History of Bethel Reformed Church
1891 - Church was organized in local school building.
1892 - First death: Will J. Kreun.
1892 - March 15, two and one-half acres purchased for cemetery.
1892 - Martin Kallemyn, E. DeGraff, & Frank Beckering measured land for church sight.
1892 - Decided to pay the summer student, J.P. Winters, $30.00 for summer services.
1893 - Communion table linens, silver communion and baptismal service were purchased.
1893 - First church building built.
1893 - First parsonage proposed.
1893 - Plans were made to plant ash trees around the church property. The trees are still existent.
1893 - July, the first minister called.
1894 - A letter of thanks was sent to E. DeKraii for a substantial money gift for this new congregation.
1894 - Mention was made that the church was helping needy familiers. Also money was sent to Hope College.
1894 - First mention of hiring a janitor. His main duty was to "keep the church warm."
1895 - Several persons left the church to join the newly organized Christian Reformed Church.
1895 - Rev. H.J. Pietenpol installed.
1895 - One acre of church ground was rented to raise potatoes. Balance of land was to be planted to grass.
1898 - There was serious concern about memebers joining secret societies.
1898 - Offering was received for Cuban Relief.
1899 - Young People's Catechism was held on Sunday evenings.
1901 - "Vrouwen Vereenging Zendings" - Women's Missionary Society organized.
1902 - Church became self supporting.
1902 - Several families left for Norman County.
1903 - Rev. H.P. Schuurmans installed.
1904 - Couldn't afford to send a delegate to classis.
1904 - Sunday School picnic. (first)
1905 - It cost $3.00 for a grave.
1905 - Young people were asked to go home immediately after evening services on weekdays as well as Sundays.
1905 - Church has to be heated to 70 degrees one-half hour before services.
1905 - Janitor was to keep lanterns lit in the horse barns in the evenings and to keep snow from doors of horse barns.
1907 - First asking for English services was emphatically turned down. (Then all services were in Dutch)
1907 - Rev. J.J. Hollebrands installed.
1907 - First mention of a missionary speaker.
1907 - A week of prayer was held at the beginning of the year.
1908 - Mission Band made a "name" quilt.
1908 - Telephone installed in the parsonage; taken out and later reinstalled.
1910 - Doxology was first sung by Mission Band for closing.
1910 - Rev. J.H. Te Grootenhuis installed.
1911 - A group left for Chandler Reformed Church.
1911 - Used the Christian Reformed Church for services. (in middle of building project)
1911 - Second church building built.
1911 - Mission Band sold souvenir spoons of new church. (Their is a sample in the Church's display cabinet)
1911 - Mr. Jensen gave $10.00 for the carpet. (Contractor who built the church)
1912 - Dedication of church on Jan. 30, 1912
1915 - During the vacancy of pastor, the parsonage was rented out for $6.05 per month
1916 - Rev. John Vander Schaaf installed.
1919 - Flu epidemic hit the area. People were asked to sit far apart during church services.
1922 - Rev. Bernard De Jong installed.
1925 - Rev. J. Vander Heide installed.
1926 - Church's 25th anniversary and burning of the mortgage.
1927 - It was left up to the discretion of the parents if the children should have English or Dutch catechism.
1933 - It was decided to have one English day time service per month. It was also decided to sing psalters instead of hymns.
1933 - Envelope system of giving initated.
1934 - Special prayer meeting held for rain.
1938 - Electricity came to Leota.
1941 - 50th anniversary of the church.
1941 - Flowers for the anniversary came from the garden of Albertus Koedam farm.
1941 - Basement dug out under overflow room.
1946 - Second parsonage built.
1946 - Rev. Gerrit Rientjes was installed.
1946 - Weekly bulletins begun.
1947 - Individual communion initiated.
1948 - Church reshingled, oil furnace installed, rubber matting put in aisles.
1948 - Bought a new piano for sanctuary.
1948 - New pulpit furniture purchased.
1948 - Gave pulpit furniture to Slayton Reformed Church.
1949 - Rev. John Vos installed.
1949 - Complete transition to English.
1949 - Accepted first share in support of the missionary.
1950 - New Moller organ installed.
1954 - Annex built (Educational wing).
1956 - Consistory memebers permitted to sit with families.
1956 - Triplets were born to Mr. & Mrs. Cornie Van't Hof.
1957 - Rev. Daniel Reeverts installed.
1958 - Last payment on the annex.
1960 - Youth sunrise services.
1960 - The Deagan Chimes were presented.
1962 - Christian Endeavor was called R.C.Y.F. (Reformed Church Youth Fellowship)
1962 - Purchased P.A. System.
1963 - Plans proposed to add lobby to south side to cover both entries was defeated.
1964 - Aisles and stage were carpeted.
1966 - 75th Anniversary of the church.
1966 - A new outside bulletin board presented.
1967 - Rev. Henry Bovendam installed.
1967 - Evening church services year around.
1968 - Telephone installed in church.
1968 - Old basement remodeled into Sunday school rooms.
1969 - Church merger with Southern Presbyterian turned down.
1970 - Catechism classes changed from Saturday afternoon to Wednesday evening.
1970 - RCYF Easter plays begun.
1971 - Fixtures installed to light the church steeple.
1972 - Remodeled walls of sanctuary with wood and vinyl paneling.
1972 - Consistory expressed opposition to the sale of beer in Leota.
1973 - Cal Hays Crusade, March 22-25.
1973 - Rev. Dean Meeter installed.
1973 - Pastor's study moved from parsonage to church.
1973 - Children's messages begun.
1973 - No heat in sanctuary from Monday noon to Saturday noon, to save fuel.
1974 - Amplifier with remote control installed.
1974 - Gift of $700.00 received to buy new consistory chairs.
1974 - New hymn books purchased.
1974 - RCYF and sponsors attended RCA Youth Gathering at Toronto, Ontario.
1976 - Joint Fourth of July services in the park.
1976 - Girls League purchased silver-service and punch bowl.
1977 - Proposed parsonage-garage addition; voted down.
1977 - RCYF went to Annville Institue, Annville, KY; on a work mission.
1977 - RCA Church Growth Gund drive. Minimum goal- $10,000, total pledged- $22,604.
1977 - Proposed narthex addition plus new pews and carpeting. Accepted well.
1978 - Consistory enlarged to 12
1978 - New furnace in parsonage, refrigerator.
1978 - Rev. Phil Somsen installed.
1978 - RCYF attended the first "Rocky Mountain High".
1978 - Architect's plans accepted and building permit graned by state.
1978 - Total cost of remodeling sanctuary, narthex, was $103,334.00
1979 - Purchased new pews for $11,768.00 Old pews sold for $1,240, original price $717.00
1979 - Parking lot blacktopped.
1979 - June 24 - Dedication service to be held asking for our Lord's acceptance of the work on our hands and this blessing on all who worship here at Bethel - "The House of God".
1979 - New brass communion set purchased.
1981 - Mrs. Charles Kreun reached her 100th birthday. She passed away soon after.
1981 - Brotherhood men went to Winnebago for wrok project.
1982 - Girls League disbanded.
1984 - Rev. Verlyn Boone installed.
1984 - Piano purchased by RCW. (Everett)
1984 - Entry and laundry room addition to the parsonage.
1985 - Men's chorus began.
1987 - Panasonic copier purchased.
1987 - Planted one row of evergreens north of parsonage.
1988 - New furnace for sanctuary.
1988 - Ladies bathroom remodeled.
1988 - Installed flourescent lights in annex.
1989 - Seventeen volunteers went to Macy for work project.
1989 - Christian symbols added to the Christmas tree.
1989 - Water heater for church installed.
1989 - Repair chimney on church.
1989 - Patio built on north side of parsonage.
1990 - Major organ repair, cost $6235 contract.
1990 - Rev. LeRoy Boender installed.
1990 - Women's chorus began.
1990 - Bell Choir (grades 5-8)
1990 - Replaced the front steps of the parsonage.
1990 - Purchased tape duplicator.
1990 - Church, annex and steeple painted - cost $4,463.88
1991 - Byran Kroontje, Matte Wiekeraad, and Mike Schaap served our country in the Persian Gulf "Desert Storm".
1991 - Fellowship hall carpeted.
1991 - New hymnal selected "The Hymnal for Worship and Celebration", Memorial Gift from the Landhuis family remembering their parents, Henry and Marie Landhuis.
1991 - 100th anniversary celebrated April 21-29.
1991 - VCR and TV purchased.
1992 - Centennial activities concluded on April 26, 1992.
1992 - Memorial Fund established.
1992 - RCYF Work project at Macy, Nebr.
1992 - June - Area hit by tornado - major damage.
1992 - Combined 4th of July worship service offering to go to Disaster Relief Fund
1992 - New copy machine purchased.
1993 - RCYF members attend Rocky Mountain High.
1993 - Combined 4th of July worship service offering to go to Nobles County Red Cross.
1994 - New washer and dryer purchased for the parsonage.
1994 - Consistory ruling that new members transferred in from other churches required to be members of our church a minimum of 3 years before being eligible as consistory members.
1994 - Digital piano purchased from Hartog Piano Co. for $2795.00. $2700.00 to be used from Memorial Fund.
1994 - May - Gift received from Kreun Estate in the amount of $654,183.63; of which 25% designated to Benevolent Fund and 75% designated to Building Fund. Kreun Estate Advisory Committee formed.
1994 - New dish washer purchased for parsonage.
1994 - Vissor Architects hired to conduct a feasiblitly study for church building and improvements.
1994 - Adult Work Project "Habitat for Humanity" at Des Moines, Ia.
1994 - Feasibility study committee appointed.
1995 - May - Building Committee of 11 people formed.
1995 - First Vacation Bible School held with Christian Reformed Church.
1995 - RCYF Work project at Lawton, Okla.
1995 - Sept. - Congregational meeting decides to build new sanctuary and fellowship hall. Vote passed by 72.3%.
1996 - March - Pastor LeRoy Boender accepts a call to Brandon, Wisc.
1996 - April - Congregation meeting to vote on updated building project cost of $673.475. Vote passed by 81.5%
Option 1 - Digitized switching system for organ at a cost of $18,100. Vote passed by 85.2%
Option 2 - Air conditioning at a cost of $11,300. Vote passed by 86.5%
1996 - April - The "moving process " begins with Church furnishing stored at various places.
1996 - April - Building Fund-raising Committee begins quarterly drives.
1996 - April 21 - Last service held at old church.
1996 - April 28 - AM services held at Christian Grade School gym, evening services combined with Ebenezer Christian Reformed Church during construction.
1996 - April 29 - Steeple and Bell tower taken down by Harlan Schuur.
1996 - June - Construction begins for new church facilites. Pastor LeRoy Boender gives his farewell.
1996 - August - Search Committee selected. Large beams put in place for church sanctuary.
1996 - Sunday School classes held at Christian Grade School, parsonage, and Fireside Room. Catechism classes held at parsonage and Fireside Room.
1996 - Dec. - Sunday School Christmas program held Christmas Eve at Ebenezer CRC. Many services were cancelled during the winter of '96-97 because of extreme weather conditions.
1996 - Stained glass overlaid windows to be purchased with funds from "Memorial Fund."
1997 - Volunteers contributed "many hours" in the finishing process of the fellowship hall and the basement educational rooms.
1997 - March - Upstairs bathroom in parsonage enlarged. New telephone system installed in church.
1997 - March 30 -Easter Sunday - First service in new church facilites.
1997 - June 22 - Dedication of new church facilities. "To God be The Glory".
1997 - October 16 - Rev. David Vander Leest installed.
1892 - First death: Will J. Kreun.
1892 - March 15, two and one-half acres purchased for cemetery.
1892 - Martin Kallemyn, E. DeGraff, & Frank Beckering measured land for church sight.
1892 - Decided to pay the summer student, J.P. Winters, $30.00 for summer services.
1893 - Communion table linens, silver communion and baptismal service were purchased.
1893 - First church building built.
1893 - First parsonage proposed.
1893 - Plans were made to plant ash trees around the church property. The trees are still existent.
1893 - July, the first minister called.
1894 - A letter of thanks was sent to E. DeKraii for a substantial money gift for this new congregation.
1894 - Mention was made that the church was helping needy familiers. Also money was sent to Hope College.
1894 - First mention of hiring a janitor. His main duty was to "keep the church warm."
1895 - Several persons left the church to join the newly organized Christian Reformed Church.
1895 - Rev. H.J. Pietenpol installed.
1895 - One acre of church ground was rented to raise potatoes. Balance of land was to be planted to grass.
1898 - There was serious concern about memebers joining secret societies.
1898 - Offering was received for Cuban Relief.
1899 - Young People's Catechism was held on Sunday evenings.
1901 - "Vrouwen Vereenging Zendings" - Women's Missionary Society organized.
1902 - Church became self supporting.
1902 - Several families left for Norman County.
1903 - Rev. H.P. Schuurmans installed.
1904 - Couldn't afford to send a delegate to classis.
1904 - Sunday School picnic. (first)
1905 - It cost $3.00 for a grave.
1905 - Young people were asked to go home immediately after evening services on weekdays as well as Sundays.
1905 - Church has to be heated to 70 degrees one-half hour before services.
1905 - Janitor was to keep lanterns lit in the horse barns in the evenings and to keep snow from doors of horse barns.
1907 - First asking for English services was emphatically turned down. (Then all services were in Dutch)
1907 - Rev. J.J. Hollebrands installed.
1907 - First mention of a missionary speaker.
1907 - A week of prayer was held at the beginning of the year.
1908 - Mission Band made a "name" quilt.
1908 - Telephone installed in the parsonage; taken out and later reinstalled.
1910 - Doxology was first sung by Mission Band for closing.
1910 - Rev. J.H. Te Grootenhuis installed.
1911 - A group left for Chandler Reformed Church.
1911 - Used the Christian Reformed Church for services. (in middle of building project)
1911 - Second church building built.
1911 - Mission Band sold souvenir spoons of new church. (Their is a sample in the Church's display cabinet)
1911 - Mr. Jensen gave $10.00 for the carpet. (Contractor who built the church)
1912 - Dedication of church on Jan. 30, 1912
1915 - During the vacancy of pastor, the parsonage was rented out for $6.05 per month
1916 - Rev. John Vander Schaaf installed.
1919 - Flu epidemic hit the area. People were asked to sit far apart during church services.
1922 - Rev. Bernard De Jong installed.
1925 - Rev. J. Vander Heide installed.
1926 - Church's 25th anniversary and burning of the mortgage.
1927 - It was left up to the discretion of the parents if the children should have English or Dutch catechism.
1933 - It was decided to have one English day time service per month. It was also decided to sing psalters instead of hymns.
1933 - Envelope system of giving initated.
1934 - Special prayer meeting held for rain.
1938 - Electricity came to Leota.
1941 - 50th anniversary of the church.
1941 - Flowers for the anniversary came from the garden of Albertus Koedam farm.
1941 - Basement dug out under overflow room.
1946 - Second parsonage built.
1946 - Rev. Gerrit Rientjes was installed.
1946 - Weekly bulletins begun.
1947 - Individual communion initiated.
1948 - Church reshingled, oil furnace installed, rubber matting put in aisles.
1948 - Bought a new piano for sanctuary.
1948 - New pulpit furniture purchased.
1948 - Gave pulpit furniture to Slayton Reformed Church.
1949 - Rev. John Vos installed.
1949 - Complete transition to English.
1949 - Accepted first share in support of the missionary.
1950 - New Moller organ installed.
1954 - Annex built (Educational wing).
1956 - Consistory memebers permitted to sit with families.
1956 - Triplets were born to Mr. & Mrs. Cornie Van't Hof.
1957 - Rev. Daniel Reeverts installed.
1958 - Last payment on the annex.
1960 - Youth sunrise services.
1960 - The Deagan Chimes were presented.
1962 - Christian Endeavor was called R.C.Y.F. (Reformed Church Youth Fellowship)
1962 - Purchased P.A. System.
1963 - Plans proposed to add lobby to south side to cover both entries was defeated.
1964 - Aisles and stage were carpeted.
1966 - 75th Anniversary of the church.
1966 - A new outside bulletin board presented.
1967 - Rev. Henry Bovendam installed.
1967 - Evening church services year around.
1968 - Telephone installed in church.
1968 - Old basement remodeled into Sunday school rooms.
1969 - Church merger with Southern Presbyterian turned down.
1970 - Catechism classes changed from Saturday afternoon to Wednesday evening.
1970 - RCYF Easter plays begun.
1971 - Fixtures installed to light the church steeple.
1972 - Remodeled walls of sanctuary with wood and vinyl paneling.
1972 - Consistory expressed opposition to the sale of beer in Leota.
1973 - Cal Hays Crusade, March 22-25.
1973 - Rev. Dean Meeter installed.
1973 - Pastor's study moved from parsonage to church.
1973 - Children's messages begun.
1973 - No heat in sanctuary from Monday noon to Saturday noon, to save fuel.
1974 - Amplifier with remote control installed.
1974 - Gift of $700.00 received to buy new consistory chairs.
1974 - New hymn books purchased.
1974 - RCYF and sponsors attended RCA Youth Gathering at Toronto, Ontario.
1976 - Joint Fourth of July services in the park.
1976 - Girls League purchased silver-service and punch bowl.
1977 - Proposed parsonage-garage addition; voted down.
1977 - RCYF went to Annville Institue, Annville, KY; on a work mission.
1977 - RCA Church Growth Gund drive. Minimum goal- $10,000, total pledged- $22,604.
1977 - Proposed narthex addition plus new pews and carpeting. Accepted well.
1978 - Consistory enlarged to 12
1978 - New furnace in parsonage, refrigerator.
1978 - Rev. Phil Somsen installed.
1978 - RCYF attended the first "Rocky Mountain High".
1978 - Architect's plans accepted and building permit graned by state.
1978 - Total cost of remodeling sanctuary, narthex, was $103,334.00
1979 - Purchased new pews for $11,768.00 Old pews sold for $1,240, original price $717.00
1979 - Parking lot blacktopped.
1979 - June 24 - Dedication service to be held asking for our Lord's acceptance of the work on our hands and this blessing on all who worship here at Bethel - "The House of God".
1979 - New brass communion set purchased.
1981 - Mrs. Charles Kreun reached her 100th birthday. She passed away soon after.
1981 - Brotherhood men went to Winnebago for wrok project.
1982 - Girls League disbanded.
1984 - Rev. Verlyn Boone installed.
1984 - Piano purchased by RCW. (Everett)
1984 - Entry and laundry room addition to the parsonage.
1985 - Men's chorus began.
1987 - Panasonic copier purchased.
1987 - Planted one row of evergreens north of parsonage.
1988 - New furnace for sanctuary.
1988 - Ladies bathroom remodeled.
1988 - Installed flourescent lights in annex.
1989 - Seventeen volunteers went to Macy for work project.
1989 - Christian symbols added to the Christmas tree.
1989 - Water heater for church installed.
1989 - Repair chimney on church.
1989 - Patio built on north side of parsonage.
1990 - Major organ repair, cost $6235 contract.
1990 - Rev. LeRoy Boender installed.
1990 - Women's chorus began.
1990 - Bell Choir (grades 5-8)
1990 - Replaced the front steps of the parsonage.
1990 - Purchased tape duplicator.
1990 - Church, annex and steeple painted - cost $4,463.88
1991 - Byran Kroontje, Matte Wiekeraad, and Mike Schaap served our country in the Persian Gulf "Desert Storm".
1991 - Fellowship hall carpeted.
1991 - New hymnal selected "The Hymnal for Worship and Celebration", Memorial Gift from the Landhuis family remembering their parents, Henry and Marie Landhuis.
1991 - 100th anniversary celebrated April 21-29.
1991 - VCR and TV purchased.
1992 - Centennial activities concluded on April 26, 1992.
1992 - Memorial Fund established.
1992 - RCYF Work project at Macy, Nebr.
1992 - June - Area hit by tornado - major damage.
1992 - Combined 4th of July worship service offering to go to Disaster Relief Fund
1992 - New copy machine purchased.
1993 - RCYF members attend Rocky Mountain High.
1993 - Combined 4th of July worship service offering to go to Nobles County Red Cross.
1994 - New washer and dryer purchased for the parsonage.
1994 - Consistory ruling that new members transferred in from other churches required to be members of our church a minimum of 3 years before being eligible as consistory members.
1994 - Digital piano purchased from Hartog Piano Co. for $2795.00. $2700.00 to be used from Memorial Fund.
1994 - May - Gift received from Kreun Estate in the amount of $654,183.63; of which 25% designated to Benevolent Fund and 75% designated to Building Fund. Kreun Estate Advisory Committee formed.
1994 - New dish washer purchased for parsonage.
1994 - Vissor Architects hired to conduct a feasiblitly study for church building and improvements.
1994 - Adult Work Project "Habitat for Humanity" at Des Moines, Ia.
1994 - Feasibility study committee appointed.
1995 - May - Building Committee of 11 people formed.
1995 - First Vacation Bible School held with Christian Reformed Church.
1995 - RCYF Work project at Lawton, Okla.
1995 - Sept. - Congregational meeting decides to build new sanctuary and fellowship hall. Vote passed by 72.3%.
1996 - March - Pastor LeRoy Boender accepts a call to Brandon, Wisc.
1996 - April - Congregation meeting to vote on updated building project cost of $673.475. Vote passed by 81.5%
Option 1 - Digitized switching system for organ at a cost of $18,100. Vote passed by 85.2%
Option 2 - Air conditioning at a cost of $11,300. Vote passed by 86.5%
1996 - April - The "moving process " begins with Church furnishing stored at various places.
1996 - April - Building Fund-raising Committee begins quarterly drives.
1996 - April 21 - Last service held at old church.
1996 - April 28 - AM services held at Christian Grade School gym, evening services combined with Ebenezer Christian Reformed Church during construction.
1996 - April 29 - Steeple and Bell tower taken down by Harlan Schuur.
1996 - June - Construction begins for new church facilites. Pastor LeRoy Boender gives his farewell.
1996 - August - Search Committee selected. Large beams put in place for church sanctuary.
1996 - Sunday School classes held at Christian Grade School, parsonage, and Fireside Room. Catechism classes held at parsonage and Fireside Room.
1996 - Dec. - Sunday School Christmas program held Christmas Eve at Ebenezer CRC. Many services were cancelled during the winter of '96-97 because of extreme weather conditions.
1996 - Stained glass overlaid windows to be purchased with funds from "Memorial Fund."
1997 - Volunteers contributed "many hours" in the finishing process of the fellowship hall and the basement educational rooms.
1997 - March - Upstairs bathroom in parsonage enlarged. New telephone system installed in church.
1997 - March 30 -Easter Sunday - First service in new church facilites.
1997 - June 22 - Dedication of new church facilities. "To God be The Glory".
1997 - October 16 - Rev. David Vander Leest installed.