Pioneer Christian Monthly - September, 1974

First Reformed Church of Hamilton 1949-1974
Anniversary Committee

On October 11, 1974 the congregation of the First Reformed Church of Hamilton will be celebrating the 25th anniversary of its organization as a congregation of the Reformed Church in America. A better date could not have been selected back in 1949 as a true cause for thanksgiving a quarter century later. There is gratitude first of all for the work of the R.C.A. ministers who helped the many families and young people from different areas and backgrounds - strangers in a strange land and to each other to get settled here and assemble them in a congregation, teaching them to -sing the praise of their Lord and Redeemer in the songs of this land. There is recognition for their leadership and for the type of organization they introduced, which involved and challenged all the members in the work of the church. They advised, but did not impose their preferences on the decisions the first consistories had to make. They secured the building funds, but allowed the congregation to build a house of worship.

Not all the families who came to Hamilton settled here, many moved on or simply left the church, restless men, who expected to find their pot of gold over the next hill or in the next city or church, but those who remained formed ties of friendship. As the congregation assembled around God's Word each Sunday and shared each other's joys and sorrows, a mutual respect and a sense of belonging developed. Through the years this fellowship has grown precious to the members as a symbol of eternal heavenly glory.

Secondly there is gratitude that for the past 25 years the Gospel was preached to this congregation every Sunday and taught to all age groups. The loneliness of the immigrants was lessened by the assurance of God's presence, the frustration of new jobs overcome by the reminder of the higher purpose of life and through the times of rich blessings and plenty the warning not to forget the Lord Who gave it all.

A quarter century of worship surely is the greatest guiding force in the lives of an entire congregation of people. Even a superficial study of the statistics gives an impression of the impact which this church has had. The number of young couples who started their marriage by exchanging vows before God and His people in the sanctuary, the children who were baptized while their parents were assured of the eternal covenant of Grace and forgiveness, these figures give proof of the great commission this church has in the Master's Service.

LOOKING AHEAD: Anniversaries are not only occasions to look back to count the many blessings of the past, but also to see the position of the church today and to look ahead at the task -of the church in the future. There are those who express concern for the conservative character in the congregation, the desire to maintain the church organizations in the initial immigration status and therefore opposing changes, accepting losses in membership as inevitable. This is seen as an obstacle to growth and development in the direction of a community church serving the needs of the Westdale district people and McMaster University campus.

The future of the First Reformed Church offers a great challenge to all the members alike, for example, to praise their Creator in choirs and groups for all ages, voices and instruments, secondly to study the scriptures to find the Word and Will of God for life in the seventies and also to bring into the fellowship of this church those people for whom the Reformed tradition has a special appeal over other denominations, encouraging them to take a vital part in its worship and work. This challenge can be accepted only if sufficient opportunities are given to individual members and to groups to assume clearly defined responsibilities working towards well understood objectives and goals. Where such conditions prevail reasonable accomplishment, commitment, and growth may be expected.

CELEBRATIONS: How must this silver anniversary have adequate expression? Besides the special worship services and meetings to commemorate the organization of the church there are also some projects being undertaken as a lasting memory of this occasion. The music committee of consistory is installing a pipe organ in the sanctuary to improve the praise of the worship and to guide the musical talents of children towards sacred music. The anniversary committee is attempting to record the early history of the congregation and the experiences of the first members, why they left their homeland, how they arrived here and What brought them together to build a house of worship and to fellowship together. This is being done to prevent the veil of the forgotten past from covering the circumstances surrounding the time of the organization and young people may have a better understanding of their church home today.

The special worship services on October 13 are being planned with the participation of the former pastors, Rev. Harri Zegerius, Rev. Jelle van kuiken, Rev. Dr. Joh. Bekkering and Rev. Victor Ebert. A congregational celebration day on October 11 will have a variety of program items in cooperation with all the church organizations. On October 12 a reunion of the 1949-1955 Senior Youth Fellowship will be held.

As many memories will be recollected, many blessings are being counted, and commitments renewed in faith and many prayers of thanksgiving rise from the hearts of grateful people, it will be sung in chorus:

TO GOD BE THE GLORY, GREAT THINGS HE HAS DON-E.

Submitted by the Anniversary Committee

Please click the "Back" button of your browser to return to previous page.