1869 Vriesland Reformed Church . The congregation of the 1869 Vriesland Reformed Church was organized in 1846 in the Netherlands. Led by the Reverend Maarten Anne Ypma, forty-nine adults and their children emigrated to the United States in 1847. Attracted by the clay soil, these farmers settled this area and named it Vriesland for their native province of Friesland in the Netherlands. Many descendants of the community’s original families still reside in the area, and Frisian names are prevalent.
1869 Vriesland Reformed Church Building . This edifice, built in 1869 during the ministry of the Reverend Henry Uiterwyk, is one of the oldest Reformed Church structures in Michigan. The first church on this site was a log cabin which was soon replaced by a clapboard building. The Colonial style of this third place of worship remains largely unchanged. The steeple, roof line, and exterior walls and ornamentation are original. The congregation of the Vriesland Reformed Church worshipped here until 1973. . This historical marker was erected in 1979 by Michigan History Division, Department of State. It is Near Zeeland in Ottawa County Michigan
1869 Vriesland Reformed Church
The congregation of the 1869 Vriesland Reformed Church was organized in 1846 in the Netherlands. Led by the Reverend Maarten Anne Ypma, forty-nine adults and their children emigrated to the United States in 1847. Attracted by the clay soil, these farmers settled this area and named it Vriesland for their native province of Friesland in the Netherlands. Many descendants of the community’s original families still reside in the area, and Frisian names are prevalent.
1869 Vriesland Reformed Church Building
This edifice, built in 1869 during the ministry of the Reverend Henry Uiterwyk, is one of the oldest Reformed Church structures in Michigan. The first church on this site was a log cabin which was soon replaced by a clapboard building. The Colonial style of this third place of worship remains largely unchanged. The steeple, roof line, and exterior walls and ornamentation are original. The congregation of the Vriesland Reformed Church worshipped here until 1973.
Erected 1979 by Michigan History Division, Department
Location. 42° 48.719′ N, 85° 56.473′ W. Marker is near Zeeland, Michigan, in Ottawa County. Marker is on Byron Road west of 64th Avenue, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6441 Byron Rd, Zeeland MI 49464, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Additional commentary. 1. 1869 Vriesland Reformed Church The current building is now the Zeeland Church of God.
Photographed By Kathy Garman, June 6, 2021
2. 1869 Vriesland Reformed Church Building Marker
— Submitted September 24, 2021, by John Garman of Rochester Hills.
Photographed By John Garman, June 6, 2021
3. 1869 Vriesland Reformed Church and Historical Marker
Photographed By John Garman, June 6, 2021
4. 1869 Vriesland Reformed Church and Historical Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on September 25, 2021. It was originally submitted on September 24, 2021, by John Garman of Rochester Hills. This page has been viewed 602 times since then and 371 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 24, 2021, by John Garman of Rochester Hills. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.
