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

         mistaken views of the covenant.

            After calling many times in vain the congregation rejoiced again when
         on the 7th of November, 1897, Candidate T. Van der Ark was installed as
         Borculo’s third pastor. This brother labored faithfully and with zeal among
         his first flock, and was loved by old as well as young. A Consistory room
         was built to provide also a meeting place for the Young Men’s Society.
         Geert Moeke presented the church with two acres of ground east of the
         church to be used for horse stables, pasture, etc. Rev. Vander Ark
         departed to the Commerce Street Church at Grand Rapids, Mich., in
         December, 1900.

            After a short vacancy Rev. William de Groot of Hospers, Iowa, was
         installed February 8, 1901, as Borculo’s fourth pastor by Rev. Huizingh of
         Beaverdam. At that time it is recorded that the number of families was
         “between 120 and 180. The number of souls totaled about 700.” In his
         historical sketch Rev. De Groot wrote: “There is a good audience every
         Sunday.” And so it has continued up to this day. Rev. De Groot left us in
         August, 1908, for Graafschap, Mich.

            Rev. P. Kosten of Paterson, N. J., was called to become our fifth pastor.
         His forceful and practical sermons are still remembered by those who
         heard them. At this time Mr. R. Bouwman led the singing in public
         worship. Rev. Kosten left us for West Sayville, N. J., July, 1907.

            Again our church was without a pastor, but soon succeeded in securing
         a new pastor in Rev. J. B. Jonkman of Harderwijk. His inaugural sermon
         was based on Ef. 3:8. During his ministration an extended organ loft was
         built and a new Hinner’s tractor organ installed. But also Rev. Jonkman
         had no abiding place in Borculo as he left us in July, 1912, for Fulton, Ill.

            This time the congregation did not have to wait long for a pastor for in
         September, 1912, Rev.E.J. Krohne was installed as Borculo’s seventh pastor.
         To him belongs the distinction of having served this congregation no less
         than nine years. The old parsonage proved defective, and the present beau-
         tiful parsonage was built. During his stay in Borculo the congregation
         became. involved in the Americanization process. The use of English was
         introduced in the catechism classes, and an occasional English sermon in
         the evening. The process of the gradual change from Holland to English
         was peaceful, and has continued so up to the present time. A budget
         system was adopted. The good old days of horse and buggy ended when
         Rev. Krohne purchased an auto. Hudsonville called and this brother
         preached his farewell in August, 1921.

         Rev.K.W. Fortuin became our eighth pastor. On the 22nd of January, 1922,
         this brother was inducted into this field of labor by Rev. E. J. Krohne.
         On the afternoon of that sanie day he preached his inaugural sermon
         based on Col. 1:28. Again a further process was made in the Americaniza-
         tion of our church. First an English service once a month was introduced,
         and one year later two such services, the second and last Sunday of every
         month was decided upon. In this time also the debt of our church was