Olivet Reformed Church

	History of Olivet Reformed Church
	The pastor of First Reformed Church of Grandville, Michigan had suggested as early as 1930 that consideration should be given to beginning a new church, however, it was not until 1947 that the idea found fruition. After studying the proposal for some time, the Consistory of First Church formulated plans for the formation of a new congregation. At a special congregational meeting on August 26, 1947, it was decided that a new church would be established east of the (then) city limits of Grandville. Property for the new church was purchased at the corner of Wallace and 31st St. Arrangements were made with the Grand Rapids Classis to organize the new church. Charter members included 93 baptized members (52 families). The mother church (First Church) decided to give approximately $40,000 to build a basement church. Each communicant member of First Church and the new church would contribute $56.00 toward this construction. It was discovered that temporary rental facilities would be available for Sunday worship services, Wednesday evening prayer meetings and Young People´s midweek Bible Classes at the Wayside Chapel Seventh Day Adventist Church on Byron Center Ave. in Wyoming Park until the new church would be ready. On June 22, 1948, the Church Extension Committee met with the group planning to form the new church and the first Consistory of four Elders and four Deacons was elected. Several suggestions for naming the new church were presented, but "Olivet Reformed Church" was finally chosen. On July 4, 1948, our first worship service was held at the Wayside Chapel. A bid of $44, 794 for construction of the new church having been accepted, a ground-breaking service for the new church was held on September 15, 1948. Construction moved ahead as quickly as possible and the first service was held on February 13, 1949. Dedication services were held on February 24th and 25th. On Wednesday, March 16, 1949, Rev. William A. Swets, pastor of Fourth Reformed Church of Grand Rapids, Michigan was called as our first pastor. Rev. Swets served until the summer of 1952, when he was called to re-enter the Navy Chaplaincy. During his pastorate, the debt for the building was retired. In 1953, plans for the building of the super-structure of the church above the basement were formulated. A cornerstone-laying service was held on June 16, 1953. The new church building was dedicated on the February 24th and 25th of 1954. The addition of Osterink Memorial Chapel, with its beautiful stained glass window, was dedicated on January 3, 1958, built in memory of Eva Osterink. A new elevator entrance was added and dedicated in 1993. Olivet Church has been instrumental in the formation of several other congregations and outreach ministries as well as dedicated support of missionary activity both at home and abroad while being blessed by the ministries of the following pastors: Rev. William A. Swets, 1949-1952 Rev. Henry Zylstra, 1952-1960 Rev. Peter J. Muyskens, 1961-1969 Rev. Charles Doornbos, 1971-1978 Rev. William VanMalsen, 1979-1983 Rev. John Ornee, 1984-1995 Rev. Harvey Heneveld, 1996-2007 Rev. Joshua Baron, 2008-Present For over sixty years, Olivet Reformed Church has sought to serve God and our neighbors through the faithful preaching and teaching of the Word of God and acts of Christian charity extended in love. We are thankful to God for His continued blessings on our church, its members, and friends as we strive together to be the voice and hands of our Lord in a world in need of the saving gospel of Jesus Christ.


	Olivet Reformed Church 3085 Wallace Ave SW Grandville, MI 49418	Phone: (616)-534-0436 Fax: (616) 534-2090 Prayer Line: (616) 336-1362 Email: Office@OlivetReformed.org	Service Times 9:30am & 6:00pm