Charter Members of the Borculo Christian Reformed Church established 1883.
This picture was taken for the Fiftieth Anniversary in 1933.
Deacons in the back row: J. Schout, G. Talsma, G. Boetsma, H. Goodijk, G. Steigenga, L. Luurtsma
Elders: B. De Roo, J. Ammeraal, A. Machiela, Rev. A. De Vries, J. H. Morsink, H. Stremler, G. Meppelink
This picture and the next were taken in 1958, at the 75th Anniversary. This is the North half of the congregation, and below is the South half.
Greater Consistory, Borculo Christian Reformed Church, 1958
Top Row - John Bussis, Peter Walters, Martin Essenburg, John Boetsma, Gerrit Boetsma, James Steigenga, Joe De Roo, Clarence DeVries, John Essenburg, Simon Vollink
3rd Row - Gerrit Bos, William Gruppen, John Ammeraal, Harry Petroelje, Henry Goodyke, George Vanden Bosch, Louis Vollink, John Kraai, Gerrit Meppelink.
2nd Row - Joe Blauwkamp, Albert DeRoo, Reynold Koop, Nick Ouwenga, Albert Brunink, James Sall, Bernard Grassmid, Delvin Huisingh, Fred Machiela, John Luurtsema.
1st Row - Ben Brunink, Gerrit Steigenga, Edward Gruppen, Frank Walters, Chester Grassmid, Albert J. A. Bosch, Henry J. Blauwkamp, Johannes Schout.
Top Row - John Bussis, Peter Walters, Martin Essenburg, John Boetsma, Gerrit Boetsma, James Steigenga, Joe De Roo, Clarence DeVries, John Essenburg, Simon Vollink
3rd Row - Gerrit Bos, William Gruppen, John Ammeraal, Harry Petroelje, Henry Goodyke, George Vanden Bosch, Louis Vollink, John Kraai, Gerrit Meppelink.
2nd Row - Joe Blauwkamp, Albert DeRoo, Reynold Koop, Nick Ouwenga, Albert Brunink, James Sall, Bernard Grassmid, Delvin Huisingh, Fred Machiela, John Luurtsema.
1st Row - Ben Brunink, Gerrit Steigenga, Edward Gruppen, Frank Walters, Chester Grassmid, Albert J. A. Bosch, Henry J. Blauwkamp, Johannes Schout.
MEMORIES OF THE OLD BORCULO CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH
by
Gerrit Bos
The old church had one aisle in the center. Seats were against the wall on the north and also on the south side. There was paneling on the side walls about six feet from the floor. On every row of benches there was a light spot on the paneling where the men had put their heads. The old church had a balcony, for quite a while the organ was up there. Later on it was moved downstairs. You went up the balcony from the south side. There were two square pillars to hold up the balcony. The front of the inside of the church had benches along the side. The elders sat on the right side of the minister which was the north side. The deacons sat on the left side. The black collection bags with a long handle like a hay-fork would also be hanging there. Taking collection was not as easy as it is today. One had to be careful when pulling back the bag with the handle not to come straight out the aisle. If you did, you might hit somebody in the head in the other aisle. I saw it happen one morning! One man was very upset with the deacon. Quite a few people would put silver dollars, which were plentiful in those days, in the bag.
Several men would sit on the end of the benches. These men would not move over. If you wanted to sit in any of these benches, you had to climb over top of them like a mountain goat. Ladies did not sit with the men in church. When the family got older, the big boys would sit with the father or by themselves in the back of the church. A few of the men got bold and went to sit with their wives. They were classified as sissys.
High above the east wall of the church there was written a text out of the Dutch Bible. For many years it was up there.."De Vreze des Herre is het beginsel derr wijsheid. (The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom) Ps. 111:10; Prov. 9:10
When I think back over the years I think of Rev. P. Kosten. I don't remember when he was pastor in Borculo, but I do remember him preaching in our church a few times. He was a very short man. He always had to stand on a special platform so he could look over the pulpit. I have been told he was a powerful preacher--all in Dutch. Jay Vander Plaats, who formerly owned Jay's Restaurant would talk to my wife and me about Rev. Kosten as Jay had to say Grandpa to Rev. Kosten. My wife was baptized by Rev. Kosten. Her name is Petilda. She was baptized Bay Tilda.
Rev. T. Vander Ark also came and preached for us a few times. How that man could sing -- a powerful tenor voice and all in Dutch. He could sing almost as good as Steve Kraai.
When I was a boy, I would see these elders sit on the right side of the minister and the deacons on the left. I thought, "I never want to be a deacon." In the Bible it is written the sheep would be on the right side and goats on the left. I never wanted to be a goat. But I got that out of my head some years later as I also was a deacon. That was in the new church. The elders and deacons sat in two benches on the north side. Several Sundays we would not have a minister to preach for us. Then an elder would read a sermon in Dutch. A few of the elders would have a Fries brogue when they would read. There were some families that would not put the money for the minster's salary in the collection bag. The deacons had to go to their homes to pick it up. They were liberal givers. Being in the consistory could turn out to be a life time job. Some were in year after year. There was no such thing as being in for three years and then out for two years.
Some years ago the Ladies Aid made a beautiful quilt to sell. The minister had in mind to auction it off in the sanctuary. But the ladies wanted no part of that. That was a sight to behold -- the minister pulling on the quilt on one end, and a group of ladies on the other end. The sparks flew. But the ladies won. Women are lovable creatures, but don't get them riled up! The minister said the church sanctuary was just like any other building during the week. You could have cows upstairs or even hold a dance. I guess the minister thought he could have better tangled with a swarm of hornets.
There have been several changes since years ago. Years ago if a minister had a classical appointment in Borculo, He would come Saturday afternoon, and go back on Monday morning. So he would have to travel on Sunday, he stayed by one of the elders. Mom and I remember if any member, or baptized member broke any of the Ten Commandments, you not only confessed your sin before the consistory, but you also had to stand in front of church Sunday and confess it before the congregation. Al the elders and deacons would stand up during the long prayer of the minister. This was done a good many years, and even in the new church for a while.
by
Gerrit Bos
The old church had one aisle in the center. Seats were against the wall on the north and also on the south side. There was paneling on the side walls about six feet from the floor. On every row of benches there was a light spot on the paneling where the men had put their heads. The old church had a balcony, for quite a while the organ was up there. Later on it was moved downstairs. You went up the balcony from the south side. There were two square pillars to hold up the balcony. The front of the inside of the church had benches along the side. The elders sat on the right side of the minister which was the north side. The deacons sat on the left side. The black collection bags with a long handle like a hay-fork would also be hanging there. Taking collection was not as easy as it is today. One had to be careful when pulling back the bag with the handle not to come straight out the aisle. If you did, you might hit somebody in the head in the other aisle. I saw it happen one morning! One man was very upset with the deacon. Quite a few people would put silver dollars, which were plentiful in those days, in the bag.
Several men would sit on the end of the benches. These men would not move over. If you wanted to sit in any of these benches, you had to climb over top of them like a mountain goat. Ladies did not sit with the men in church. When the family got older, the big boys would sit with the father or by themselves in the back of the church. A few of the men got bold and went to sit with their wives. They were classified as sissys.
High above the east wall of the church there was written a text out of the Dutch Bible. For many years it was up there.."De Vreze des Herre is het beginsel derr wijsheid. (The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom) Ps. 111:10; Prov. 9:10
When I think back over the years I think of Rev. P. Kosten. I don't remember when he was pastor in Borculo, but I do remember him preaching in our church a few times. He was a very short man. He always had to stand on a special platform so he could look over the pulpit. I have been told he was a powerful preacher--all in Dutch. Jay Vander Plaats, who formerly owned Jay's Restaurant would talk to my wife and me about Rev. Kosten as Jay had to say Grandpa to Rev. Kosten. My wife was baptized by Rev. Kosten. Her name is Petilda. She was baptized Bay Tilda.
Rev. T. Vander Ark also came and preached for us a few times. How that man could sing -- a powerful tenor voice and all in Dutch. He could sing almost as good as Steve Kraai.
When I was a boy, I would see these elders sit on the right side of the minister and the deacons on the left. I thought, "I never want to be a deacon." In the Bible it is written the sheep would be on the right side and goats on the left. I never wanted to be a goat. But I got that out of my head some years later as I also was a deacon. That was in the new church. The elders and deacons sat in two benches on the north side. Several Sundays we would not have a minister to preach for us. Then an elder would read a sermon in Dutch. A few of the elders would have a Fries brogue when they would read. There were some families that would not put the money for the minster's salary in the collection bag. The deacons had to go to their homes to pick it up. They were liberal givers. Being in the consistory could turn out to be a life time job. Some were in year after year. There was no such thing as being in for three years and then out for two years.
Some years ago the Ladies Aid made a beautiful quilt to sell. The minister had in mind to auction it off in the sanctuary. But the ladies wanted no part of that. That was a sight to behold -- the minister pulling on the quilt on one end, and a group of ladies on the other end. The sparks flew. But the ladies won. Women are lovable creatures, but don't get them riled up! The minister said the church sanctuary was just like any other building during the week. You could have cows upstairs or even hold a dance. I guess the minister thought he could have better tangled with a swarm of hornets.
There have been several changes since years ago. Years ago if a minister had a classical appointment in Borculo, He would come Saturday afternoon, and go back on Monday morning. So he would have to travel on Sunday, he stayed by one of the elders. Mom and I remember if any member, or baptized member broke any of the Ten Commandments, you not only confessed your sin before the consistory, but you also had to stand in front of church Sunday and confess it before the congregation. Al the elders and deacons would stand up during the long prayer of the minister. This was done a good many years, and even in the new church for a while.
Sunday School picnic 1930. Men and women were photographed separately. I think I recognize some of these people, but it would be just a guess. If someone can identify some, please contact me.
The next set of pictures is of the 1949 Church Picnic
The above picture was split into 4 parts as seen in the next 4 pictures.
The above picture was split into 4 parts as seen in the next 4 pictures.
Front Row and those seated behind the front row: Left to Right:
Alden Walters, Tom VandenHeuvel, John Weenum, Ken Vollink, Aust Weaver, ????, Jack Lamer, ????, Justin Gebben, Bob Vollink, Dale Bussis, ????, Art Kraai, ????, Hersch Weaver, Warren Koop, Gerrit Bos
Second Row (Standing):
Al DeRoo, ????, Marve Bosch, Henry Austof, Junior Huyser, Jerry Kraai, Pearline Bussis, Junior Blauwkamp, Ade Geurink, John Evenhuis?, ????, Gerry Koop, Frank Walters, Elmer Petroelje, Joe Wesseldyke, Reynold Koop, ????, Harvey Walters, Lou Vollink
The entire congregation attending the 1949 Sunday School Picnic. This picture and the one above were a single picture which I split in half to get it on the web page. Adults I recognize on this half are Gerrit Talsma, Jim Steginga, Joe DeRoo, Ed Gruppen, John and Lett Kraai, Mrs. Abe Diemer, John Essenburg, Gerrit Zuverink, Fred Machiela, Peter Bootsma, Gerrit Koop, Mae Koop, Kay Walters, Peter Walters, Simon Vollink, John Bussis, and Mrs. John Huyser. The children I recognize are:Beverly Bos, Gladys TenBroeke, Delores Weaver, Lucille Geurink, Audrey TenBroeke, Nelva Ten Broeke, Marcia DeRoo, Floyd Walters, Harve VandenBosch, Lee Gebben, Ruth Petroelje, Allen Petroelje, Bob Essenburg, Donna Klynstra, and Henry VandenHeuvel.
This won't be easy, but if you want to know the identification of each of the people who had their picture taken at the 1949 church picnic, this is how. The next 6 pictures will be the same as those above, but each person will have a number. Then under the six pictures will be a list of the numbers with names. This is only possible because of the Herculean effort of Deb Weaver Haak. Thanks Deb!
Rev.G. Van Gronigen and family, pastor in the 50's at Borculo Christian Reformed Church.
This is the Borculo Christian Reformed Church as it looked in 2012. When I lived in Borculo the church would be hidden by Vollink's Grocery, Lou Vollink's house, and Sim Vollink's house. They are now all gone.
A front view of the church in 2012.
Jacobus Klanderman was the first resident of Borculo and at one time the settlement was called Klandermanstadt rather than Borculo.