Van Arkel from 1870 to 1890, and since that date, for 28 years the
present janitor, Mr. B. Van Ommen, has served to the satisfaction of the
entire congregation.

As given in the Church History published in 1918, the church has a
membership of 160 families and 400 individual members. The members of
the consistory as given in the History of 1918 are: Elders, N. Bogaards,
G. B. Kolenbrander, John De Kock, N. Vander Linden, D. De Bruin.
Deacons, H. W. Kolenbrander, G. Van Zee, G. Bennink, A. Veldhuizen and
John Ter Louw.

THE FIRST CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH

August 2, 1866, a group of 42 persons met and passed a resolution to the
effect that they withdrew from membership in the First Reformed Church
of Pella and declared their intention of forming a new congregation. On
the 5th of August members of the consistory were chosen and on the 12th
of the same month the consistory was formally confirmed.

Thus was organized the First Christian Reformed Church, which today is
one of the largest congregations in Pella. The first pastor, Rev. H. R.
Koopmans, was ordained as minister on October 27, 1867. A commodious
brick parsonage was built across the street from the church building.

The second pastor, Rev. J. Noordewier, was ordained as pastor on October
10, 1869. He was a gifted and devout young minister, full of zeal for
the work, and under his ministration the young congregation grew in
numbers and influence. In August, 1871, Rev. Noordewier accepted a call
from Kalamazoo, Mich., to the great sorrow of the people whom he had
served so acceptably and faithfully.

The congregation issued a call on Rev. W. Coelingh of Holland, which was
accepted, and he was ordained as the third pastor of the church on the
17th day of December, 1871. Here he served well and faithfully and with
marked success until 1874, when he accepted a call to Zeeland, Mich.

The fourth pastor, Rev. S. Baron, was ordained as pastor of the church
August 13, 1876. He was a devout and earnest minister, but his health
was greatly impaired, and while he labored faithfully here, there was
more or less friction in the congregation and the growth of the church
did not advance. On July 24, 1881, at his own request, and because his
failing health did not permit him to continue the arduous work, he laid
down the work as pastor. In 1889 God called His faithful servant to his
reward.

He was succeeded by Rev. E. Broene, who began his work as pastor August
26, 1883. During his ministry of about three years there was substantial
growth in the congregation and renewed harmony and enthusiasm. In 1886
he accepted a call to Drenthe, Mich. He died in Michigan in 1911 and was
buried in Grand Rapids.

In October, 1887, Rev. J. B. Hoekstra became the sixth pastor of the
church and labored here with great zeal and with blessing on his
efforts. Many new members were added to the congregation. He accepted
another call in August, 1891.

The seventh pastor, Rev. J. Manni, took up his work here on September
18, 1892. That he was the right man for the responsible place was soon
manifested. Not only did the congregation grow in numbers, but under his
leadership the following congregations were organized in the vicinity:
At Leighton in 1893, at Peoria in 1894 and at Sully in 1896. After five
years of faithful and fruitful labor, he accepted a call from Passaic,
N. J.