Reformed Churches in Grand Rapids

a historical overview

These maps chart the growth of the various Reformed denominations in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Red dots show Reformed Church in America (RCA) congregations, blue dots show Christian Reformed Church (CRC) congregations, purple dots show Protestant Reformed (PRC) 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.)

This era saw the first secession from the Christian Reformed church. After Rev. Herman Hoeksema of Eastern Avenue CRC was deposed, his council and most of his parishoners remained loyal to him and his teachings. This was the start of the Protestant Reformed Churches, which had three churches in Grand Rapids by the end of this period.

1920 Trinity Reformed moved to 1224 Davis NW in 1916; Creston CRC to 238 Spencer Street NE in 1917. First and Second Reformed merged to form Central Reformed in 1918. East Paris Reformed closed on 1918. Garfield Park Reformed (1917), 1975 Jefferson Ave SE Twelfth Street CRC (1917), 950 Twelfth St NW Central Reformed (1918), 164 Fountain St NE Fairview Reformed (1918), 2391 Hillside Dr NW Wyoming Park CRC (1919), 2733 Byron Ctr SW

1925 Burton Heights CRC relocated exactly across the street from Garfield Park Reformed in 1922. Bethany Reformed moved to 834 Lake Drive SE in 1924. Plainfield Reformed closed in 1923. First PRC was the bulk of Eastern Avenue CRC. Home Acres Reformed (1925), 21 Murray St SE East Leonard CRC (1925), 1027 Leonard St NE Fuller Avenue CRC (1925), 1239 Fuller Ave SE First PRC (1925), Franklin Park, 900 Fuller Ave SE

1930 First PRC moved from Franklin Park to Saint Cecilia, at 24 Ransom NE. Lee Street CRC (1926), 1261 Lee St SW Southwest PRC (1926), 1514 Roosevelt Ave SW Aberdeen Reformed (1927), 1000 Aberdeen NW Richmond Reformed (1927), 1708 Richmond St NW Godwin Height CRC (1927), 3565 Jefferson Ave SE

1935 Only one new church was organized in this period. Creston PRC (1932), 224 Leonard St NE

1940 Southwest PRC moved to 1456 Ellen Ave SW and one new church was organized. Seymour CRC (1939), 1144 Hazen St SE