In August, 1898, Rev. J. Keizer arrived in Pella and became the eighth
pastor. Although his ministry here lasted less than four years, it was
marked by a steady growth in the congregation, and by the addition of
several new congregations in the territory surrounding Pella. These were
at Galesburg and Otley, and also the Second Christian Reformed
congregation at Pella. In April, 1902, Rev. Keizer moved to Kalamazoo,
Mich. His faithful service here is remembered with gratitude by the
people he served.

Dr. J. Timmerman was the ninth pastor and he was ordained to the work in
October, 1902. While his term of service was not of long duration, as he
was called to another charge in the summer of 1904, his work and the
success he achieved will long be remembered by the members of the
church.

The tenth pastor, Rev. T. Van der Ark, came as pastor in April, 1905. He
was a preacher of unusual power and his work was greatly blessed,
especially among the younger membership of the church. There was a
substantial growth in the congregation and a new and modern parsonage
was constructed. In March, 1910, he accepted a call to Dretthe, Mich.,
and left Pella to the deep regret of the entire congregation.

His successor, Rev. C. De Leeuw, was the eleventh pastor and he was
ordained July 17, 1910. He served the congregation with zeal, and as he
was a man of great talent and fervor his ministry was marked with
spiritual growth and the material advancement of the church. He did much
in the nine years of his service to place the First Christian Reformed
Church in the foreground of the leading congregations of Pella.

The present pastor, Rev. J. De Haan, has served since August, 1920. He
is a fearless and eloquent preacher of the word and many people of Pella
who are not affiliated with the congregation are often seen at the
Sunday services, drawn by the power of sermons. It is the hope of the
church and of many others in Pella that the two years of his sojourn
thus far are but the beginning of many years of faithful service here in
Pella.

The present enrollment given is as follows- Families connected with the
church, 200. Individual members, 420. Sunday School, 200. Catechistical
Class, 200. Young Men's Society, 19. Ladies' Aid, 66. Young Ladles'
Society, 17. Girls' Society. 40.

THE PELLA BAPTIST CHURCH

The first church organization was effected about six miles south of
Pella at the home of Israer C. Curtis, in December, 1844, with six
members, and was known as the Aurora Missionary Baptist Church. In 1858
they voted to move the organization to the village of Pella.

The first church building was erected in 1857, but owing to a division
of the membership, a second church was organized, and the building of
the first church was sold to pay indebtedness. The membership dwindled,
and in 1863 they disbanded.

Soon after this a group of Baptists, who had not belonged to either of
the churches, consummated a new organization and worshipped in the
College Chapel.

The present house of worship was erected in 1874, but but not till 1887
was the auditorium completed, this being made possible then by the
second church disposing of their property and uniting in a common
effort. In 1907 the building was remodeled and the pipe organ installed.