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
At a meeting of the consistory of the First Reformed Church at which Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte was in attendance, nominations were made for elders and deacons in preparation for the upcoming congregational meeting. The trio of [Roelof] Pieters, [Adrian] Zwemer, and C[hristian] Oggel was recommended. (Apparently the church had received a decline from Rev. Donner in the Netherlands.)
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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 read the protest concerning the Free Masons that would be sent to Second [Hope Reformed] Church. It was unanimously approved. The break-up of a marriage of a family in the congregation was discussed.
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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 committee reported on proposed locations of the additional church in the village. One site was past the English Church [Hope Reformed?] and a site of four lots owned by the Van Raaltes [at Twelfth Street and Pine Avenue]. Final decision on location would be decided by the congregation. A sketch of the proposed new church building was provided by Messrs. Klijn, Minderhout, and Hofman.
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Meeting Minutes of the School Board of the Holland Academy
Adrian Zwemer
Dr. Albertus C. Van Raalte was present at this meeting of the School Board of the Holland Academy on this date although the year was not given again but its place in the minute book would indicate that the year is 1867. One issue concerned a student who was admitted on trial for three months because at the age of eighteen, still understood any English. But he did well and could continue with support of the board. It was moved that a report of this meeting be printed in De Hope.
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The Meeting of the School Board of the Holland Academy
Adrian Zwemer
At this meeting of the School Board of the Holland Academy, Dr. Albertus C. Van Raalte was not present nor Dr. Philip Phelps Jr. Apparently by this time, Dr. Phelps was no longer attending these meetings. Several student applications were dealt with. The student from Milwaukee, Loui[s] Kemink, was admitted and the family could meet the cost of the entire fee that was $50 for the year. The fee included the cost for books also. Pieter Bost of Vriesland was accepted as a student at the age of twenty because he wished to prepare for teaching school.
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The Acts and Proceedings of the Sixty General Synod of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church in North America, Convened in the City of New York, June,1866, Page 112
Dr. Albertus C. Van Raalte was appointed to a committee at this session of the General Synod of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church "to examine into the expediency and propriety" of removing the word Dutch from the name of the denomination. Other members of the committee were: Revs. H. D.Ganse, C. Van Santvoord, Thomas De Witt, and E. S. Porter, and elders S. B. Schieffelin, R. H. Pruyn, and J. R. Wortendyke. Van Raalte, in the Netherlands at this time, was the only delegate from the western part of the denomination appointed to the committee.
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Excerpts from the Minutes of the Classis of Holland Stating That Since Dr. Albertus C. Van Raalte Will Be Visiting the Netherlands That Summer, the Classis Credentials Him to Represent the Classis at the Synod of the Christian Secessionist Church of the Netherlands
William Buursma
Excerpts from the minutes of the Classis of Holland stating that since Dr. Albertus C. Van Raalte will be visiting the Netherlands that summer, the Classis credentials him to represent the Classis at the Synod of the Christian Secessionist Church of the Netherlands. Van Raalte is also appointed to represent the Classis of Holland at the meeting of the Evangelical Alliance which is meeting in Amsterdam in September.
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Report Published in De Hope
Editoral Staff and Simone Kennedy
A report, written on this date, was published in De Hope, Holland, Michigan, on June 21, about the attendance of the Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte at the synod of the Christian Separated Church in the Netherlands, the church which Van Raalte served from 1836 to 1846. Van Raalte was pleased with the welcome he received at the synod. The mother church now had 300 congregations and 80,000 members, much to Van Raalte's delight. Van Raalte was introduced to the assembly by his brother-in-law, Anthony Brummelkamp, and invited to address the assembly. He was pleased that the church in the Netherlands had done so well. V.R. related how in the early days the people were oppressed and trampled upon. Van Raalte made clear that the Reformed Church in America acknowledged the confessions of faith. Undoubtedly he was trying to counteract the Christian Reformed Church critics in the America who tried to discredit Van Raalte and the RCA in the Netherlands. In a news report in the Dutch paper, De Bazuin, Van Raalte was asked to stay as an advisor and was seated next to the seminary professors, indicating the high esteem he still held in the Netherlands.
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An Accounting of the Receipts and Expenses of the Holland Academy in De Hope Issue
Editor, Henry ten Hoor, and Nella Kennedy
In an issue of De Hope on this date, there was an accounting of the receipts and expenses of the Holland Academy. Twenty-seven congregations in Wisconsin such as Alto, Illinois such as Silver Creek, Pultneyville, New York, and most of the Dutch immigrant congregations in Michigan were contributors. The gifts amounted to $2,523.81 and the list of expenses indicated that the entire sum was used leaving yet a debt of $239.00. The funds supported from sixteen to nineteen students at the academy.
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The Document is a Receipt for Albertus C. Van Raalte's Subscription to "The Sower"
Wm. Ferris
The document is a receipt for Albertus C. Van Raalte's subscription to "The Sower." The cost of a year's subscription was $20.00. The receipt was signed by Wm. Ferris, Agent.
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A Report in the Holland Sentinel, Saturday, November 19, 1983, p. A7, Which Relates the Organization the Ebenezer Reformed Church
Darlene Groen Winter
A report in the Holland Sentinel, Saturday, November 19, 1983, p. A7, which relates the organization the Ebenezer Reformed Church. It was reported that Albertus Van Raalte and Teunis Keppel met with a group of people on this date to discuss the formation of a new congregation. On January 20, 1867, the new church was dedicated on the county line with the Rev. Van Raalte preaching the morning sermon and the Rev. Pieter J. Oggel, preaching the afternoon one.
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An Account of the First Inauguration at Hope College on This Date, and the First Commencement, July 17, 1866, in a College Publication Entitled, "Hope College Remembrancer"
Hope College
An account of the first inauguration at Hope College on this date, and the first commencement, July 17, 1866, in a college publication, entitled, Hope College Remembrancer. Albertus Van Raalte is not present for these significant occasions because he and Mrs. Van Raalte are visiting the Netherlands. [See p. 24.] People who gave speeches during the course of events were: Rev. Mancius S. Hutton, Rev. Isaac N. Wyckoff, Dr. Philip Phelps, Peter Moerdyk (gave his student oration in Latin) William B. Gilmore, Harm Woltman, William Moerdyk William A. Shields, John W. TeWinkle, (Dutch oration) Ale Buursma, and Gerrit Dangremond. The baccalaureate sermon is also printed, pp. 41-50, which was preached by President Phelps in the First Reformed Church. [The first commencement number is dedicated to Samuel B. Schieffelin of New York, a major donor to the college.] The college seal is pictured on the second page. The college chapel/gymnasium and two frame buildings are pictured on p. 21. The words of the college song were written by Philip Phelps and set to music by William G. Gilmore, p. 20.
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The Program of the First Commencement of Hope College
Hope College
The program of the first commencement of Hope College. The event was held in the Gymnasium that doubled as a chapel and a venue for events such as this. Each of the eight graduates presented an oration interspersed with music. Gerrit Dangemond gave the valedictory oration. The conferring of degrees concluded the program. There is no information as to the length of the great event.
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Ebenezer Jenkins Wrote to Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte Concerning Business Matters.
Ebenezer Jenkins
Ebenezer Jenkins wrote to Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte concerning business matters.
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In an Ad in De Hollander for "Carhart Improved Melodeons," Sold by Henry D. Post
Nella Kennedy
In an ad in De Hollander for "Carhart Improved Melodeons," sold by Henry D. Post on the northeast corner of River and Eighteh St., it was reported that several Holland families owned this item. Those mentioned were "Rev. Dr. A. C. Van Raalte, Mr. P. F. Pfanstiehl, Mr. Jan Visscher, Mr. C. Doesburg, Dr. J. E. Sutton and others who have one."
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A Report Appeared in De Hope On This Date, Entitled, "The Bazuin's Opinion"
Simone Kennedy
A report appeared in De Hope on this date, entitled, "The Bazuin 's Opinion," in which information was given about Dr. Albertus C. Van Raalte's appearance before the Synod of the Separatist Church during his visit that summer in the Netherlands. V.R. was questioned about the Dutch Reformed Church in America. V.R. explained why the immigrant churches united with the RCA, saying that this church was sound in doctrine. Its seeming difference from the Separatist Church was differences in manner "associated with the character of the country [USA]." The questioning of V.R. arose in part because the Christian Reformed Church had just organized its own congregation in Pella, Iowa, a division from the First Reformed Church there. V.R. appreciated the cordial reception he had at the synod.
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The Marriage Certificate of Johannes P. Oggel of Holland, 38 Years of Age and Magdalene De Vries of Holland, 28 Years of Age
Pieter J. Oggel
The marriage certificate of Johannes P. Oggel of Holland, 38 years of age and Magdalene de Vries of Holland, 28 years of age. Rev. Pieter J. Oggel officiated.
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Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte Paid $39.18 for Back Taxes On Four Properties in Ottawa County Totaling 580 Acres On This Date
Ottawa County
Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte paid $39.18 for back taxes on four properties in Ottawa County totaling 580 acres on this date. Since the taxes were paid at this time of the year rather than in January, these taxes were for tax delinquent properties presumably.
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A Report of Mr. W. Raman in De Bazuin
W. Raman
A report of Mr. W. Raman, of Hattem in De Bazuin, Kampen, about the visit of Albertus C. Van Raalte on September 7. It was a joy to see Ds. Van Raalte and hear from him about the early struggles in the Afscheiding movement. Van Raalte also preached in the Hervormde Kerk. The writer was touched by Van Raalte's visit and his preaching.
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A Letter to the Editor of De Hope from a Rev. Mr. W. Raman of the Netherlands Published This Date
W. Raman and Simone Kennedy
A letter to the editor of De Hope from a Rev. Mr. W. Raman of the Netherlands published this date. Mr. Raman reported on a visit with Dr. Albertus C. Van Raalte on September 7th. This person apparently had known V.R. well because he refers to their common suffering thirty years ago. "He [Raman] witnessed how his Honorable [V.R.] rejected the human ordinance to sing evangelical hymns in church, how he was forced out of his office as Reformed Minister for Jesus' honor and praise and for His sake." As to 'V.R.'s speaking at a prayer meeting, Raman wrote: "Never will we forget the words of Acts 11.5. How forceful and striking, how concise and powerful, how simple and moving were his words on this text! For the congregation and each person present his words were humbling, crushing and comforting at the same time." Raman reported that the Van Raaltes left for America from Rotterdam on September 14. Raman is a pastor and was at that meeting as well as a F. Rederus. Note: a Francis Rederus is listed in the Historical Directory of the Reformed Church in America, 1992, on page 189. Francis Rederus came to America in 1872 as well as his son, Sipko Francis Rederus.
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Protection to Travel Abroad from the Secretary of State
William H. Seward
A document which reads as follows: The United States of America, To all to whom these Presents shall come Greeting. I the undersign Secretary of State of the United States of America hereby request all whom it may concern to permit safely and freely to pass, Albertus C. Van Raalte with his wife, a Citizen of the United States and in case of need to give him all lawful Aid and Protection. Given under my hand and the impression of the Seal of the Department of State at the City of Washington the 14th day of April A.D. 1866, in the 90th Year of the Independence of the United States. No. 25,222. William H. Seward. Van Raalte's personal description is given as follows: Age 54 Years, Stature 5 Feet 3 Inches, Forehead high and broad, Eyes blue; Nose prominent, Mouth medium, Chin small, Hair brown, Complexion light and Face, medium. A physical description of Mrs. Christina Van Raalte was not given in this official document that served as passport for their upcoming trip to the Netherlands.
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This Brief Biographical Record of Rev. Albertus Van Raalte, the Father of Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte, Was Probably Obtained by the Van Raaltes During the Summer of 1866 When They Were Visiting in the Netherlands
M. Stevense, Nella Kennedy, and Gerrit W. Sheeres
This brief biographical record of Rev. Albertus Van Raalte, the father of Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte, was probably obtained by the Van Raalte during the summer of 1866 when they were visiting in the Netherlands.
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First Meeting of the Council of Hope College
Abel T. Stewart
Dr. Albertus C. Van Raalte was not able to attend the first meeting of the Council of Hope College because he and his wife were on vacation in the Netherlands. Members of the Council at this meeting were Elder Solomon Cummings, M.D., Rev. Peter J. Oggel, Rev. Seine Bolks, Elder A. Kuyper, Rev. N. D. Williamson, Rev. J. S. Joralmon E. P. Livingston, Dr. Philip Phelps, and Dr. John L. See, Secretary of the Board of Education of the Reformed Church. Rev. A. T. Stewart, also present, was elected secretary of the council.
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Meeting Minutes of the Executive Committee of the Council of Hope College
Abel T. Stewart
Although Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte had returned from the Netherlands, he was not present at this meeting of the executive committee of the Council of Hope College.Pres. Philip Phelps Jr. presided and the meeting was attended by Rev. Seine Bolks, Rev. Peter J. Oggel, Henry G. Decker, and Abel T. Stewart. The death of a member of the executive was announced. He was Dr. Cummings, a representative of the Classis of Michigan and a resident of Holland, Michigan, and presumably a member of the Hope Reformed Church.
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Meeting of the Executive Committee of the Council of Hope College
Abel T. Stewart
At the first meeting of the executive committee of the Council of Hope College, President Philip Phelps Jr. was in the chair. Also present were Rev. Seine Bolks, Henry G. Decker, Rev. Peter J. Oggel, and Rev. Abel T. Stewart. Dr. Albertus C. Van Raalte was not present due to his being in the Netherlands this summer.
