2023.50.81

(Published by the East Saugatuck Christian Reformed Church) 1969 A hard cover book published by members of the East Saugatuck Christian Reformed Church 1869-1969 was contributed to the Saugatuck-Douglas District Library book sale and given by the Friends of the Library to the Society for placement in the research library. The East Saugatuck church was one of the earliest churches born of the True Reformed movement that had begun in 1857 at Graafschap. Despite its historic associations, the original church building at Graafschap was razed this year. When increasing decentralization of Dutch settlers made it difficult for those in outlying areas to get to church, the formation of a new congregation at Collendoorn, south and east of Graafschap, was authorized by the General Assembly in 1868. The congregation's first church building was destroyed in the fires of 1871 and rebuilt, with much help from the community the following year. The 1872 building, an imposing white clapboard structure, was razed in 1966 in favor of a modern A-frame style edifice. The name of the denomination was changed from "True Reformed" to "Christian Reformed" in 1890 and the name of the community from Collendoorn to East Saugatuck in 1902, although it had been in general use for the railroad stop since the 1870s. In 1962 the East Saugatuck Mission Board took on as a project a fledging congregation that had been meeting in various places in Saugatuck since 1957. Ten acres of land was purchased on Allegan Street near the Blue Star Highway. The Saugatuck Christian Reformed Church was constructed on the site in 1965. --- Source: SDHS newsletter inserts, page 176.

SDHS NL InsertsChurches and religion

Winthers, Sally

11/24/2023

03/31/2024