1950: 17 families asked 1st Byron Center CRC's consistory for permission to form a new church.

1953: On March 4, Dr. William Hendriksen declared the 2nd CRC of Byron Center was duly established with 39 families.

The church building was purchased from 1st Byron Center Reformed Church for $2,000.

Frank Ringnalda donated 2 acres of property on the corner of 76th and Byron Center Avenue.

The combined expenses of moving the building and construction costs were $8,000-$10,000.

Orie Klunder made and donated the pulpit.

Ed Zylstra gave the church a pulpit Bible.

The 1st elders were: Ed Berends, Frank Buist, and Bill Stroo. The 1st deacons were: Lewis Bronsink, Mart Geelhoed, and Ed Zuidema. Each member bought his own chair for the consistory room.

Ministers received $10 per sermon.

A proposal to build a parsonage for an estimated cost between $14,000 and $15,000 was approved.

On Nov. 10 Rev. Albert Jabaay was called and accepted to be minister for a salary of $3,500.

The 1st service was held on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 26.

The 1st Sunday school was formed with 90 people, including an adult class. The 1st Sunday school teachers were: Alice Bronsink, Bill DeJong, Bea Geelhoed, Al Huizenga, Edna Huizenga, and Ed Zylstra.

A Men's Society and Boy's Club were formed.

1954: Rev. Jabaay was installed.

The 1st baptisms were Bonnie Berends of Ed & Gert and Sue Klunder of Marvin & Gerry.

Frank Ringnalda was the 1st janitor.

Families brought their own food to the 1st church picnic at Ideal Park.

Ruth Klunder was the 1st member of our congregation to be married in our church.

The schedule for the week was set:

Mon - Catechism 7:15-8:00, then Young Peoples.
Tues - Choir (27 members attended).
Wed - Men’s Fellowship (22 members attended).
Thurs - Ruth Circle (42 members attended).
Alternate Thurs - Sunday School teachers met.

A used organ was installed for $700.

1 elder and 1 deacon were added to the consistory because of church growth

1955: An Allen Electric organ was purchased for $2,970 to replace the pipe organ.

We started a 10 minute song service at the beginning of the evening service.

Will & Grace Berkenpas donated the baptismal fount in memory of Charles Allen Berkenpas.

1956: An envelope system was adopted. The 1st budget for the general fund was $3.75 and the building fund was $1.25.

1957: The church bell was donated by Jim Sebastian, a non-member.

1958: Since the church grew to 75 families, the 1st addition was built on the north end of the church costing $68,000.

It was voted to give the organists $10 per year to buy music.

1959: Cadets were organized; Russ Oudbier & Ray Berkenpas were the 1st two leaders.

The church was painted for $285.

1960: The budget was $4 for the general fund and $2.25 for the building fund.

1961: The first nursery was provided.

The Joy Society was organized for older ladies in the afternoon.

We ripped sheets in 3" and 4" widths to roll bandages as a service project for the Red Cross.

1962: A $50 car allowance was approved for the minister.

1963: Calvinettes were introduced and began a club with 4 leaders, Harriet Koetje, Virginia Post, Thelma Schutte, and Jean Wiers, and 35 girls.

All the area churches canvassed every home in the township and invited them to worship.

1964: Rev. Jabaay retired.

1965: Song service started 15 minutes before the evening worship service.

Rev. John VanderLugt was installed as our new pastor.

The first SWIM team members, Lavonne Zuidema and Al DeVries, were sent to Indian Harbor, FL.

1966: Individuals installed a $300 gas furnace in the parsonage.

1967: The old wooden church was demolished and the new sanctuary and study were built. They were dedicated September 10.

Simon Geers and Will Berkenpas made the cross that hangs in front of church.

We have grown to 107 families.

A coin sorting machine was bought for $400 for the deacons.

A new organ was purchased for $30,000.

The minister’s salary was $7,500.

New mercury vapor lights were approved for the parking lot.

The 1st coat of gravel was placed on the parking lot.

1969: Greeters were used before the service instead of elders.

A new septic tank was put in with volunteer help.

Rev. John VanderLugt accepted a call to Palos Heights, IL.

1970: The parsonage was remodeled - adding a laundry, full bath, back entry, and combining the kitchen and dining area.

Pastor Jay DeVries became our third pastor.

The Mr. & Mrs. Society began. The group was so large we divided into two groups. A younger group for couples with combined ages of 70 or less, and an older group for couples greater than 70.

1971: A petition to let women vote was defeated.

Communion was held 6 times a year, alternating mornings and evenings, instead of 4 times a year.

17-20 families attended the 1st church campout at Tyler Creek.

1972: We bought land from Frank Ringnalda to expand the parking lot.

The 1st post service coffee time was held in the basement.

The parking lot was black topped and enlarged for $1,200.

1973: Young people had a glass crushing project in the rear parking lot. Proceeds went to buy a Sunday school van for Pinegate Chapel.

A combined children's choir was requested. Jackie Oudbier led the elementary kids and Harriet Koetje led the Jr. High kids. Practice time was 15 minutes before Sunday school.

1974: Al DeVries, son of Hank & Hermina, became the 1st son of the congregation to enter the ministry. He accepted a call to serve in Washington.

We voted to keep the evening worship time at 7pm.

1975: A slide projector left on in the parsonage basement caused $13,000 in fire damage.

1976: The interior of the church was redecorated for $1,400.

Home Bible studies began in October; we studied Philippians.

1977: The FACE committee was appointed and proposed a budget of $3.75 for financial aid to Christian schools.

The consistory room was remodeled.

Don Alofs was appointed as rep for Round Lake Camp (Son Life).

1978: We held our 25th Anniversary Celebration of our church. Russ Oudbier presented a "25 year" slide program. The church had 175 families; Sunday school was 225.

A new organ was purchased for $25,000 and the old organ was donated to Bowen Mills Chapel.

1979: Pastor De Vries preached his farewell sermon after accepting a call to Arcadia. During his time here 114 professed their faith and 120 children were baptized.

Rev. Paul Bakker from Iowa became our 4th pastor.

1980: Cadets met in the old Ringnalda house. No more sawdust was in the church basement!

Our church sponsored a Vietnamese family (Nguyen Bui).

We divided the basement into permanent class rooms and built the all-purpose building for the cost of $50,000.

The Calvinettes placed the 1st Christmas tree in the Narthex.

1981: The request for pew cushions was defeated.

We had two congregational meetings a year instead of one.

Coffee fellowship started in the all-purpose building.

1983: We received a gift of the Grand piano.

1984: Rev. Paul Bakker accepted a call to Iowa.

Rev. Homer Wigboldy became our 5th pastor.

The consistory voted 15 to 5 in favor of women voting at congregational meetings.

1986: In August the parsonage and garage were sold to Randy Lutz for $10,000.

1987: We built a new parsonage north of the church for $95,000.

1988: The fellowship room was built for $115,000 and dedicated.

1989: The Prayer Chain was started.

1990: Jan Wever began and directed a Children's and Youth Choir.

Joel & Elaine Wustman became our janitors.

Steve and Kathy Ewing and family were baptized and joined our church.

A council motion to have women serve as deacons was defeated.

1991: Shawn Brix was hired to teach Catechism and be a youth leader.

Rev. Wigboldy accepted a call to Lansing, IL.

1992: A computer was bought for the church.

1993: Pastor John Gorter became our 6th pastor.

The 1st Serve team worked in Rochester, NY.

4 year olds Church School began.

1994: Bob Loerts became our 1st intern. He served us for one year.

A new Bell Tower was built with the original bell installed. The bell had been stored in a hay barn for 27 years.

1995: Pastor Tim Kuperus served as our intern.

1996: Pastor Tim Kuperus was called as our assistant pastor. He continued attending the seminary.

Jeff Brower (son of Joel and Jean) became the 2nd son of the congregation to become a full time pastor and he served in Indiana.

1997: Pastor Tim Kuperus became our assistant pastor and choir director.

MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) was started.

1998: For $2,000 the garage of the All-purpose building was made into a Young People's room called "The Garage". 1999: We renovated the basement of church. It cost $50,000.

We hired a ½ time secretary.

We re-roofed the church and hooked up the sewer.

2000: We auctioned the 1st consistory table at the FACE auction.

We purchased a new 15 passenger van.

2001: An addition to the parking lot, a retention pond, and a catch basin were built.

2002: Pastor Tim Kuperus accepted a call to Friendship CRC.

2003: Pastor Gorter accepted a call to Peoria, IA.

We renovated the sanctuary, added a new north entry, some classrooms, and air conditioning. This was completed in August. The 1st service after the renovation was on September 7. We held services at 1st Cutlerville CRC while our church was under construction.

We celebrated 50 years by enjoying 6 of our former ministers. Each minister preached at a service in September and special music was given by former and present members of the congregation. We enjoyed an ice cream social after an evening service. The last Saturday of the month we held a dinner in the fellowship hall and Dave Schreur presented the video "50 years of God's Goodness!"