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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Meeting Minutes of the Consistory of the First Reformed Church
G. Wakker, William Buursma, and Althea Buursma
Elder de Bruin was elected chairman of the consistory meeting of the First Reformed Church in the absence of Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte. The members of the consistory mourned the death of Deacon Albert [Aldert?] Plugger who had served as a deacon "since the beginning of the Dutch settlement..." The painting of the church was completed. Kieft was appointed to replace Plugger on the building committee.
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Meeting Minutes of the Consistory of the First Reformed Church
G. Wakker, William Buursma, and Althea Buursma
Elder Teunis Keppel was chosen chairman of the consistory meeting of the First Reformed Church. New members were received and some transferred out including the membership of W. te Winkel who transferred "to the Second Church."Kommer Schaddelee asked to be received again at Pillar Church. A committee was appointed concerning his return to the congregation. The consistory spent most of the time of the meeting to discuss another major problem with members of the congregation.
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Meeting Minutes of the Consistory of the First Reformed Church
G. Wakker, William Buursma, and Althea Buursma
Elder Teunis Keppel was elected chairman of the consistory meeting of the First Reformed Church in the absence of Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte. A committee of women who clean the church requested that the consistory pay for the expenses of cleaning so that the women did not have to beg to raise the money needed. The interior of the church also needed to be painted. The consistory would make a decision about this. The building committee reported that it would cost $500 to paint and whitewash the church. The consistory also decided to pay the expenses of cleaning the church, a proposal made by the women earlier in the meeting. D[irk] Broek wrote a pointed letter to the consistory stating that the church could not expect the students to preach for nothing since they cannot be expected to "live on air." He submitted a bill for $20.00 for his preaching on four Sundays in 1863 and 1864. The consistory refused to pay him and also let him know that it did not like the tone of his letter.
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Meeting Minutes of the Consistory of the First Reformed Church
G. Wakker, William Buursma, and Althea Buursma
Elder Kamper presided at the consistory meeting of the First Reformed Church in the absence of Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte. The Abraham Leenhouts family was received into membership. Elder Keppel reported that the Jan Binnekant family will continue to provide a home for Hubert Bottenberg for #1.25 a week plus room and board. It was decided to ask Rev. Stobbelaar to preach next Sunday.
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Meeting Minutes of the Consistory of the First Reformed Church
G. Wakker, William Buursma, and Althea Buursma
At a meeting of the consistory of the First Reformed Church at which Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte presided, a discussion was held concerning "those who are not attending the regular classes taught by the pastor." A class in the village was necessary but the pastor was in a "weakened condition" and thus not able to take on more responsibility.
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Meeting Minutes of the Consistory of the First Reformed Church
G. Wakker, William Buursma, and Althea Buursma
Elder Wilterdink was chosen as chairman of the consistory meeting of the First Reformed Church in the absence of Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte. A major problem between some members was again revisited. The Graafschap made a proposal that the pastor they would call could also serve at the Pillar Church in some way. A committee was appointed to examine this proposal.
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Meeting Minutes of the Consistory of the First Reformed Church
G. Wakker, William Buursma, and Althea Buursma
Elder Labots was elected chairman of the consistory meeting of the First Reformed Church in the absence of Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte. Several young ladies appeared to make confession of faith including Marie [Mary?] Van Raalte. Some consistory men considered them too young to be admitted but after discussion, they were admitted to the Lord's Table. Communion will be served on the 23rd.
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Meeting Minutes of the Consistory of the First Reformed Church
G. Wakker, William Buursma, and Althea Buursma
In the absence of Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte, Elder Kamper was elected chair of the consistory meeting of the First Reformed Church. New members were received and routine matters were dealt with.
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Meeting Minutes of the Consistory of the First Reformed Church
G. Wakker, William Buursma, and Althea Buursma
Elder de Bruin was elected chairman of the consistory meeting of the First Reformed Church in the absence of Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte. The building committee was mandated to have the church and its interior painted and whitewashed.
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Meeting Minutes of the Consistory of the First Reformed Church
G. Wakker, William Buursma, and Althea Buursma
Elder Teunis Keppel opened the consistory meeting of the First Reformed Church with prayer in the absence of Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte. The clerk, G. Wakker, did not record who was elected chairman of the meeting. The books of the church were reviewed and appeared to be in good order. It was expressed that house visitation and regular catechism instruction were needed. The consistory hoped that the pastor would soon resume his work.
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Meeting Minutes of the Consistory of the First Reformed Church
G. Wakker, William Buursma, and Althea Buursma
Elder Wilterdink was appointed chairman for the consistory meeting of the First Reformed Church in the absence of Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte. A committee reported on Kommer Schaddelee and he was readmitted to membership in the congregation. Plans were also laid for the raising of finds for salary and parsonage of a pastor.
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Meeting Minutes of the Consistory of the First Reformed Church
G. Wakker, William Buursma, and Althea Buursma
Elder Labots was elected chairman of the consistory meeting of the First Reformed Church in the absence of the pastor, Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte. The discussion of a major problem among some church members consumed most of the meeting. The membership of Johanna Marie [Van Raalte] Oggel was received from Pella, Iowa. The transfer was dated 7 December 1863.
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Meeting Minutes of the Consistory of the First Reformed Church
G. Wakker, William Buursma, and Althea Buursma
At a meeting of the consistory of the First Reformed Church, Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte was back to preside at the meeting. The pastor acknowledged that there was enough work to have two pastors but he did not consider it advisable to make a connection with the Graafschap congregation as proposed at the previous consistory meeting. The pastor felt the Pillar Church congregation should be divided into two congregations instead. Van Raalte gave an indication that the Pillar congregation could give some assistance to Graafschap to obtain a parsonage.
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Meeting Minutes of the Consistory of the First Reformed Church
G. Wakker, William Buursma, and Althea Buursma
At a meeting of the consistory of the First Reformed Church, Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte was back and presided at the meeting. The only item on the agenda was to discuss the need for a second pastor because the congregation was widely dispersed and because of the continuing weakness and ill health of the pastor. "There was, however, the feeling that it would be very difficult to find a pastor who meets the requirements of the congregation." Several names of possible candidates were given.
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Meeting Minutes of the Consistory of the First Reformed Church
G. Wakker, William Buursma, and Althea Buursma
At a meeting of the consistory of the First Reformed Church at which Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte presided, it was reported that the work on the balcony would be completed and that the seats could be rented soon. The matter of infant baptism came up again in reference to the acceptance of some new members.
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Meeting Minutes of the Consistory of the First Reformed Church
G. Wakker, William Buursma, and Althea Buursma
In the absence of Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte, Elder Teunis Keppel was chosen to chair this meeting of the consistory of the First Reformed Church. Several problems had to be dealt with. F. Beeuwkes and his wife were received from the Alto, Wisconsin, congregation.
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Meeting Minutes of the Consistory of the First Reformed Church
G. Wakker, William Buursma, and Althea Buursma
At a meeting of the consistory of the First Reformed Church at which Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte presided, the pastor said that on the advice of his doctors, he must have a rest. He could resign as pastor or he could give up all pastoral duties except preaching on Sundays. The consistory approved a proposal that he give up the pastoral work for six months and then consult with consistory on the next step. The consistory thought he should give up preaching for two months but the pastor preferred to continue because "preaching does not cause him that much difficulty." It was decided that he would preach only once on Sunday and that Rev. Pieter Oggel take over his catechism classes.
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A Contract for A Co-Partnership Between Warren Wilder, Albertus C. Van Raalte and Albertus Van Raalte for a Business Selling Lumber and Shingles.
Warren Wilder, Albertus Van Raalte, A. C. Van Raalte, and Mary Otterness
A contract for a co-partnership between Warren Wilder, Albertus C. Van Raalte and Albertus Van Raalte for a business selling lumber and shingles. The company shall be known as Wilder and Company. Each partner invested $1,500 in the business.
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An Agreement Between A. C. V. R. and His Son with Warren Wilder, Dissolving Their Partnership Which Had Been Made on March 16, 1864
Warren Wilder, A. Van Raalte, A. C. Van Raalte, and Mary Otterness
An agreement between A.C.V.R. and his son with Warren Wilder, dissolving their partnership which had been made on March 16, 1864.
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Meeting of the School Board of the Holland Academy
Adrian Zwemer
At this meeting of the School Board of the Holland Academy, the principal, Rev. Philip Phelps. Jr. was present but Dr. Albertus C. Van Raalte was not. In the absence of the president, Rev. Roelof Pieters, took the chair. It was noted in Article 7 that "Rev. Ph. Phelps would take on his own responsibility, the books on hand, to be sold by him, in retail, to the students, which would relieve the Board of a present debt of about $ 104." The photocopy of these minutes are poor because the paper on which they were written was dark.
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Meeting of the School Board of the Holland Academy
Adrian Zwemer
At this meeting of the School Board of the Holland Academy, the absence of the Wisconsin people was noted because some business of the board was "detained" due to their absence. Dr. Albertus C. Van Raalte was one of the attendees at this meeting. James Zwemer, son of Rev. Adrian Zwemer, secretary of the board, would now be supported by the board instead of his family because of his father's services to the Classis.
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Meeting of the School Board of the Holland Academy
Adrian Zwemer
At this meeting of the School Board of the Holland Academy, attendance was good and attendees included Rev. Philip Phelps Jr. and Dr. Albertus C. Van Raalte. The representative from the Classis of Wisconsin in the person of Rev. Seine Bolks from Roseland, Chicago, was present. These minutes did not copy well due to the color of the paper of the notebook in which the minutes were recorded.
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Meeting of the School Board of the Holland Academy
Adrian Zwemer
At this meeting of the School Board of the Holland Academy, the good attendance included those of Rev. Philip Phelps Jr. and Dr. Albertus C. Van Raalte. Rev. Christian Vander Veen took the chair in the absence of the president. Henry, the son of Rev. H. G. Klein, was admitted. His father promised to pay $50 a year to cover some expenses. Expenses to attend the academy included the washing and mending of the bedclothes.
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A Copy of the Program of the "Public Exercises at the Laying of the Keel of the NEW MISSIONARY SHIP at Holland, Black Lake, Michigan, Friday, June 24, 1864."
Samuel Zwemer
A copy of the program of the "Public Exercises at the Laying of the Keel of the NEW MISSIONARY SHIP at Holland, Black Lake, Michigan, Friday, June 24, 1864."
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The General Synod of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church in Newburgh, New York
Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte and Rev. Philip Phelps are delegates to the General Synod of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church in Newburgh, New York. They are the only delegates this year from the Classis of Holland.
