Mr. Ed Brinks, and Mr. Charles Kleinhuizen, both elders from Kalamazoo, visited with the consistory and Reverend Kruithof respectively as a review team of the Classis. This program, instituted by the Classis for all churches, has as its purpose the establishment of solidarity of relations between the pastor and his congregation. The writer recalls, with pleasure, the fine reports that Hope Church received.

The year 1980, as well as former years, showed continued support for benevolences. This general term means support for such things as missionaries, General Program Council, colleges and seminaries, Synod expansion, Words of Hope, church camps, Classis activities, Bible societies, and a number of other activities. The budget for these exceeded $22,000.

The pastor’s annual report related the following: Thirty-two members were added, 10 baptized, bringing families to 160. Youth Club attendance topped the 100 mark with some 50 adults helping. Junior and Senior RCYFs were active. The women sponsored many fine projects and the consistory expanded to 16 members. In December, 235 were served communion.

On November, 10, 1980, a very significant action took place in the 108 year history of the church. A woman was elected to the office of elder. This honor went to Mrs. Phyllis Rodenhouse.

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last updated 4/10/05