Our History

The History of Calvin Christian Reformed Church

Major Timeline:

• First Worship Service in Calvin College Chapel: October 20, 1946
• Dedication of Church Building at Ethel and Franklin: December 1, 1955
• 50^th Anniversary Celebration: October, 1996
• Dedication of Church Expansion: November 18, 2001

Staff History

• Pastoral Staff:
  • Rev. Clarence Boomsma, 1948-1983
  • Rev. Warren Boer, 1970-1973
  • Rev. Jacob Heerema, 1974-1981
  • Rev. Joel Boot, 1983-1992
  • Rev. Harvey Kiekover, 1985-1994
  • Rev. Edward Laarman, 1985-1992
  • Rev. Scott Hoezee, 1993-2005
  • Rev. Robert Koornneef, 1997-present
  • Rev. Lora Copley, 2006-present
• Non-pastoral Ministry Staff:
  • Chris Walter, 1994-1995
  • Brian Turnbull, 1995-1999
  • Cindy VanderKodde, 1997-2001
  • Curt Kuiper, 2000-2003
  • Ken Vander Ploeg, 2002-2005
  • Amy Trifan, 2003-2007
  • Char Bulthius, 2007-present

Historical Narrative

After World War II, returning servicemen took advantage of the GI Bill and flooded colleges around the country. Calvin College, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, was no exception. As a result, Christian Reformed Churches on the southeast side of the city were overwhelmed with new student members. So, in the fall of 1946, extension worship services began to be held in the Calvin College Chapel on Franklin Street. Within a few months it became clear that a whole new congregation could be formed. Comprised of Calvin College students, as well as 57 families who came from surrounding congregations, Calvin Christian Reformed Church held its first services on October 20, 1946.

In 1947 the congregation's search for its first pastor concluded with a call to Clarence Boomsma, who at the time was serving his first congregation in Imlay City, Michigan. Boomsma accepted the call and began his work in January 1948, launching a pastorate that would last for thirty-five years! During the congregation's first few years, Boomsma led the effort to construct a large church facility a few blocks from the Calvin College campus. Featuring a sanctuary that could comfortably seat up to 800 people, a large downstairs fellowship hall, and many classrooms, the new Calvin CRC was dedicated on December 1, 1955.

With the Calvin College campus just a short distance away, Calvin Church remained very much "the church of the college" through the late 1960s, growing to become one of the largest congregations in the denomination with over 1,400 members by 1967. During the 1970s, Rev. Boomsma was assisted by associate pastors, including Rev. Warren Boer and Rev. Jake Heerema. With the move of Calvin College to the Knollcrest campus, miles away, membership at Calvin CRC began to gradually decline throughout this period. The distance from the college campus now meant fewer students attended and the college's faculty also began to join other congregations. In 1983 Rev. Boomsma retired after a long and distinguished ministry. The Council decided this was an opportune time to reconfigure the staff, replacing Boomsma with three pastors. Rev. Joel Boot became the church's preaching pastor in February 1984, Rev. Harvey Kiekover was called in June of 1985 as the pastor of congregational life, and Rev. Edward Laarman became the youth and education pastor in September 1985.

Membership continued to decline throughout the mid- to late-1980s. During this period Calvin Church would see nearly a third of its families depart. Nonetheless, under the leadership of Boot, Kiekover, and Laarman, the ministries of Calvin Church continued. Youth and education programs flourished and new programs of congregational care were instituted. Rev. Kiekover was instrumental in establishing the new Stephen Ministry program, which had begun just prior to his installation, and Rev. Boot continued the Calvin Church tradition of a recognizably Reformed worship service characterized by a regular order of worship, traditional sacred music, and excellent preaching. Mrs. Shirley Boomsma, who served as the church organist from the late 1940s until September 1993, led the music ministry.

In the early 1990s, the congregation underwent further transition. Between 1992 and 1994, all three pastors took calls to other places. The Council once again faced the task of assessing the makeup of the ministry staff. For the short term, it was decided to have just two pastors: one to lead preaching and administration and another to oversee pastoral care. In mid-1993 Rev. Scott Hoezee accepted the call to be Minister of Preaching and Administration. Hoezee was installed on September 12 and served with distinction as preaching pastor for nearly 12 years. Harvey Kiekover continued his service as pastor of congregational life until 1994, when he accepted a call to become the chaplain for the Holland Home retirement communities.

A retired minister, Rev. John Medendorp, served two years as an interim pastor, faithfully calling on the sick and homebound. In April 1997 Rev. Robert Koornneef accepted the church's call to be Minister of Congregational Life. Pastor Bob brought considerable skills to this job, having been in charge for many years of the bereavement division of Hospice. Rev. Koornneef retired from full-time ministry in November 2005, but continues to serve the congregation in a half-time capacity as Minister of Pastoral Care, focusing on elderly and homebound members. A search was initiated in fall 2005 for a full-time Minister of Congregational Life. The duties of this position would continue many of those of the previous Minister of Congregational Life, while adding responsibilities for outreach, evangelism, and program development. In January 2006 the congregation called Lora Copley to this position.

In May of 2005, Scott Hoezee accepted an offer to serve as the Director for the Center for Excellence in Preaching at Calvin Theological Seminary. The congregation is currently searching for a Minister of Preaching and Administration.

Calvin Church has always placed great value on its youth and education programs. During 1994 and 1995, Chris Walter coordinated youth and education programs on a part-time basis. He was followed by seminarian Brian Turnbull, who worked from the summer of 1995 until June 1999. Curt Kuiper led our youth and education programs for about three years. When he left in 2003 the congregation decided to hire a full-time person to oversee youth and education. Amy Trifan was hired in 2003 and continues in that role to the present time.

From early on in its history, Calvin Church has seen itself as a "Ministry Center" to the community. As an example, the Family Assistance program is one of the city's premiere clothing ministries. In the late-1980s other programs of outreach also began. The growth of Neighbors Night and tutoring programs resulted in the church's hiring of a half-time coordinator of outreach. Cindy Vander Kodde began this work in the fall of 1997. Under her leadership, these programs saw rapid growth, and several new programs for neighborhood youth and single teen mothers were started as well. Cindy left in 2001 and Calvin Church was fortunate to have seminary intern Ken VanderPloeg oversee these outreach programs for three years.

Although Calvin Church has undergone many changes in its 50+ year history, worship services continue to closely follow the Reformed tradition, emphasizing preaching and traditional forms of music. The congregation continues to recognize Calvin Church's unique placement in the Eastown neighborhood and the challenges and opportunities that presents for our mission. The building expansion project, which doubled the church's size, provides facilities that enhance Calvin Church's ability to reach out to its neighbors. Calvin Church has been richly blessed and welcomes all who love the Lord and wish to share in those blessings.

This site is maintained by Earl D. Fife.
For assistance or corrections, please contact him at fife@calvin.edu