Reformed.Net

Reformed Churches in Grand Rapids

a historical overview

These maps chart the growth of the various Reformed denominations in and near Grand Rapids, Michigan. Red dots show Reformed Church in America (RCA) congregations, blue dots show Christian Reformed Church (CRC) congregations, and green dots show other churches in the Dutch Reformed tradition.

To minimize extraneous information, the map does not show streets, railroads, or city limits. Only the Grand River and the church locations are shown. Years shown are year of organization for the church. The bullet lists indicate new congregations.

You can click on any map to see a larger version. (You'll need to use your browser's back button to return to this page.)

Prior to 1870, First and Second Reformed shared facilities. First CRC was about one block northwest of the location shown on these maps.

This set of maps charts the spread of Reformed churches from the city center outward as the city itself expands. During this time, only the First Reformed and the LaGrave Avenue Christian Reformed churches used the English language.

1870

Except for First Reformed, these were immigrant churches which used the Dutch language exclusively.

1875

As the city grew, the time came for Second Reformed to plant daughter churches in outlying areas, thus making it easier for members beyond the city core to attend worship. (All new church plants in this era used the Dutch language)

First Reformed relocated to N. Division between Pearl and Lyon in 1872. First Netherlands Reformed moved to 322 N. Division.

1880

Continued urban growth meant more new churches, including the first Reformed church on the west side of the river, a second Netherlands Refomed congregation, and the first Christian Reformed daughter church.

  • Netherlands Reformed (1876), Turner & Eleventh NW
  • Eastern Avenue CRC (1879), 506 Eastern Ave. SE

1885

The controversy over lodge membership resulted in a split in Fourth Reformed, with the majority leaving to join the small Christian Reformed denomination. Fourth Reformed moved to Coldbrook between Ottawa and Ionia in 1882; the Coldbrook CRC retained the property on Ionia.

Alpine Avenue CRC became the second Reformed church on the west side.

1890

The 1880s had seen the greatest Dutch immigration of any decade. The period 1886-90 saw seven new churches organized. This era saw expansion to the Oakdale Park and Roosevelt Park neighborhoods.

Fourth Reformed relocated to 1031 Ionia NW in 1888; Second Reformed moved to 154 Bostwick NW in 1889.
Next page: 1895-1915
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This page and site copyright 1997 by Dan Knight