South Dakota Church Celebrates 125 Years

The New Holland (S.D.) Christian Reformed Church celebrated its 125th anniversary earlier this year.

Under the theme “We’ve Come This Far by Faith,” celebrations included a picnic and a video of older members sharing memories of earlier days.

The church started in 1883 when the Dakota Territory was opened to homesteading. People came from all over the United States, and some came from the Netherlands. Dutch settlers often held Dutch-language worship services in their homes.

Six former pastors greeted the congregants during the celebrations. A special service included hymns in Dutch and was led by New Holland’s current pastor, Rev. Don Cowart.