Rev. Gerrit Dangremond and other early Pastors (1891-1895)

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Rev. Gerrit Dangremond played a very influential part in the early years of the Bethel Reformed Church. He was serving the nearest Reformed Church at Churchville, Minnesota about 6 miles northwest of Holland, MN, or 36 miles from Leota. He received $10 in 1892 to preach one service a month, plus communion service, baptisms, consistory meetings, congregational meeting and confessions of faith were scheduled as needed. In this new congregation he performed some of the first marriages.
We would like to acknowledge a few other early pastors who contributed to Bethel Reformed Church. It is mentioned a few times that Dr. T. Leepeltak, of Hospers, Iowa, preached and led congregatin meetings in 1893 to 1895. He baptized the first forur Children on Dec. 27, 1891. They were Andries de Graf, Frank de Graf, Jennie de Graf, and Johanna Donkersloot. He was also called to serve as pastor, but Iowa Classis refused.
J. O. Winters was a summer student pastor in the year 1892. He was paid $30 for his services. Others who preached, performed the sacraments of baptism, communion, conducted weddings were Rev. D. Buiker, Rev Vander Kam, and Rev. Joldersma.
It is mentioned that serveral pastors were called to serve our church before Rev. Pietenpol accepted. They were Rev. Henry Hospers in 1893, H. VanderPloeg, and even a Rev. Grootenhuis of the Netherlands.

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