Zeeland Charter Township in Drenthe in Ottawa County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Drenthe Christian Reformed Church
Photographed By J. J. Prats, July 29, 2023
1. Drenthe Christian Reformed Church Marker
Michigan Registered Local Site No. 905
Inscription.
Drenthe Christian Reformed Church. . The village of Drenthe was settled by three groups of Dutch immigrants in 1847. Those from Staphorst settled to the west; those from the province of Drenthe, to the east; and the “Flakkenaars” from Zuid Holland, to the north. The settlers first worshiped in nearby Vriesland, but in 1848 they built a Reformed church east of the village. It was soon outgrown, and in 1875 this church was built. In 1882, following dissent over some practices of the Re- formed denomination, the congregation voted to join the recently organized Christian Reformed Church. For many years services were conducted in Dutch, but by 1946 all were in English. Several additions have been made to the structure since 1875, but the main building has the original hand-hewn beams and fieldstone foundation.
The village of Drenthe was settled by
three groups of Dutch immigrants in 1847.
Those from Staphorst settled to the west;
those from the province of Drenthe, to
the east; and the “Flakkenaars” from Zuid
Holland, to the north. The settlers first
worshiped in nearby Vriesland, but in 1848
they built a Reformed church east of the
village. It was soon outgrown, and in 1875
this church was built. In 1882, following
dissent over some practices of the Re-
formed denomination, the congregation
voted to join the recently organized
Christian Reformed Church. For many
years services were conducted in Dutch,
but by 1946 all were in English. Several
additions have been made to the structure since 1875, but the main building
has the original hand-hewn beams and
fieldstone foundation.
Erected 1981 by Michigan History Division, Department of State. (Marker Number 905.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Churches & Religion. A significant historical year for this entry is 1847.
Location. 42° 46.963′ N, 85° 56.339′ W. Marker is in Drenthe, Michigan, in Ottawa County. It is in Zeeland Charter Township. Marker is on Adams Street east of 6th Avenue, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6341 Adams St, Zeeland MI 49464, United States of America. Touch for directions.
The marker is in profile in front of the center tree’s trunk.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 5, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 5, 2023, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 79 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on August 5, 2023, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.
