Reformed.net Biographies

These brief biographies provide an introduction to some of the more significant people in Dutch Reformed history.

Dr. Solomon Froeligh, 1750-1827
Solomon Froeligh was a central figure (perhaps the central figure) in the creation of the True Dutch Reformed Church in 1822.
Hendrik de Cock, 1801-1842
The Rev. Hendrik de Cock is considered the father of the Afscheiding.
Gijsbert Haan, 1801-1874
The story of the man responsible for the secession that led to the creation of the Christian Reformed denomination.
Albertus van Raalte, 1811-1876
A brief biography of Albertus van Raalte, Afscheiding pastor, colonizer, and founder of Holland, Michigan.
Cornelius Kloppenburg, 1815-1876
The Rev. Cornelius Kloppenburg was the first pastor of the Netherlands Reformed Congregation in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and thus can be considered the father of the NRC in North America.
Dr. Abraham Kuyper, 1837-1920
A pastor, publisher, and politician, Abraham Kuyper led a secession from the Dutch Reformed Church and forged a union between two different seceder denominations.
Dr. Herman Hoeksema, 1886-1965
A brilliant man and a dogmatic Calvinist, Hoeksema created the Protestant Reformed denomination by his vehement disagreement with the doctrine of common grace.
Dr. Klaas Schilder, 1890-1952
A minister and theologian, Schilder was deposed by the GKN and established the "Liberated" churches in the Netherlands.
Hubert De Wolf
The Rev. De Wolf taught "conditional theology" and led 60% of the membership out of the Protestant Reformed Churches and into the Christian Reformed Church.