Official Beginning. The Second Reformed Church of Marion formally began on March 2, 1910, when a group of people gathered at the Presbyterian Church for an organizational meeting. The Classis of Rochester organizing committee consisted of Rev. G. H. Hospers, Rev. G. Tysse and Elder Engels of Newark. After questioning, 77 members were received from the membership of First Reformed Church of Marion. Twenty-three members were received on confession making a total of 101. None of the charter members are living today.
The First Consistory. The first Consistory was made up of four Elders: Peter Adriaansen, Sr., Isaac DeSmith, Jacob Bush, and Peter DeBak; and four Deacons: Jacob VanHall, Sr., John Adriaansen, Marinus Boerman, and Jacob DeCracker. These men were installed immediately.
The First Location: The group worshipped for one year in the rented Grange Hall.
The First Pastor: Rev. Peter Ihrman, 1910-1911
Rev. Peter Ihrman was the first pastor, coming from Iowa in August, 1910. He was installed on September 6, 1910. The church membership had grown to 124. This was not Rev. Ihrman’s first time in Marion; he had previously pastored the First Reformed Church (1891-1896),
Purchase of Lot and Parsonage. The time was right for building. Peter Adriaansen, Isaac DeSmith, and Jacob Bush were appointed to find a suitable place. There was a lot on which stood a cobblestone blacksmith shop adjoined by a barrel- and wagon-making shop owned by Warren Curtis (Margaret’s grandfather). On September 7, this committee reported that the Curtis lot could be bought for $1500. The committee then started to canvas the members for pledges. An amount of $6800 was realized from this canvas. A parsonage was purchased for $3600, which was the home of the late W. E. Croucher. $800 was received toward the parsonage from the Board.
Construction of Church Building. A plan for the church building was adopted in December 1910 and the Church was dedicated on April 12, 1911. The cost for the lot and building was a little over $9000, covered by cash, bankable notes, labor and pledges. Much hard labor and sacrifice was involved. Elder Gilman donated 48 days of labor as did others. Many mortgaged homes and farms. Horses and wagons hauled dirt and materials. The first service held in the church was not the dedication, but the funeral of one of the older members, Jacob Tack. The church was well filled for the dedication with an afternoon service in the Holland language and the evening service in English. The membership had now grown to 163 and Sunday School enrollment was 180. Sylvia DeMay’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Lybart, donated their services as janitors.
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*The same type of dissension occurred in the Reformed Churches in Orange City and Hull, Iowa, when groups broke off from the traditional Dutch speaking First Reformed Churches in each town, and formed the American Reformed Churches in each town. The same dissension occurred in various Norwegian Lutheran and German Lutheran Churches around the country.
Almost the first work done by our pastor, Rev. Ihrman and his wife, was to organize the Women’s Missionary Society, the Young Ladies Mission Band, and the Christian Endeavor Society. Amid the joys of worshipping in the new church building, hearts were made sad by the homegoing of brother in Christ, John Adriaansen (Pat’s father). He was one of those who gave his all for the organization and building of the church.
Then on September 16, 1911, after having labored for only 13 months among us, our beloved pastor, Rev. Peter Ihrman, was called home into the rest that awaits the people of God. Rev. Ihrman was the right man at the right time, as he was a natural organizer and builder. Much was accomplished during his time.
We were now a growing respected congregation, not only in our own town, but in the Rochester Classis, Albany Synod, and the Reformed Church of America.
Rev. Isaac VanWestenburg, 1912-1914
We called Rev. Isaac VanWestenburg of Grand Rapids, Michigan, in June 1912. He was an evangelistic style preacher. He came from Western Seminary, Hope College Campus, as a new preacher and a new husband. One member called him a “boomy”, loud speaker who often pounded the pulpit to awaken those who slept. He reportedly had the dreaded respect of the young men in the congregation who sat in the back row of the church. He labored here until October 1914.
Rev. John Wolterink, 1914-1921
On October 26, 1914, we called the Rev. John Wolerink of Clymer Hill to become our pastor. In a few weeks he accepted the call. He was described as a true servant of God and a man of prayer. It was during his stay with us that we experienced tragedy as a congregation. It was a beautiful, quiet August afternoon in 1915 when our church burned. This was a great blow, but that God’s cause must go on we, with renewed zeal, set about to rebuild and repair the damage done. After a settlement was made with the insurance company, we started at once to rebuild. The burning left our congregation with a $2200 debt after insurance. In 1919, a canvas was made to secure the money and we realized the amount of the debt plus $200. True Dutch tradition!
On February 11, 1919, Elder Isaac DeSmith was called away by death. Mr. DeSmith had served on the Consistory for 34 successive years, 5 years as elder of this church. Mrs. DeSmith willed $800 to the Women’s Board of Domestic Missions and to repay the amount we had received as payment on the parsonage, and $5000 to the Board of Foreign Missions. This was also the year the duplex offering envelope system went into effect.
We burned the notes owed in March 1919, after a chicken pie supper, three and one-half years after the fire. The church had 235 members by this time. Soon after this, individual communion cups were introduced.
In the latter part of l921, our pastor accepted a call to the First Reformed Church of Baldwin, Wisconsin. He and Mrs. Wolterink with their two small sons, both of whom were born in Marion, left on October 1 for their new field of labor. Rev. and Mrs. Wolterink were people of fine Christian character and their pastorate of seven years among us was blessed by God in many ways.
(It may be of interest to note that Rev. B. T. VanderWoude was called but declined. He was the father of Con VanderWoude who later became our pastor.)
Rev. John Ossewaarde, 1922-1928
On February 1, 1922, Rev. John Ossewaarde of Leighton, Iowa, was called and he accepted, coming here in April 1922 with his wife and three daughters. During their pastorate here, their lovely daughter, Adelle, was called by her God. The congregation tried to show sympathy, but realized that God alone could heal and comfort those broken hearts. They installed a light over the choir in loving memory of their daughter.
On December 10, 1925, at the Congregational Meeting, it was decided to buy a pipe organ. The following were appointed to canvas for funds: Rev. Ossewaarde, Peter J. VanHall, C. Catttieu, John Johnson, Jacob Bush, Jacob VanGee, Abram Johnson, Isaac VanHall, Abram Filibert, and Isaac Gilman. Within a week, the goal of $2500 was realized and final plans were activated toward the purchase. On a May evening in 1926, the organ was dedicated at a special service. The church was packed to capacity with music lovers who came to hear the organ played by two Rochester organists. There was a solo by Adrian DeRidder, and also by a guest soloist. The organ was the fourth pipe organ to be installed in Marion. Up to this time, a small reed pump organ was used for the services.
The first organist was Miss Lucille VanChloster, daughter of a horse and buggy mailman. They lived next to the church. Miss Bessie VanHall (later VanHanegem) was the morning organist at the time we purchased the pipe organ and Peg Pembroke played at the evening services. Bessie and Peg played for many years.
The membership in the church rose to 270 during the stay of Rev. Ossewaarde. The parking lot was purchased adjoining the church and new hardwood floors were laid in the auditorium. Women’s work was also very active. Mrs. Ossewaarde showed wonderful ability as leader of the choirs, as a worker in the Missionary Society, and as the teacher of the Sunshine Class of girls and as an influential helper in all circles undertaken by the women. Many improvements were made during Rev. Ossewaarde’s pastorate including the purchase of the pipe organ, hardwood floors in the church, pews placed in the balcony, carpets, rugs and silverware purchased and improvements on the fine parsonage. The Sunday School at this time had an average attendance of 196. During the six years of his pastorate here, 80 members had been added by Confession of Faith or Transfer of Membership. Rev. Ossewaarde left in 1928 to serve as a missionary under the auspices of the East and West Sioux Classes in northwestern Iowa.
Rev. David Bogard, 1928-1935
Rev. David Bogard was called to our church in June 1928. With him came his wife and baby Hugh.
On October 2, 1928, the baptismal fount was given to the church by two Sunday school classes.
In 1932, the church was again called to mourn the loss of one of her first elders, Peter Adriaansen, Sr., who served for many years as an elder, Sunday School teacher, leader and counselor. Isaac Gilman, another consistory member and faithful servant, was called home two years later. Isaac Gilman served the church as Sunday School Superintendent for many years.
These losses stunned the congregation; but, with the Lord’s help, the work continued.
Rev. Bogard was pastor of the church until December 1935 when he received and accepted a call to the Reformed Church at Little Falls, New Jersey. Rev. Bogard had a dynamic personality that was filled with enthusiasm and zeal for the cause of God’s Kingdom as well as loving concern for each individual.
Rev. Cornelius Lepeltak, 1936-1944
On April 7, 1936, a call was extended to the Rev. Cornelius Lepeltak, which he accepted. He arrived in June with his family. They had five children, two of whom were born here The children were Alma Ruth, Linda Lou, Walter, Paul and Mary Ann. Mrs. Lepeltak still found time for women’s work. In 1938, the morning service was changed to the English language from the Dutch. As World War II proceeded to include the U.S., many felt their responsibility to their country in various ways. Rev. Lepeltak was granted a leave of absence in 1943 so that he might become a chaplain in the U. S. Army. His faithful service to our church ended in 1944. He had served this church for seven and a half years.
Rev. Arnold Dykuizen, 1944 – 1951
On October 10, 1944, a call was extended to Rev. Arnold Dykhuizen – then serving a church in Johnston, NY. This call was accepted and the Dykhuizens came to their new home with their son, Kenneth. While here they adopted their daughter, Joy.
During Rev. Dykhuizen’s pastorate, the pipe organ was rebuilt and extensive improvements made in the auditorium at a cost of $3300.00. The console was moved from the side wall and placed in the center of the choir loft, while the pipes were put in the ceiling.
Mrs. Dykhuizen was a vivacious worker in the church as well as her husband. She organized the Junior Choir with Frances Boerman, and herself as director. It was very difficult to say good-bye to such a beloved pastor as Rev. Dyk. Little did we know then that we would always have a part of him with us in the form of his son, Kenneth, and grandchildren. Rev. Dykhuizen moved to Chicago to pastor the First Reformed Church of Berwyn, Illinois and later retired in Holland, Michigan. However,on June 29, 1985, while vacationing here with Kenneth and family, Rev. “Dyk.” married his granddaughter, Beth to Mark Boerman, great-grandson of Marinus Boerman (one of the first four chosen deacons).
Rev. Paul Morehouse, 1951 – 1958
Rev. Paul Morehouse was called by our congregation in 1951 while still a student in Western Seminary. With him came his young wife Eleanor and infant son, 14-month old James. While serving our church, two more children were born to them, John and Beth. During his pastorate, the church basement was completely remodeled and an addition for Sunday School facilities was built on the back of the church. This was necessary for the increase in our church activities and attendance. Rev. Morehouse was a man who gave us all much spiritual food for our souls. He left us for a pastorate in Catskill, NY and was, in 1985, serving a very large church in a retirement village in Whiting, N.J.
Rev. Cornelius VanderWoude, 1958-1967
At a congregational meeting on February 28, 1958, Rev. Cornelius VanderWoude was called. He came to us in April with his wife Betty and children, Charles and Elizabeth. Church and Sunday School attendance remained good. Betty helped with the Junior Choir during this time. She was also very active in women’s work. It was during this time that the Reformed Church Women reorganized and she was instrumental in getting our church women into the new structure. The Guild and Circles were formed in place of the former groups. During Rev. VanderWoude’s pastorate, new pews and carpeting were installed.
In 1960, our church celebrated its 50th anniversary with all pastors and their wives (who were able) attending the celebration. The Dykhuizens, the Bogards, Morehouses, and, of course, the VanderWoudes were present. The evening was started with a congregational supper and followed by a service of celebration and thankfulness for our 50 years as an organized church in the R.C.A. Each former pastor who was there had some words of inspiration to say to us as a congregation. We also enjoyed some special music.
During Rev. VanderWoude’s stay with us we had a student pastor, Mr. Bruce Goodwin, from Western Seminary. He was engaged to be married at the time, and looking forward to his wedding. We surprised him with a bridal shower. He was later pastor of Lakeview Reformed Church in Rochester for a number of years.
The VanderWoudes left us in April, 1967. It was indeed hard to say good-bye to such a dedicated and much-loved pastor.
At time of this writing, Rev. VanderWoude was the Chaplain at the Developmental Center in Muskegon, Michigan. Betty taught Learning Disabled children in a public school in Muskegon.
Rev. John Staal, 1967 – 1968
Rev. John Staal came to us on August 9, 1967 with six children from St. Paul, Minnesota. He left after one year for a church in Iowa.