BEVERLY CHURCH: A Brief History (1953-2000)

The Bethany United Reformed Church had its beginning in 1953 when approximately fiftyfive (55) families of Wyoming Park Christian Reformed Church desired to form a new congregation in the Beverly area. Formal organization took place on March 9, 1953, in the former Beverly Reformed Church at the comer of Porter and Meyer Avenues. Shortly thereafter, this church building was purchased for $ 17,500 with gifts from our mother congregation and other churches in Classis Grand Rapids South.

Several charter members are still members at Beverly. They are Mr. and Mrs. Christian DeBoer, Mrs. Lena Dreyer, Mr. and Mrs. John Groelsema, Mr. Norman Kline, Mrs. Irma Koetje, Mr. and Mrs. Simon Lenger, Miss Ruth Mulder, Mr. and Mrs. Peter Piebenga, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Piper, Mrs. Arlene Roelofs, Mrs. Helen Schuiling and Mr. Douglas Wolfert. Peter Piebenga was elected the first Treasurer and John Groelsema Assistant Treasurer.

After trios were made and ten calls issued, Rev. Richard Wezeman accepted the call to serve as our first Pastor. He was installed on October 13, 1954. Even before Rev. Wezeman arrived, an addition was approved for the church building, adding one hundred seats and a choir loft. Our present property was also purchased, anticipating the day when our first church building would no longer be adequate. Already in 1955 approval was given to engage an architect to draw up plans for a new church building. Peter Piebenga served on the new church building committee.

Ground breaking for the new church building took place on September 3, 1957. Total cost of the church, including furnishings, was approximately $226,000.00. The first worship services took place on Sunday, June 22, 1958, and the membership was now one hundred and sixty (160) families. A dedication ceremony took place on June 26th with all praise given to our gracious God. The old church building was sold to the Southwest Protestant Reformed Church congregation for $23,500.00.

In September of 1961, our Pastor, Rev. Wezeman, accepted the call of the Home Mission Board of the CRC to continue his work at Fairbanks, Alaska. A call was extended to Rev. Edward Knott of the Ellen Avenue CRC in Grand Rapids. Rev. Knott was installed on December 24, 1961. Three of the Elders serving in that first Council with Rev. Knott were Neal Baas, John Groelsema and Peter Piebenga. Rev. Knott and his family moved into our new parsonage in June of 1963. Total cost of the parsonage was $25,560.00. It was reported in November of 1963 that one hundred and sixty-six (166) families worshipped at Beverly,

Many interesting things happened at Beverly Church during the decade of the 1960's. In 1961 a Christian School Society was formed to support and promote Christian education for the youth of the church. Our first pictorial directory was published in 1967. The congregation gave permission to purchase a Reuter Pipe Organ for $26,000.00 in 1968. Perhaps most exciting of all was that God, through His Holy Spirit, moved Beverly Church to become involved in the support of many mission programs! Some of these were: Guiding Light Mission; Guam Bookstore; Ogden; Utah home Missions; Argentina Foreign Mission; the Grand Rapids Veterans Facility; sponsorship of a Cuban family for resettlement in the United States; and the work at Rehoboth. Young Al, one of the sons of Rev. Arnold Rumph, who became our missionary to Argentina in 1961, is presently a member of Beverly.

In June of 1971, Rev. Knott left Beverly to become Pastor of West Leonard CRC in Grand Rapids. After a brief vacancy, Rev. Jacob Uitvlugt was installed as our next Pastor. Also in 1971, Rev. Richard Veldman was engaged to teach some of the catechism classes. In 1973 we became the calling church for a missionary to Managua, Nicaragua, and this work was begun in January of 1975. Our first Mission Emphasis Week was observed in 1977. We received the Ministerial Credentials and membership of Rev. H. DeWolf in 1978, and he became an Associate pastor of Beverly Church. Also in 1978, we celebrated our 25th anniversary with great joy and thankfulness to God. One hundred and thirty-five (135) families now worshipped at Beverly. How gracious and loving our God has shown Himself to be!

In 198 1, Rev. Uitvlugt followed the call to Central Avenue CRC in Holland, Michigan. The work at Beverly Church was taken up in 1982 by Rev. H. David Schuringa who was a candidate from Calvin Theological Seminary. After a short stay, Rev. Schuringa was granted a leave to continue his studies at Kampen University in the Netherlands. Eventually he accepted a position as Assistant Professor of Practical Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary in Escondido, California.

The Lord provided a new undershepherd for Beverly Church in 1986 with the arrival of our present Pastor, Rev. Arthur Besteman and his family from North Street CRC in Zeeland, Michigan. Under his leadership Beverly continues to be a very vibrant church with its many organizations and activities for Christian growth and fellowship. Support of missions remains a priority of the congregation, and Beverly is known as a church where a stranger will always receive a warm Christian welcome.

In 1988 Rev. Knott retired from the active parish ministry and with his wife, Harriet, rejoined Beverly Church as a member and Associate Pastor. The following year Rev. Peter and Mrs. Pauline Honderd also joined Beverly giving us a second Associate Pastor.

Following a congregational vote in 1992 (Oct. 5), Beverly became an independent church, eventually joining the United Reformed churches of North America as a charter member in October of 1996.

At our Forty-fifth aniversery we saw how the God of our fathers has led us and caused us to be a blessing to many. We also see that we have received incalculable blessings from His bounteous hand. How thankful we are that Almighty God is mindful of us!

As we look forward we must strive to live holy and godly lives. We must "... make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with Him" and "...grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever! Amen." 11 Peter 3:14 and 18.

Expansion plans result in new church building for Bethany URC

WYOMING, MI-In the fall of 1997 the Council of the Bethany (formerly Beverly) United Reformed Church of Wyoming, Michigan appointed a committee to study the possibility of expansion of its facilities at the site where it had been located for some forty years. There was need for additional classrooms as well as additional parking. After considering several options, the decision was made to pursue relocation rather than expansion. The search for land in the desired area was complicated by the fact that a new expressway is being constructed in the southern part of the county in which the church is located, which has-resulted in a. sharp increase in the cost of land. During the search for land a 6.6 acre piece of property in an ideal location was found. The property, owned by a church, was ready to be placed on the market. The church was able to purchase this piece of land, as well as neighboring property, so that a building site of 9.6 acres was obtained. The existing church building was placed on the market, and within two weeks, was sold for cash at the asking price.

On September 8, 1998, a groundbreaking ceremony was held at the new site. On October 25, 1998 the last service was he Id at the old location. For the next year, the use of a school building in the area was provided for worship services and mid-week meetings. On October 24, 1999, the congregation assembled in their new building for the service of dedication. The building, consisting of 23,000 square feet with a potential seating capacity of 1000, was built for just over two million dollars. At the present time, a forty by eighty-foot activity building, which will be used primarily by the Cadets and Young People, is being constructed on the back part of the church property.

On June 30, 1999, Rev. A. Besteman, who had served the church as pastor for, 13 years, retired from the active ministry. The second call issued by the congregation was extended to Rev. Casey Freswick, pastor of the Newton Covenant Reformed Church of Newton, New Jersey. Rev. Freswick was led to accept the call. He and his family arrived in Wyoming the latter part of October and moved into a house that they had purchased a short distance from the new church building. The service of installation was held on October 3 1. Rev. Besteman presided at the service. Rev. Mark Vander Hart, Professor of Old Testament studies at Mid-America Reformed Seminary preached the sermon of installation entitled "A Glorious Treasure in Jars of Clay" based on 11 Corinthians 4:7. Rev. E.J. Knott, a former pastor of the congregation, now serving as Associate Pastor at Bethany, read the form for installation and Rev. Derrick Vander Meulen, pastor of the Bethel United Reformed Church of Jenison, who represented Classis Michigan at the service, read the charge to the pastor and to the congregation. The new pastor pronounced the benediction.

At the evening service Rev. Freswick preached his inaugural sermon entitled "The Power of God" based on Romans 1: 16.

The Bethany Congregation rejoices in God's goodness and faithfulness and prays to remain faithful to her calling as a church of Jesus Christ.

-Rev. A. Besteman

 

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