First Christian Reformed Church in Ripon, Calif., recognized its 100th anniversary this year with celebrations spread from February to September. Begun with 29 people on February 4, 1918, the church had grown to over 80 families by 1924; over the years it planted three churches and now operates out of a building that was renovated three years ago. The overall theme for the anniversary celebrations is “He is faithful, generation to generation,” based on Psalm 100:5.
Cheryl Steesman, a member of the organizing committee for the anniversary activities, remarked, “We can truly say that God has been faithful to our congregation. There are families here whose children are the sixth generation of some of our charter members, while others have scattered across the continent and are serving God in a multitude of ways.”
Modesto (Calif.) CRC (1936); Immanuel CRC in Ripon (1946); and Escalon (Calif.) CRC (1949) all formed as a result of planting efforts by First CRC.
First CRC’s February celebrations included a gourmet hamburger dinner and church member talent show, which they used to benefit a 3-year-old in the congregation who was undergoing treatment for cancer. In March they held another churchwide dinner, displaying some of the older memorabilia and featuring greetings from past members and oversees missionaries. A church picnic is planned for September for all past or current members.
About the Author
Dan Veeneman works in the dairy industry as a ventilation specialist. He lives in Abbotsford, B.C., with his wife and three children. He is a member of Gateway Community Church.