50th Anniversary
                                                                         of the Borculo
                                                                         Chr. Ref. Church
                                                                                1933
 
 

                      SHORT HISTORY OF THE CHRISTIAN REFORMED

                            CHURCH OF BORCULO, MICHIGAN

                                     1883-1933
 
 

         THE history of the Christian Reformed Church of Borculo is very
         closely related to the history of the first settlement of the village now
         known as Borculo. It is a heroic account of overcoming many obstacles.
         When the first settlers (some of whom came from Borculo, Gelderland,
         Netherlands, after which this place was named) came to this place they
         found a low swampy place, which was covered with woods everywhere.
         There were no roads to speak of. Among the first settlers were B. Kuiers,
         P. Lamer, J. Klunderman, Geert Moeke and others. The last named greatly
         assisted this community by setting up a sawmill, thereby providing labor,
         lumber for homes, and also gave an outlet for the lumber with which the
         whole country was covered.

           Soon the need of a church of its own was felt, as it was almost a physical
         impossibility to remain with Zeeland 1 or with the other neighboring
         churches, especially in view of the bad roads, and the scanty means of con-
         veyance. First a group of settlers gathered at the home of J. Klunderman
         and were assisted in their public worship in turn by the Christian Reformed
         and the Reformed ‘Church of Zeeland, Mich. Soon the group became too big
         to meet conveniently in a private home, and the public school of Borculo was
         chosen as its next meeting place. The early settlers discussed their need
         of being organized into a separate congregation many times. But they
         lacked the man to push the matter until the’ arrival of Mr. B. De Haan, a
         man gifted with talents for leadership and who for years had been an
         office-bearer in the land across the ocean. Finally it was decided to request
         Classis Holland to organize them as a separate congregation. Brother De
         Haan pleaded the cause of this community so well that the Classis decided
         to grant the request. Revs. H. Douwstra and R. T.. Kuiper and Elder C.
         Rarsten were appointed to assist in the organization of a Christian Re-
         formed Church in Borculo.

           The organization took place July 5, 1883. The Classical Committee met
         with the members who wished to organize. Rev. R. T. Kuiper preached a
         sermon based on Psalm 122 :6, “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, they shall
         prosper that love thee.” Fifteen families signified their willingness to
         become the first members of the new church. As Elders were chosen B. De
         Haan, L. Dijkstra and J. Norden, while H. Wiegmink and B. Blauwkamp
         served as Deacons. Of these first charter members only four persons are
         still with us, namely B. Blauwkamp, Mrs. B. Ruiers, and Mr. and Mrs. P.
         Lamer.

           A little church was called into being. According to some it was doomed
         to be a failure. But God rules. Its beginning was small, its struggles not a