Historical Archives
of the
Protestant Reformed Churches

Recent Dates of Interest (since July of 2001)

The Early Years

Founding Fathers of the PRC

Rev. Herman Hoeksema For a brief biography of "H.H." go here. Visit this page for the CRC Archive file on "H.H."	Rev. George Ophoff For a brief biography of "G.M.O." go here. Visit this page for the CRC Archive file on "G.M.O."	Rev. Henry Danhof For a brief introduction to "H.D." go here. Visit this page for the CRC Archive file on "H.D."

Old Bulletins/Programs/Books (including the pre-PRC years):

• Herman Hoeksema's Years at 14th St. CRC, Holland, MI (Sept.,1915-Feb.,1920) - Pages from their 25th Anniversary Booklet (1902-1927)

• Herman Hoeksema's first published book: Dominee Kouwenaar of Zedelijk Dualisme (Eerdmans-Sevensma, 1919).

• Eastern Ave. CRC, Grand Rapids (Oct.28, 1923, when Rev. Herman Hoeksema was pastor)

Picture of Eastern Ave. CRC today (taken May 2012)

• Eastern Ave (Protesting) Christian Reformed Church (January 3, 1926 - after Rev.H. Hoeksema was deposed and formed his own congregation but before she was renamed 'First Protestant Reformed Church) - outside; inside

• Early Bulletin (Jan., 1927) of First Protestant Reformed Church after she changed her name to First PRC in 1926: Outside; inside

• Doon PRC (Feb.23,1947)

The first, official history of the PRC was written by Rev. Herman Hoeksema and was published in 1936. Somewhat rare to be found now, it is commonly known as the old "red book" in the PRC (because of its red cover). The entire book has been scanned and posted on our website, and may be read here. Below are two pictures of the book: the front cover and the title page.

Picture of Eastern Ave. Christian Reformed Church Consistory
Deposed with Rev. Herman Hoeksema on December 12, 1924

First Issue of Beacon Lights, the magazine for the Young People (January, 1941)

• Front Cover (pdf image)

• Editorial by Rev.C. Hanko: Part 1 & Part 2

Our Church News - A Protestant Reformed weekly newspaper, dated July 4, 1941; published in Grand Rapids

• Front page - partial

• Inside page covering various church news - partial

Concordia Magazine (old PRC "newspaper" started by 6 churches in NW Iowa and Minnesota in 1944. Rev.Gerrit Vos was the first editor in chief. This periodical would play a key role in the Split of 1953.)

• Front Page of 1st Issue (Feb.21, 1944)

• Editorial explaining its origin and purpose - Part 1 and Part 2

Fuller's Courier, July 1945 Issue - a special publication of 1st PRC, Grand Rapids during WW II reporting on the many soldiers involved in the war. Outside; inside (includes a beautiful poem written by one of the soldiers)

Sovereign Grace Hour Booklets (An old radio program broadcast out of Sioux Falls, South Dakota)

• July 22, 1945 - Rev. Gerrit Vos

• March 24, 1946 - Rev. Cornelius Hanko

Reformed Witness Hour Special Programs Commemorating Milestones in the Radio Ministry

• 100th Broadcast: Early 1943? at First PRC, Grand Rapids. Outside of program; inside

• 150th Broadcast: 5th year (1946) at First PRC, Grand Rapids. Combined pages

• 200th Broadcast: November 17, 1946 at First PRC, Grand Rapids. Outside of program; inside

• 300th Broadcast: October 14/17, 1948 at First PRC, Grand Rapids. Rev.H.Hoeksema was back to speak for the first time in a year after suffering a stroke.

  • Outside of program; inside

• Special Picture of Men's Radio Choir in First PRC, Grand Rapids during live broadcast, around 1952

• 700th Broadcast: June 3, 1956 at First PRC, Grand Rapids. Inside of program; cover; special picture of Radio Choir

• 1000th Broadcast: January 25, 1962 at First PRC, Grand Rapids. Outside of program; inside

• 2000th Broadcast: May 10, 1981 at First PRC, Grand Rapids. Prof.R.Decker speaking. Combined pages

25th Anniversary Commemoration (1925-1950) - Including significant items from these years

• Silver Anniversary Field Day Program, held June 21, 1950 in Jamestown Grove. Outside of program; inside of program

• Silver Anniversary Booklet (pdf image)

• Prayer Sonnet of Rev. Herman Hoeksema (in his own handwriting)

• Program for Rev.Herman Hoeksema's 25th Anniversary in the Ministry (1915-1940), held at John Ball Park, Grand Rapids, August 15, 1940 (outside; inside)

• Our First Synod, 1940 (pdf image)

• Consistory of First (GR) PRC in 1950 (pdf image)

• Synod of 1950 (pdf image)

• First PR Seminary Graduating Class, 1929 (pdf image)
          Back Row, l-r: R.Veldman, C.Hanko, L.Vermeer; Front Row, l-r: B.Kok, J.DeJong, A.Cammenga

• 1949 Young People's Convention Picture in Pella/Oskaloosa, IA (pdf image) - Recognize any of your parents/grandparents?

50th Anniversary Commemoration (1925-1975) - Including significant items from these years

• First PRC (Grand Rapids) Consistory in 1954, after the Split of 1953 (pdf image).

• Bulletin of First PRC (DeWolf group) after its delegates were not recognized by Classis East - dated Oct.11, 1953 (the only one of its kind in our Archives)

• Timeline of Events leading up to the Schism of 1953

• "Remembering the Schism of 1953": A series of sermons/lectures by the two main warriors (Revs.Herman Hoeksema and Hubert DeWolf) of the controversy over sovereign grace and the covenant in the PRC in the early 1950's leading up to the schism of 1953. Available from the RFPA here.

• Farewell Program for Rev. & Mrs.C. Hanko from First PRC, Grand Rapids, June 24, 1964 (He served from 1948-1964): Outside of program; inside

• Notices of Rev. Herman Hoeksema's death (in Grand Rapids, Sept.2, 1965) in the Grand Rapids Press (pdf) and in the Doon, IA Press, (pdf); Funeral Program (Sept.4, 1965)

• Reformation Day Rally in Grand Rapids, MI (Civic Auditorium), October 31, 1966. Outside of program; inside of program.

• 1968 Young People's Convention Picture at First PRC, Grand Rapids (Recognize any of these people?)

• Special Standard Bearer Issue - Sept.15, 1974 (cover image)

• 50th Anniversary Program (tied in with the 1975 Young People's Convention), August 5-7, 1975. Outside of program; inside of program

• Special Golden Anniversary Speeches at the 1975 Young People's Convention (published in the Sept.15, 1975 Standard Bearer, Vol.51, #21)

  • God's Covenant Faithfulness - The Idea - Prof. Homer C. Hoeksema

  • God's Covenant Faithfulness - The Historical Realization - Rev.David J. Engelsma

  • God's Covenant Faithfulness - The Future Manifestation - Prof. Herman C. Hanko

• Seminary Pictures taken from the 50th Anniversary history book God's Covenant Faithfulness, edited by Gertrude Hoeksema

• New Seminary Building Dedication Program, February 15, 1974

  • Outside Cover

  • Program for the evening

  • Note of appreciation from Prof. Homer C. Hoeksema

75th Anniversary Commemoration (1925-2000) - Including significant items from these years

• Special Standard Bearer Issue - June 2000 (cover image)

• Special Standard Bearer Issue - July 2000 (Synod image)

• Special Standard Bearer issue - August 2000 (cover image)

  • Family Fun Picture Page (pdf image)

  • Evening Program Pictures (pdf image)

• CRC Perspective on the 75 Anniversary of the 1924 Synod of Kalamazoo and the Adoption of Common Grace - Prof. John Bolt of Calvin Seminary

• 1979 Hope College Living Heritage Oral History Interview with Rev. Homer C. Hoeksema (pdf)

On Our Way to the 100th Anniversary Commemoration (1925-2025), D.V.

• Grand Rapids Press report on visit to PRC History Sites by Students from Heritage Christian High School (Dyer, IN), May 8, 2010 (Article & photo below courtesy of MLive and the GR Press).

To view the picture (painting) of a cottage in a vineyard (by Jean Ezinga of Loveland, CO) originally on the homepage of this website, along with its description, go here.