Elton J. Bruins, long-time professor in the Department of Religion at Hope College, spent years collecting documents by and about Albertus C. Van Raalte, founder of Holland, Michigan and early patron of Hope College. Documents were gathered from dozens of public and private collections, making a nearly exhaustive collection of Van Raalte's writings and reflections. It is these documents that make up the "Van Raalte Papers."
Digitizing the Van Raalte papers was supported by the Dutch Culture USA program by the Consulate General of the Netherlands in New York. The project was done in partnership with Heritage Hall at Calvin University, which also digitized its Van Raalte collections.
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It Was Reported to the General Synod of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church That Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte Sent a Communication
It was reported to the General Synod of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church that Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte sent a communication to the synod recommending "certain young men in the Classis of Holland for aid from the Beneficiary Funds of the Church, which was referred to the Committee on the Professorate."
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Report in the New York Observer and Chronicle
The New York Observer and Chronicle reported on the meeting of the General Synod of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church that met in Hudson, New York. Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte was appointed to the committee on the Widow's Fund.
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Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte Purchased Six Lots in the Village of Holland for $19.34
Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte purchased six lots in the Village of Holland for $19.34. The lots were sold for unpaid taxes.
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Meeting Minutes of the Consistory of the First Reformed Church
William Buursma
Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte was not present at this meeting of the Consistory of the First Reformed Church. The consistory elected Labots to serve as president. The time was spent with charges that had been brought against consistory members by Veneklaas[sen?] and Rabbers. Veneklaas is severely chastised for his unproven charges. Labots closed the meeting with prayer. The clerk's name is not given.
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Meeting Minutes of the Consistory of the First Reformed Church
William Buursma
Again in the absence of Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte, Labots apparently was presiding since he had the closing prayer. The whole meeting was taken up with matters concerning Deacon de Weerd who had been charged with wrongdoing at the last meeting of the consistory. Veneklaas did make public confession of his sin before the congregation on the Lord's Day following the last meeting. But the members of the consistory were concerned that many people in the congregation have something against de Weerd. The consistory proposed that de Weerd resign his position as deacon the next Sunday to which he agreed.
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Meeting Notes of the Consistory of the First Reformed Church
William Buursma
Several matters came before the Consistory of the First Reformed Church at its meeting on this date. Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte, elders Jonker, Wilterdink, Labots, Appeldoorn, and Hekhuis and deacons Wilterdink, Keppel, and Plugger were present. They first dealt with a complaint of Grootehuis against Kooijers. There was concern expressed about the neglect of family visitation. Jonker explained the delay in the measuring of cemetery lots. The church in Grand Haven requested a classical preaching appointment. The disagreement between Van Raalte and elder Broek at the previous meeting of the consistory was clarified.
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A Receipt from Robert Carter & Brothers, Publishers and Booksellers, to the "Holland Church Library" in the Amount of $45.00.
Robert Carter
A receipt from Robert Carter & Brothers, publishers and booksellers, 285 Broadway, N.Y., to the "Holland Church Library" in the amount of $45.00. Twenty-eight volumes had been purchased by A.C.V.R. for the library of First Reformed Church.
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A Letter to Col. J. J. Abert, Chief Topl. Engineer from J. D. Graham
J. D. Graham and Nella Kennedy
A letter to Col. J. J. Abert, Chief Topl. Engineer, Washington [DC] from J. D. Graham, reported on the harbors on the east side of Lake Michigan, including the Holland Harbor. Graham is proposing how much money needed to be appropriated in order to continue the work on these harbors.
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Photocopy of the Cover of a Pamphlet Once Owned by Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte
A. Hellenbroek
This item is a photocopy of the cover of a pamphlet once owned by Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte. The information on the cover reads as follows in translation from the Dutch: Example of Divine Truths For the Common People Who Prepare Themselves for Confession of Faith; Had to be Compiled For Special Benefit by A. Hellenbroek, during his life minister of the holy gospel in Rotterdam and published by H. H. Kemink and Son, Utrecht. Inside the cover is written A. van Raalte, 1854.
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"Graduation Act of August 4, 1854"
Thos. Hendricks
-Graduation Act of August 4, 1854" issued by Thos. Hendricks, Commissioner, of the office of Register and Receiver of the General Land Office. The act was circulated again? on April 7, 1856.
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A Report in De Hollander That Was Reported in the Christian Intelligencer
Simone Kennedy
It was reported in De Hollander that the Christian Intelligencer reported that Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte "received a honorable membership in the Mission Board of the General Synod of the Hollands Gereformeerde Church, via the Ladies Home Missions Foundation. Our pastor accepted the honor."
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News Note in De Hollander
Simone Kennedy
A news note in De Hollander said that "Last Monday the building of our new church [Pillar Church] was contracted out to our friends Verbeek, Vennema, Zalsman and Slink, who accepted the work for $1700."
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News Note in De Hollander
Simone Kennedy
A news note in De Hollander said that Hoyt G. Post's position would be taken by someone else. "We cannot tell if this transfer will be beneficial for the Colony. This is what we know: Hoyt G. Post has done many good things for our Settlement and has always been of great assistance to our non-English speaking Dutch when they had to deal with court cases and other issues."
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Report in De Hollander
Simone Kennedy
It was reported in De Hollander on this date that the consistory of the First Reformed Church decided "to build a large, new and very efficeint church in this town." Fund raising has already begun.
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Report in De Hollander
Simone Kennedy
It was reported in De Hollander on this date that although the Whig party campaigned "tirelessly," the Democratic majority was maintained by 46 because the pastors, elders, and deacons of the First Reformed Church aided the party. But the Republicans had the majority in Zeeland although the editor did not have the precise numbers.
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Several Items of Interest to the Citizens of Holland Were Published in This Issue of De Hollander
Simone Kennedy
Several items of interest to the citizens of Holland were published in this issue of De Hollander. The new sanctuary of the First Reformed Church [Pillar Church] was progressing well. The roof was almost finished and the skeleton of the tower was in place. The opportunity to become a citizen is possible at the next session of the court in Grand Haven. A certificate of declaration and fifty cents were the only requirements. On Saturday, 7 October, the Democratic caucus would take place. On Friday, 6 October, General Lewis Cass would be giving a speech in Grand Haven.
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Minutes of the Meeting of the Classis of Holland
Hendrik Klein and A. C. Van Raalte
Minutes of the meeting of theClassis of Holland in the Zeeland church. Rev. Hendrik Klein is president "in order of succession" and Albertus C. Van Raalte is clerk. Major items are: It was determined that Roman Catholics are not to be supported with Classis funds for emigration. Roman Catholics "are constantly dangerous for religious and civil liberty, since they are by their faith and religion bound to intrigue so as to transfer all authority into the hands of the Pope of Rome." 160-1 The Rev. John N. Schultz, of Centreville, was present as a representative of the Classis of Michigan and brought greetings. Rev. Cornelius Vander Meulen reported that the Polkton [Coopersville] congregation has been organized. Van Raalte, a delegate to the General Synod, reported that the word Dutch was retained in the title of the Reformed Church. "The Synod also approved, by a unanimous vote, the request of the Classis to send to the Village of Holland a preacher for the Americans, to whom at the same time could be committed the care for the English Academy." 164 TheClassis of Wisconsin is being organized. Mr. Taylor has left the school and Rev. Crispell appointed. Hope is expressed that he will accept the call. In regard to baptism, adults who have been baptized but have not made confession of faith are entitled to be married by the minister and their children have right to baptism. "Further, (the assembly feels) that in the church the children are too little regarded as members,..." 167
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Note Published in De Hollander
Abraham Krabshuis and Nella Kennedy
Abraham Krabshuis had a note published in De Hollander that he hoped that a little book on the articles of the Synod of Dort would be published by the paper. In a note following Krabshuis's, the publisher said he was happy to do that if the money could be raised to fund the project. The date of the newspaper is 12 (?) January 1854
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David McNeish, Stated Clerk of the Classis of Michigan, Wrote the Board of the Education of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church As Well As the Board of Domestic Missions.
David McNeish
David McNeish, stated clerk of the Classis of Michigan, wrote the Board of the Education of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church as well as the Board of Domestic Missions. [See file, same date.] Resolution one of the classis was: "That this Classis urge upon our Board of Education the necessity of establishing in the Village of Holland an Academy in which can be taught the pious youth of the Churches who have the ministry or teaching as a profession in view." The second resolution read: "That it be recommended to the B. of Edn to confer with our Board of Dom. Miss. With regard to the propriety of appointing a minister of our church to teach [in] such Academy & preach, in English, once each Sabbath." McNeish followed with a lengthy rationale for the request. He said that the Colony now numbered six thousand people in addition to the number of immigrants in Wisconsin and Illinois.
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A Receipt for $2.00 Which A. C. V. R. Contributed to the American Bible Society
Alex W. Murray
A receipt for $2.00 which A.C.V.R. contributed to the American Bible Society. Signed by Alex. W. Murray for the Assistant Treasurer.
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Letter from Mr. John C. Post to Mr. Doesburg Published in De Hollander
John C. Post and Simone Kennedy
A letter written by a Mr. John C. Post of Buffalo to Mr. H. Doesburg in Holland, Michigan, was published in De Hollander. Post informed Doesburg that "we" had been blessed by a visit of Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte on Friday, the 23rd of June. The next evening, they were happy to visit with the Rev. W. C. Wust who was passing through. Wust was prevailed upon to preach there on Sunday.
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Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte Received a Receipt from J. Quintus, Editor of the Sheboygan Nieuwsbode for a Year's Subscription for $1.50.
J. Quintus and Henry ten Hoor
Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte received a receipt from J. Quintus, editor of the Sheboygan Nieuwsbode for a year's subscription for $1.50.
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The Request of the Classis of Holland for Permission That the Teacher in the Holland Academy be Allowed to Serve as Missionary to Preach in the English Language
The Classis of Holland
The request of the Classis of Holland for permission that the teacher in the Holland Academy be allowed to serve as missionary to preach in the English language.
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Letter by the "Inhabitants of Kalamazoo" Published in De Sheboygan Niemvsbode
"The Inhabitants of Kalamazoo"
A letter signed by "The Inhabitants of Kalamazoo" and published in De Sheboygan Niemvsbode, July 11, 1854, saying that life in Kalamazoo was much better than in the Holland Colony. This letter was written in response to one written by A. Steketee, on June 14, 1854, and published in De Hollander. Steketee claims that life in the Holland settlement is good and does not feel it fair to criticize the colony.
