Our roots go all the way back to the 1840's...
Our Struggles
Throughout our history we have encountered many challenges as we have sought to
be faithful to God's call upon our lives. For our first sixty years we struggled
financially to support our ministry in Falls. We were blessed with the support
of the Board of Domestic Missions, the Wisconsin Classis, and several local
churches.
We have also struggled to relate to our changing culture. Early on there was
debate about slave holders being members of the congregation. Later, we faced
what it meant to have a sabbath rest; can we drive our cars? dance? or have our
stores open? Transitioning from Dutch to English was also difficult.
In spite of these and many other challenges we have continued to grow and impact
our community.
Our Growth
We have consistently grown throughout the years. Early on, growth was slow, but
we managed to gain nearly fifty members in our first fifty years. We flowered
during the ministry of Rev. Lubbers, who took us from around 100 members to over
300. Since that time we have continued to grow, bringing us to a membership of
just over 350.
Our Call to Missions
In 1899, Rev. Zwerner came to us and installed a passion to share the gospel
with the rest of our world. From that time on we began supporting missionaries
around the world. In 1918, the tradition had come about where each member gave
one days wages toward various missions. While we continue to support missions
around the world with over 40% of our budget, we are also looking more and more
to the needs within our own community. It is our desire to proclaim the Gospel
throughout our community and the world.
Our Timeline
Check back from time to time as we expand
on our history page, including some pictures of our past!
1840's - A group of Holland settlers met
in homes to worship during this time. The meetings continued for nearly a
decade.
1856 - The Church was organized as a
mission of the Wisconsin Classis.
1864 - Falls placed under care of
Gibbsville.
1865 - Gibbsville reported union was not
working, so other local churches were asked to help; Oostburg was to exercise
discipline.
1866 - Incorporated as First Reformed
Protestant Dutch Church. The property on 314 Buffalo was purchased for $220.
1883 - Church building erected. (The
building still exists to this day and serves as a resale shop.)
1883 - Rev. Bloemendaal was called.
Evening service went from Dutch to English.
1891 - Rev. Henry Harmelink became the
classis missionary serving both Hope and First.
1897 - Hope dissolved relationship with
us because they had grown.
1899 - Rev. Frederick Zwerner became the
first resident pastor, but also served in Hingham. He stimulated interest in
missions. His salary: $200.
1903 - Hingham discontinued union after
weighing our weak and needy state. We placed ourselves at the mercy of the
classis.
1904 - A Seminary student served church
for summer and became highly respected. Rev. Peter De long was called as the
full time pastor. The Board of Domestic Missions paid half his salary which was
$700.
1905 - Parsonage was purchased for
$1,900, half was borrowed from classis. Name changed to Dutch Reformed Church of
Sheboygan Falls.
1907 - Rev. Tietema was called. After a
short time the congregation began to grow. Mrs. Tietema organized the choir.
1909 - Building was enlarged for $1,400.
1912 - Rev. Flikkema was called upon his
graduation from Western.
1915 - The church became self supporting.
Offering bags were replaced by baskets.
1918 - Time of anxiety as men fought in
WWI. An envelope system was implemented.
1920 - Rev. Raymond I. Lubbers was called
upon graduation and served for 34 1/2 years. He brought many changes like
installing colored windows, using individual cups for communion, choir robes
were purchased, and consistory minutes were taken in English.
1925 - Sunday morning service alternated
between Dutch and English each week.
1929 - Basement enlarged, plumbing
installed.
1931 - One service a month in Dutch.
1938 - Name changed to First Reformed
Church of Sheboygan Falls. The last Dutch service was held.
1941-45 - As fifty of our men served in
WWII, many prayer meetings were held.
1945 - Began fund raising $75,000 for new
building.
1947 - Ruselism led some members astray
(became Jehovah's Witnesses).
1950 - Site on Giddings Ave. was
purchased.
1951 - Current sanctuary dedicated.
1952 - Women admitted as voting members.
1954 - Pews installed for choir.
1955 - Purchase of a parsonage. Rev.
Jacob Juist was called.
1962 - Rev. James Vos was called.
1969 - Rev. Cornelius Reynen was called.
No more records were used for preludes.
1973 - Closed-circuit TV installed to
Pine Haven Christian Home.
1977 - Purchase of the "Lighthouse". Rev.
Henry Poppen was called.
1978 - By-laws were adopted.
1982 - Rev. Richard Kooistra was called.
1985 - Elevator installed and foyer
expanded.
1987 - NIV translation adopted.
1994 - Mission Statement adopted.
1996 - Rev. Brian Stone was called to
serve as the first Associate Pastor. A second parsonage was purchased.
1997 - Rev. Stone was called as Senior
Pastor.
1999 - Rev. Kevin Van Wyk was called to
serve as the Associate Pastor.
2000 - Activity Center dedicated at a
cost of $1,000,000.
2002 - Fire, caused by lightning,
damaged the sanctuary. Services were held in Family Life center while sanctuary
was restored.
2003 - Microwave wireless system
installed to replace agging closed circuit television system to Pine haven
Christian Home.
2003 - New web site launched at
1streformed.org.
2005 - Rev. Brad Veenendaal was called as
Senior Pastor.
2006 - First Reformed Church of Sheboygan
Falls, WI celebrates its 150th Anniversary. (Check out the Media Center
for a special program presented at the celebration.)
2009 - The first church plant was started. River Rock
church began serving the north side of the City of Sheboygan with a number of
members from First Reformed.
2011 - Rev. Jeremiah Fyffe, who served as Assistant Pastor, was
called to begin service at a church in Florida. |