The Educational Unit
In the spring of 1952 the necessity for having more room was becoming evident. Our Sunday School was crowded in all available facilities; one class meeting in the old coal bin in the basement. Kitchen and bath room facilities were sorely lacking plus having no social room. Funds available January 1, 1953 were $5,075.19. Pledges received from the financial drive were $11,866.42. $7,500.00 was borrowed from Edgerton State Bank.
After several congregational meetings and rejecting serveral proposals it was decided to build an entirely new building. Ted Pool and Frank Gunnink were awarded the contracts. The entire cost of the building including furnishings was $24,402.17.
Building committee members were Garry Hofkamp, Jake De Jong, Chris Blom, Abram Westenberg, Mrs. Jake Pronk and Mrs. Elmer Eernisse. Furnishing committee was Henry Landhuis, Gerard Mesman, Mrs. Jake De Jong, Jake Eernisse, Mrs. Chris Blom, Mrs. John Anker, Mrs. Gerrit Weikeraad, and Mrs. Henry Prins.
The building was started in the fall of 1953 and completed and dedicated May 14, 1954. One can scarcely imagine how the church was able to get along without this addition, which is still used today but was added to during the building project of 1996.
The size of the addition is 70' by 28'. The foyer is 16' by 16'. It includes a kitchen, fellowship hall with stage on main floor, two rest rooms, and seven Sunday School rooms in the basement. Each Sunday School room was equipped with a new teacher's desk, folding table, chairs, and bulletin boards. A new heating system was also installed.
We now had a church with a bath instead of a church with a path.
Back to the Timeline of Bethel's History
After several congregational meetings and rejecting serveral proposals it was decided to build an entirely new building. Ted Pool and Frank Gunnink were awarded the contracts. The entire cost of the building including furnishings was $24,402.17.
Building committee members were Garry Hofkamp, Jake De Jong, Chris Blom, Abram Westenberg, Mrs. Jake Pronk and Mrs. Elmer Eernisse. Furnishing committee was Henry Landhuis, Gerard Mesman, Mrs. Jake De Jong, Jake Eernisse, Mrs. Chris Blom, Mrs. John Anker, Mrs. Gerrit Weikeraad, and Mrs. Henry Prins.
The building was started in the fall of 1953 and completed and dedicated May 14, 1954. One can scarcely imagine how the church was able to get along without this addition, which is still used today but was added to during the building project of 1996.
The size of the addition is 70' by 28'. The foyer is 16' by 16'. It includes a kitchen, fellowship hall with stage on main floor, two rest rooms, and seven Sunday School rooms in the basement. Each Sunday School room was equipped with a new teacher's desk, folding table, chairs, and bulletin boards. A new heating system was also installed.
We now had a church with a bath instead of a church with a path.
Back to the Timeline of Bethel's History