Iowa Church Celebrates ‘A Century of God’s Faithfulness’

Calvary Christian Reformed Church in Orange City, Iowa, celebrated its 100th anniversary Oct. 2 and 3. With a theme of “Celebrating A Century of God’s Faithfulness,” the anniversary committee chose Psalm 100 as a focus. Celebrations included a catered banquet, a game of “Calvary Trivia,” and a program of music and other contributions by various church members.

Brent Koops, member of Calvary, edited some videos for the evening presentation. In one, Calvary’s pastor, John Klompien, interviewed three centenarians who are members of the church: George Vogel, Bernice Noteboom, and Phares Lefever. They reflected on their time at Calvary CRC as well as recalling moments of the church’s beginning and stages of growth.

The church was first known as Second CRC and was renamed “Calvary” in July 1971. Noteboom has family members that were charter (founding) members of Second CRC. She spoke of her husband employing horses and a tractor to remove dirt and gravel from the site of the first church building before the 1937 church was built. Vogel talked about coming to the church with his parents in 1930 when English, and not Dutch, became the primary language used in worship services. The current church building was dedicated on Sept. 21, 1980.

On Sunday, Oct. 3, church members and guests gathered for two worship services. Pastor Jack Gray, minister of the church from 1989-2001, preached. The church’s choir and an ensemble of brass instruments provided music. Former pastors Edward Blankespoor, who pastored Calvary from 1971 to 1977, and David Heilman (2002-2012) and former missionaries Jan and Darlene Van Ee also attended and brought greetings.

Michael Krommendyk, a church member who served on the anniversary committee, said the planning helped him to recall important dates, events, and people in his personal history at Calvary. “I enjoyed recalling how God used them to help train and instruct me in the faith, to bring me into relationship with Christ, and to encourage me in my walk with God,” Krommendyk said. “God is faithful, and it is fitting for us to remember and celebrate what he has done and the lives he has touched through the people of Calvary CRC over the past 100 years.”