first christian reformed church the...

Volume 5, Issue 3

The Focus First Christ ian Reformed Church

Special points of interest:

• Did You Know?

• We Remember

• Past Staff Memories

• Generations

Did You Know? 2-3

We Remember Church Services

4-5

More We Remember 6-9

Ministers, Staff and Their Families Remember

10-21

Generations 22-23

Centennial Poem 25

Closing 27

Inside this issue:

June 3, 2012

CELEBRATING OUR CENTENNIAL

1912 – 2012

First Christian Reformed Church of Hanford

FOREVER FAITHFUL

For the Lord is good and His love endures forever;

His faithfulness extends through all generations

Psalm 100:5

THE FOCUS VOLUME 5, I SSUE 3

DID YOU KNOW?

That immigrants Dick Hoek and P.G. Verhoeven, while visiting outside of the Post Office one Sunday morning in 1909, decided to gather the Dutch Christians together for a worship service and did so that very day? That the immigrants’ first worship service was at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Dick Hoek (Betty Hoek Van Soelen Stewart’s grandparents)? They were the only ones who lived in town. That when the fledging congregation outgrew the Hoek home, they met in Dewey Hall, upstairs on 7th Street? That during the 1920’s the Donkersloots were the janitors, were paid $20 a month, and tied their horse and buggy to the hitching post in front of the church? That the janitor rang the bell in the Elm street church steeple to call everyone to worship and that was the signal for the older men to put their cigars in the trees and come inside? That T.P. Maliepaard (Kuno’s Dad) once played “Hickory, Dickory, Dock” as part of his organ prelude? That for many years the custodian job was put out for bids, and the person with the lowest bid was se-lected as that year’s custodian? That during the early years when without a minister, the elders read the sermons? One elder evidently felt very ministerial because he also gave the closing benediction. That the Young People’s Society were attired in nice dresses and suits for their conventions?

That the first bulletin was published in 1938? That the Mt. Hermon Bible Conferences began in 1940? That in 1946 the Consistory decided to install chimes to the organ and install a loud speaker in the tower of the church? The broadcasting of music reached an area one mile in diameter. That the Evangelism Committee organized and many volunteers participated in a Mission Sunday School on Saturdays in the Hardwick hall for unchurched people in the Hardwick area? That our church sponsored the “Chapel Hour” on Radio KNGS at 9 p.m.? That for many years after both services were conducted in English, regular Dutch Psalm sings were held? That for several years our worship service was broadcast on Radio KRDU?

That many visits were made by various church groups to minister to those in the local County Jail and the Kings General Hospital? That in 1954 our overflow audience began to be seated in the basement, with members assigned there in alphabetical order? There were also chairs placed in the aisles of the sanctuary. That Lettie Van Groningen and her daughter, Marilyn Maccagno, provided and arranged the flowers in the sanctuary for many years? That Katherine De Boer was the church librarian for over 20 years, serving in both the old and new church libraries?


That Elsie Boogaard Bowlby took piano lessons so she could play for church and started playing in the late 60‘s, accompanying choirs and soloists? After some time off when raising her family, Elsie came back and has been playing ever since.

That Martha Vander Voet Koelewyn retired as church organist after nearly 40 years of service? That three and a half acres of land on the corner of North Leoni and Cortner streets was purchased for $10,000? We made a $3000 down payment and paid the balance in payments of $1000 annually. That Eleanor Versluys and James Van Waay were the first couple married in the Leoni Street church? That it was so hot in church at the wedding of Nancy Koelewyn and Dan Azevedo that Nancy’s sister Pat fainted? That our church members worked with the CRWRC workers in Coalinga after the October 1983 earth-quake? That our current pipe organ that was purchased in 1986 from the All Saints Episcopal church in Bakersfield has 1,732 pipes? That is 924 more pipes than the previous old Estey organ. Our pipe organ is the largest one in Hanford? That 90 year old Rev. Herman Minnema has served as our visiting pastor since 1994? That Pastor Jack Huttinga brought us into the computer age? That the parsonage became the church offices in 2003 when Pastor Sikkema purchased his own home? This was a great change because before this our Youth Pastor was upstairs, our Pastor of Evangelism was in the Cottage, Pastor was in the Prayer Room and the secretary in the current Music Room. Therefore, communication was very difficult . Everyone got a lot of exercise! That our individual mailboxes were installed in 2004? That Jane Tos officially retired as church organist in 2005 after 40 plus years of service but continues to play on a part-time basis? That Corrie Schaap (uncle of Marilyn Van Groningen Maccagno and Loretta Van Groningen Matthews) was the last living charter member when he went home to glory in 2009 at the age of 97? That Judy Stryd wrote the Church News for The Focus for many years and always included an excellent sermon review? That Ray Verhoeven has provided the maintenance of our organ and piano maintenance for 65 years? He started learning at the age of 20, as he helped his brother Gerrit Verhoeven. That Frank Bakker, grandson of charter member Frans Bakker, recently retired after being an usher for 50 years? That John Duyst served as sound technician for nearly 40 years? That Joyce Vande Beek has served as our librarian for almost 40 years? That Judy Waanders Kamper has been an organist for 27 years? That Nancy Koelewyn Azevedo has been our church secretary for over 25 years?


WE REMEMBER CHURCH SERVICES In the very early days of the church, the consistory sat on a bench on the platform facing the people, thus able to watch everyone well. After that, they sat in the front row for several years and then moved to one of the back center rows, where again they could keep an eye on everything. Sadie Braam Waanders When the consistory sat in that back row, we always sat in the row right in front of them, which was cer-tainly a good way to be sure my sister Arlene, my brother Herman, and I behaved.

Anita Verhoeven Lemos

I recall the John Stout family coming in to the old church from the front entrance because their bench was the very front bench on the right. Mrs. Stout always used her little foot bench because her legs would not reach the floor. Marge Stryd Duyst In the early days of the Hanford Christian School, Mr. Jim Veltkamp was principal/teacher and music leader. He loved to teach us all about music and especially to sing so we had a small choir which sang at an Easter program at the old church. One of the songs was “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross”. Af-ter we sang the first two verses, Mr. Veltkamp stopped us and said, “Jack Plooy (Marie Koelewyn Plooy Veenendaal’s husband) will sing the third verse.” Jack was as surprised as the rest of us because Jack and Mr. Veltkemp were not always on the best terms, but he sang the third verse so beautifully. Many of us in that choir have never forgotten the beautiful rendition of that verse and are reminded of Jack when we sing that song. (Jack passed away at the age of 42 of cancer.) Peter C. Duyst At Sunday evening services In the late forties and the fifties, a group of teen age boys would sit on the back bench of the church. They weren’t very attentive and naturally would start fooling around. More than once, Rev. Hoekstra stopped in the middle of the message and stared sternly at them. In both the old and new churches, Rev. Dryfhout would stop his message to tell them to stop messing around and pay attention. I also remember the evening when one of the spit wads being shot with rubber bands made a direct hit on a congregation member. John Tos When Rev. Idzerd Van Dellen preached (while staying with the Dryfhouts), he always ended every prayer with “Come Lord Jesus, come quickly”. Anita Verhoeven Lemos One Sunday, when John Luksemburg was an elder, his little son Robert got out of his bench and went and sat on his Dad’s lap. On another Sunday, an elder got up and reprimanded a child during the ser-vice. Jake Stryd

After a lengthy sermon on eternal life by Rev. Dryfhout, my brother John Stout Jr., asked him why it had to be that long, to which Rev. Dryfhout replied, “Well, it was an eternal subject!” Dena Stout Prins In September 1961, Rev. Gareth Kok married Richard Groeneveld and me (Albertha Koopman) during the church service because Richard was leaving for the army on Thursday. I had hurt a finger on my right hand the previous day (while washing the car with Richard) and still remember how painful it was to en-dure the handshakes of every member of the congregation. Albertha Koopman Groeneveld One Sunday, when Wes Nichols was the choir director, he turned to the congregation to direct their sing-ing with the choir and told the church members that it was okay to smile in church and show the joy of the Lord in their singing. Anita Verhoeven Lemos The first Sunday we attended the Hanford CRC was in June of 1990. Much to Theo’s chagrin we were ushered straight to the front pew! It didn’t bother me! But imagine both of our concerns when the usher came back and told us we would have to move because it was Communion Sunday, and we were sit-ting in the elders’ bench! That didn’t deter our regular attendance though, and we enjoyed many ser-mons from Rev. Kermit Rietema. (continued)


One Sunday not too long after this first mishap the Reverend announced that all the young chil-dren would be coming forward to sing for the baptism of Danny and Theresa Visser’s youngest son. Not to be left out, I sent our son Derek up there. Bless the heart of whoever was leading that effort. They put him up there but it was even apparent to us new folks that he was not supposed to up there! The Kam-per and Visser children sang bravely, and our Derek joined in where he could! It’s really no wonder that he has hated any kind of public performance since then. Theo and I, of course, came down with a bad case of the giggles and had a hard time explaining to Derek why we were laughing! Not a shining mo-ment, but we survived and came back for more! The Hanford CRC has been a wonderful church home for us for 22 years now, and we’re pleased to be able to celebrate this milestone in the life of our church! Jeanne de Haan In June 2006, we transitioned from holding two morning worship services (contemporary and traditional) to one worship service. Considering the major change, the transition was smooth. I'm very grateful we did it. It is such a blessing to worship together without the huge division of "us" and "them." I don't have any specific memories of the event other than the last Sunday of May, it was two worship services, the first Sunday of June it was one. And here we are today, worshiping the only true God who never changes with songs that were written in the far past and songs written within the last two years. The cross which unites us is far more powerful than the differences that could divide us. Denise Postma CUSTODIANS REMEMBER Steve Koelewyn remembers that on his first Sunday as custodian, he didn’t read the bulletin before the service so he didn’t realize there was going to be a baptism. He was very embarrassed when he had to parade through the whole church with the pitchers of water. Hank and Marie Versluys considered the years they served as our church custodians as “the very best years of their lives”. Sharon Versluys Elgersma I remember Marie Versluys coming to the back yard of the church office almost every day with her little bucket and pruning shears to cut off the dying roses. The roses flourished under her care. Every time I prune the roses, I remember her. Denise Postma I remember Marie Versluys would bring me coffee and goodies throughout the week and donuts each Friday. Nancy Koelewyn Azevedo Case and Albertha Van Hofwegen saw the Hanford “custodian needed” ad in the Banner while living in Rock Valley, Iowa. They responded and became our church custodians. Albertha also remembers Bram Stout sticking his head in the oven with her to “help” her clean it. On Case Van Hofwegen’s first Sunday as custodian, he remembered to put the water in the baptism font. But after church when Gerald and Betty Hoek Van Soelen invited both the Van Hofwegens and the Riete-mas for dinner, Rev. Rietema told Case that he had never had such cold water for baptism! Albertha Van Hofwegen During the years that Clarence & Cora Vryhof were custodians, Cora remembers how locating each other sometimes required a lot of walking. They had no cell phones and even though they finally got some walkie-talkies, they didn’t always work when separated by longer distances. There was the time when we were custodians that we could not figure out what the terrible smell was in the women’s restroom. One day we heard a little noise in the heater closet and discovered a dead pi-geon and remains of several other pigeons, who had entered through the roof vent.

Cora Vander Moren Vryhof


WE REMEMBER OUR ENTERTAINMENT Joe Heuseveldt is fondly remembered for his service to the young people. He loaded his old White truck with hay bales, the young people piled in on the bales, and away to Yosemite or Sequoia we went and enjoyed the snow and ice skating. Nell Van Waay Prys I remember breathing in the gasoline fumes all the way over and back. Grace Duyst Vander Moren During the 1940’s, the Fox Theater was frequently patrolled by consistory members – and those young people that were seen there were approached by the elders. (This was because parents felt their chil-dren needed to be completely separated from the “world”.) Anonymous Every Christmas the Sunday School children put on a Christmas program. We remember meeting down in the basement on that Sunday evening and then walking up the stairway and into the church singing “O Come, All Ye Faithful”. We always sang that same song at the beginning of every program. After the program we looked forward to the brown sack with hard candy and an orange. That was such a special treat. Marge Stryd Duyst Mission Fest at Mooney’s Grove in Visalia was a part of the church in the early 1940’s. Everyone looked forward to that day. The usual schedule was to have a missionary speak at a 10 a.m. service, followed by the families eating their “packed at home” picnic lunch. The afternoons were spent seeing how high we could make the bench swings go, playing in the special playground for younger children, and the most fun was the row boats. The dirty water lake was quite large with ducks here and there. We were warned not to stand up in the boat or go too close to the edge and never to get out anywhere except back in the boat house. There were even men watching our every move at the edge of the lake. One Mission Fest day, someone recalls Gerrit Boogaard (Elsie Bowlby’s father) falling out of the boat into the dirty water. Thankfully he was tall because he was able to walk out. Another incident at the park was when Corrie Vennema attempted to jump the rock border barrier but caught her leg and ended up seriously hurting her elbow and had to be taken to the hospital. Marge Stryd Duyst The Young People Society was an active group in the 1940’s. There were years when they gave pro-grams at the church, at least once at the Kings River School, and then in 1950 they presented the play “Anne of Green Gables”. The cast included Joanne and Gary De Boer, Grace B. Duyst Van Groningen, John Duyst, Marge Stryd Duyst, Peter C. Duyst, Wilma Groeneveld Gunnick, Nora Maliepaard Martinis, Alice Biesbrock Montemagni, Jane Stryd Van Houten, and Carrie Vaalburg Vermeer. Everett Vande Beek (Joyce Vande Beek’s uncle) was teaching at Woodrow Wilson School, and he loved drama. He directed the play, and it was performed at the Woodrow Wilson Auditorium across the street from the church. It was so successful that Ripon CRC invited the cast to perform the play in Ripon. Grace Duyst Vander Moren Wedding receptions and anniversary parties were so much fun to attend. There was always a pro-gram with a master of ceremonies. The programs included plays and skits, musical numbers, and group singing. Many of the skits and songs were original and humorous, fitting for each occasion. Anita Verhoeven Lemos Everett Vande Beek organized and directed elaborate programs for wedding receptions. Grace Duyst Vander Moren As a child, I was so impressed by Sadie Waanders’ chalk drawings. Frequently a men’s quartet that included her husband Arie sang a hymn, as she drew beautiful pictures about the song they were sing-ing. Marge Stryd Duyst

(continued)


I remember different singing groups, some mixed, some just men or women. I remember Dick Versluys (Martha Versluys Van Gronigen’s Dad) and my Dad T.P. Maliepaard playing organ solos. I also remember my Mom Jennie Maliepaard reading some of her own poetry. But what impressed my young mind the most was listening to Arie Waanders singing “The Old Rugged Cross” as his wife Sadie Waanders did a chalk drawing of “The Old Rugged Cross”. By the time Arie finished the song, Sadie had finished the chalk drawing. I remember a light shining on the picture. I thought it was so beautiful. Kuno Maliepaard I remember playing Rook after Sunday night church with three other young people and being criticized later by adult visitors for being allowed to play with “devil cards”. (I thought that was better than “dragging Main” like some of their grandchildren and besides Rook Cards weren’t “devil cards”.) Lynn Dryfhout Tos WE REMEMBER CATECHISM Catechism used to be held on Saturdays in the old church basement. We were dropped off at the church by our fathers and while we were attending, they went to the down town Justeson’s grocery store, dropped off their list of groceries and then went and visited together on 7th Street. After Cate-chism, we would walk all the way into town to meet them. Often the men’s conversations continued until it was time to go pick up the boxed groceries and then go home to milk the cows. I remember get-ting terrible headaches while waiting in the sun without a hat because I was used to always wearing a straw hat at home. Bert Duyst We were given five pennies for the Catechism offering. Sometimes only four pennies were put in the of-fering because one penny was used to buy a jawbreaker from the store right down the street before catechism started. That was a special treat! During the Catechism lesson, we had our mouths full of the jawbreakers. Maranatha ladies and Grace Duyst Vander Moren In the early days of Saturday Catechism, elders sometimes hid behind the trees to check on who was at-tending. One Saturday Pierre Versluys (uncle of Charlotte Kremers Frese) who had established quite a driving reputation, circled around and around the trees where the elders were hiding. Ray Verhoeven Pete Verhoeven (Ray’s brother) once set an alarm clock in the kitchen before Catechism began. When it started ringing, it startled and upset Rev. Hoekstra. Sadie Braam Waanders The catechumens were required to memorize the Catechism answers word for word, with no deviation allowed. I remember questioning my mother why we had to know these answers word for word. Grace Duyst Vander Moren 1944 was an election year. President Theodore Roosevelt was president and was running against Dewey. Most of the farmers favored Roosevelt as he had been good to the farmers but evidently the pastor was for Dewey. On a Saturday Catechism afternoon, one of the farmer’s sons removed the Dewey posters he spotted in the pastor’s garage. When this action was seen by the pastor’s son, he angrily chased the “thief” around the house until the culprit dropped the posters. Peter C. Duyst We know one young man who got in trouble while in catechism because he didn’t put money in the col-lection plate. The teacher threatened to tell his father. Jake Stryd Catechism was taught for several years during class time at Hanford Christian School, with non-church members excused. Anita Verhoeven Lemos


WE REMEMBER THE FUNNY The Woodrow Wilson School was across the street from the old church, facing it. Some of the guys hung around the school after Saturday catechism, either playing football or sitting on the tall large pots near the entrance of the school. One Saturday, one of those boys actually got stuck in a pot and needed help getting out. Bert Duyst It was the custom for some of the men and teenage boys to visit outside the Elm Street church before the church service began. The rest of the family would go into the church to sit in their usual bench. Of course, the teenage boys were the last ones to enter. They had observed the men who were smoking, then watched them place their partly smoked cigars in various places outside the church. Some were placed on the window ledge, brick facing, church sign, or in the “Y” of a tree. Once the men were in-side, these boys would go around and mix up the cigars so the men would have a different one when they came out. I seem to remember doing this a “time or two”. After church, the men resumed smoking their cigars and never seemed to notice they were smoking someone else’s cigar. Ray Verhoeven Lynn Dryfhout Tos and a friend also waited until the men went into church – and then changed the ci-gars around. She doesn’t know if the men ever noticed! During those years in the old church when everyone had their own place to sit, many of them kept pil-lows at their place to be more comfortable. One Sunday a friend was over, and we changed all the pillows around and then went to church early that night and watched people search for their own pil-low. Lynn Dryfhout Tos I also remember how Gerritt Boogaard, (Elsie Bowlby’s father), took his shoes off in church. One Sunday night a friend and I sat behind him and with our feet moved them “way over” and “back.” Guess we were the only ones to enjoy the moment [Lynn, we appreciate your honesty in sharing your various pranks, although we do wonder who the “friend” was!] Lynn Dryfhout Tos Lynn Dryfhout Tos resented being called a PK because so many people expected preacher’s kids to al-ways be good and an example to other children. She recalls going out of her way “to show people that she was normal (or sinful and naughty) like the other kids.” WE REMEMBER THE NOT SO “GOOD OLD DAYS” In the old church, members had their own pews and woe to anyone who tried to sit in their place! Unfor-tunately, we lost some visitors when they were told, not too kindly, to move because they were in some-one else’s pew. (In Holland, the immigrants had paid for their own pews, so this was probably the rea-son they still felt entitled to a certain place.) Maranatha ladies The Dutch services were difficult for the children and young people who did not understand Dutch . Books were sometimes read during the service to help the time pass more quickly. Sadie Braam Wanders The change from Dutch to English was gradual and difficult but it reached crisis proportions when the change was made to all English. Nell Van Waay Prys How sad it was that some of the earlier church members never had the assurance of their salvation. Even when near death and talking about going to heaven, they would say, “I hope so.” They seriously felt they were not worthy. Maranatha ladies


MORE MEMORIES I remember the sales held by the Ladies Aid Society in the basement of the Elm Street church. When I was a pre-schooler, I wanted the Jack and Jill rag dolls being auctioned and made quite a fuss. Amaz-ingly, Pop and Mom (John and Toh Verhoeven) bought them for me, but I was in big trouble when we got home. Anita Verhoeven Lemos We were so shocked when Janet Plooy (Marie Koelewyn Plooy Veenendaal’s daughter) died of a brain tumor when we were in the 7th grade. Her funeral in our church made a huge impression on all of us, her classmates. Anita Verhoeven Lemos I will never forget the tragic deaths in 1956 of five of our church members who were on their way to Burris Park for a family reunion. Henrietta Heuseveldt Gunnink, Dena Luksemburg, Marie Oldenburger, children Diane and Danny Oldenburger were killed in a horrible traffic accident, which also injured other family members. I can still visualize those five coffins across the front of the Civic Auditorium and how we all “lost it” when a soloist sang “Danny Boy”. Anita Verhoeven Lemos Herman Verhoeven remembers helping with building the Leoni Street parsonage and church in 1956 and 1957 - and how so many young people and men came out to help, even in the evenings after busy days at their own jobs. Women did a lot of work in the parsonage and provided lunch and snacks to all the workers. The sound system in the social hall was in the corner near the light switches. A small window was installed so the operator could see what was going on. Later, the sound system was moved to the balcony. John and Marge Stryd Duyst Bruce Wickers installed the wires for new speakers in the sanctuary, and I remember him crawling all the way up from the back of the church through a small crawl space near the pillars on the south side of the church. John Duyst Nell Prys remembers the years in the late 1960’s and the early 1970’s when she and her husband John and Gerald & Betty Hoek Van Soelen were the Young People’s Society leaders. Gayle Van Soelen Zonneveld remembers that she and her siblings greatly enjoyed going to the Young People’s conventions with her parents. I remember that when I was President of the Ladies Aid Society which included the responsibility of being in charge of their annual Sale. Just before it was time to start, Leonard Bakker (Frank’s Dad) came up to me, whispering that he couldn’t be the auctioneer because he had lost his voice. I panicked and tried to get another auctioneer but couldn’t find anyone to do it. Then just when it was time to start, Leonard Bakker came to me and said that he could do it. There was nothing wrong with his voice, and he thought the whole thing was very funny! I didn’t!! Albertha Van Hofwegen Wolly Verhoeven Duyst Koning was known as Aunt Wolly by well over half of our congregation. She was really only the aunt of the Verhoevens and lots of Duysts and Koelewyns, but through the many years in the life of our church she became Aunt Wolly to many. Anita Verhoeven Lemos I remember when I was doing a chalk drawing with the song “His Eye Is On the Sparrow”, teenager Bill Tos Sr. (John & Bill Tos Jr. father) proceeded to whistle loudly throughout my drawing. It was distracting! Sadie Braam Waanders We remember how difficult it was to light the candles in the candelabras at weddings when we had swamp coolers. It was either turn off the coolers and be hot so the candles could be easily lit and stay lit or keep the coolers on and know it would be hard to light the candles and they might not stay on. Gayle Van Soelen Zonneveld and Judy Waanders Kamper


MINISTERS, STAFF, and their FAMILIES REMEMBER REV. RICHARD FRENS, 1930 - 1940 Roland Frens shares a few memories he and his sisters, Verna and Sylvia, have of their stay in Hanford: We lived at 427 W. Elm Street, just down from the Woodrow Wilson 7th and 8th grade school. I remem-ber climbing the apricot tree in the back yard, right next to the church. We remember waking up some mornings to find packages of freshly slaughtered meat from either cows or pigs on our back porch, placed there by some church friend. Many times we never knew who put them there, just knew that some generous and kind friend was busy that morning. We remember that Larry and Corrie Vaalburg lived next door to us. We remember Christmas seasons, when many would come to the church to build the pulpit platform larger to accommodate the Christmas Sunday School program and to pack the candy sacks to pass out to all the children…. wonderful memories!!! We remember the church picnics at Mooney’s Grove in Visalia….wonderful times… remember one time when someone hit the ball into the ostrich pens and our Dad climbed in to get the ball – Wow!! I can say that Hanford has remained in my memory as a wonderful place with wonderful people!!! I think of my time there often and am truly sorry and disappointed that I will not be with you at this celebration. May God bless you in the future as He has in the past…..hopefully we will see you next summer.

Sincerely, Roland, Verna, and Sylvia (The Frens’ Kids)

Rev. Frens growing up on a farm helped him relate well to the congregation. This was especially impor-tant during the depression years, when the church was unable to pay all of his salary and instead gave him farm produce. I remember my parents loading a box of produce for him on many Sunday morn-ings. Nell Van Waay Prys 1930 FINANCIAL REPORT HIGHLIGHTS

Total income was $5172.10. Regular collections brought in $1124.24, with a special collections total of $362.26. The largest income, $3067.20, came from the budget envelopes. Expenses totaled $5,348.87. These expenses included: bank note paid in full, $600; candy and oranges for Christmas Program, $20.16; janitor and supplies, $338.50; insurance, $64.50 for three years; new gas stove, $72.50; plumbing and chimney sweep, $32.60; Psalters, $160.26; telephone, $25.93; utilities, $84.83. Visiting pastors were paid a total of $254.30 until Rev. Frens arrived in September. His moving expenses and salary for the remainder of the year was $1249.42.


REV. PETER HOEKSTRA, 1940 - 1949 The Hoekstra family left the Chicago area during a cold rainy week in May 1940. We arrived in Hanford on a 100 degree day in June. There were swamp coolers in the parsonage and church, and people carried hand fans. The city water reeked of sulfur. There was a pump next to church, and we got our drinking water there. Each family in church had their own pew. Ours was near the front. On Communion Sunday there were tables and chairs in the front of the sanctuary. People went forward and sat there to partake. There were four cups with wine. My sister and I tried to be in the first group so we could sip our wine before the older men with mustaches might contaminate it. Our family went to church Sunday mornings, even though it was all Dutch. We sang the Psalms but didn’t un-derstand the language. Evening service was English. We had a large choir and enjoyed singing cantatas but didn’t sing during church services. One December before Christmas, we were shocked when we walked in church. There were two Christmas trees on the platform, gaily decorated with lights and ornaments. The place was ablaze with color. The CRC churches in California sponsored Young People’s Conventions which were well attended. The Han-ford church took turns with the Ripon and Alameda churches. After being in Hanford a few years, Dad finally convinced the elders that the youth needed an English service on Sunday mornings. He always thought about the next generation. Being a firm believer in Christian educa-tion, he helped to establish the Hanford Christian School. Evelyn Hoekstra Hetjonk Before the Elm Street church building was purchased, the people met above one of the stores on 7th Street, either above Van Andels or the one to the west.

My parents Simon and Jennie Hetjonk were charter members.

When the basement of the church was dug, horses were used to scrape the dirt away.

A hitching post was placed on Park Avenue for Mr. and Mrs. Donkersloot, an elderly couple who came to the church in a horse and buggy. The church had a men’s chorus that sang for special occasions. Simon Hetjonk Jr.

Rev. Hoekstra loved the song “Holy, Holy, Holy”, and we sang it so often that everyone would think “Oh, no, not again!” Anita Verhoeven Lemos Rev. Frens’ years during the depression had been difficult financially, but Rev. Hoekstra’s pastorate was even more difficult. Making the change to all English services and several other matters caused much dissension. Thankfully, God led and guided the congregation through these years.


Rev. William Dryfhout, 1949 - 1959

The Dryfhout family always looked back with fondness at the wonderful times they spent in Hanford.

Lynn Dryfhout Tos has the following memories of living in Hanford:

The friendliness of the people when moving to Hanford.

The parsonage on Elm Street seemed large, and we children liked having our own bedroom area upstairs. The floor radiator was easy for us to lay next to and hear “juicy” conversations from downstairs, but our lips were sealed. It was easy to read without our parents knowing when we were supposed to be sleeping.

Farmers being so generous bringing fruit for us to enjoy. Those peaches were so juicy and delicious! They also sometimes brought meat when they butchered. I still am not fond of eggs after watching my mother make baked goods with bloody eggs that could not be sold. All these things did help the budget!!

Dad spending long hours visiting parishioners and being gone with our only car. Sometimes I went along and waited in the car. Those visits probably weren’t long but to a child they seemed to be.

No car at home – so walking to town for groceries.

Meeting Uncle Idzerd Van Dellen, when he came to stay for a month in the winter, and his treating us to ice cream at Superiors or Peter Pan.

Mother having the janitors in for coffee or tea when they came to clean the church.

Having company every Sunday night after church after Mother had gone through the directory to figure out which people would work together so each couple would come once a year.

The annual consistory party: Mother busy making food and Dad figuring out which games to play.

The common cup for communion and everyone going to sit at the tables in front. Not everyone could fit at the same time so it took several “sittings”.

Going with Mother to visit the elderly who lived in the neighborhood on Sunday afternoons. (Tom and I still enjoy visiting the elderly and sick in our present church.) Serving at the church’s 50th anniversary celebration that was held in the Civic Auditorium. Many wedding/anniversary celebrations were held there, although they were usually in the church social hall.

Women (at least the heads of households) being able to finally vote at Congregational meetings.

When Jacob Prins and I (Dena Stout) got married in 1956 Rev. Dryfhout, who had a gift for playing on words, chose as our wedding text Psalm 14:7 which ended with “JACOB shall rejoice and Israel shall be glad.” (KJV) He then referred to Genesis 32:28 which says…..”Thy name shall be called no longer JACOB but Israel; for as a PRINCE hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.” (KJV) What our guests thought of the wedding sermon, we’ll leave to the imagination. Dena Stout Prins I remember how much Rev. Dryfhout enjoyed making travel arrangements for his parishioners. We sometimes joked that if he was not a minister, he would make a great travel agent! Arlene Verhoeven De Vries


REV. GARETH KOK, 1960-1969

Pastor Kok’s time here was very special for our family. Both Len and I made Profession of Faith during his pastorate, and he married us. He also baptized both of our children. Greta Koelewyn Souza Our church and nursery were getting crowded, as many members traveled from Fresno and Visalia. Dur-ing Pastor Kok’s pastorate, daughter churches were started in both Visalia and Fresno. Anita Verhoeven Lemos On September 15, 1965, a celebration was held honoring Rev. Kok’s 35 years as an ordained minister in the Christian Reformed Church. Grace Duyst Vander Moren Rev. Kok frequently used verses 7, 8, and 9 of Psalm 96 for his salutation: “Ascribe to the Lord, O families of nations, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name; bring an offering and come into His courts. Worship the Lord in the splendor of His holiness; tremble before Him, all the earth.” Grace Vander Moren Duyst

REV. HENRY BAJEMA, 1969 - 1979 Several ministries that started during Rev. Bajema’s pastorate have remained an important part of our church life. These include deliveries of worship tapes (now CD’s) to those confined to their homes and skilled nursing facilities, as well as an annual dinner hosted by the deacons for widows, widowers, and sin-gles. The Helping Hand Committee was formed during his time here; food was, and still is, supplied for sor-rowing families after memorial services. Our first youth director, Keith Timmer, was also hired during Rev. Bajema’s time as pastor. Anita Verhoeven Lemos KEITH TIMMER, First Youth Director, 1975 – 1978 What a delight to recall my years at Hanford CRC! I have so many great memories!

I remember our youth group meetings….watching the kids grow in their freedom to talk about Jesus (and struggling to get them to sing)….and who could ever forget about going out for ice cream afterwards.

I remember great summer weeks at Hi Camp at Mt. Hermon… (water balloon launchers/ great cabin fun)…and our bike trip along the California coast (remember the trees falling down around us during the wind storm one evening?)

I remember the great Hanford CRC hospitality and being invited to so many homes for dinner and laughing together.

I am still amazed at our discipleship meeting where the kids had to read three or four whole books in a very short time.

I remember praying for the church early Friday morning with Bill Hofmans.

I remember my little house by the Hanford High School where so many kids would stop by and ‘hang out’.

I remember feeling this love in my heart for so many different kids at one time.

Most of all, I recall how marvelous it was to see Jesus work among us and change hearts.


REV, ROBERT VAN HOFWEGEN, 1980 – 1985

Memories…. Hanford CRC…First of all, I just want to congratulate you as a congregation for 100 years of faithful ser-vice in the Lord’s kingdom. I am also very grateful to the Lord for His faithfulness to you for preserving you and keeping you all these years. I had the privilege of serving Him as your pastor from 1980 to 1985. These were five of the best years of my life and I have always been very grateful to the Lord for them. We had good friends, good times and rewarding experiences in your midst. Let me just remember with you a few of them. As I do this, please keep in mind that some of these memories may have gotten distorted over the course of the last 27 or so years. I guess that’s what age does..., but at any rate, among the many memories I have, here are some of them:

My kids learning to ride their bikes in the church parking lot.

My youngest son, Joel, 4 years old or so, “visiting the ladies”, as he would put it, in the old Cadet building when they would have their weekly gathering doing, I think it was, “cash for trash”. They always had treats for him.

A running dart game with Hank Versluys in that same cadet building over bourbon and soda.

Tennis games with Bob and Jane Tos, also with Jake and Ruth Stryd, and along with the holiday tennis tournaments we would have in Visalia…we always seemed to be on the losing end of things.

Golfing with Len Souza, Bob Tos and others, again typically being on the losing end of things, but always enjoying it because of the company.

Jogging with John Tos which became a very competitive thing, each one of us pushing the other one to better and lower times…and then relaxing afterwards with a glass (or 2?) of wine.

Playing church softball, with the highlight of my career hitting a home run off John Tos (he proba-bly won’t remember that, but I do!)

Deep sea fishing with the Hofmans brothers, where a number of guys got severely sea sick: Hank Versluys, John Tos (he tried to buy the boat off the captain so he could get back to shore!), Jim Stryd, to name a few…at any rate, I was able to catch a 48 pound ling cod.

Eating my first Santa Maria tri-tip at Frank and JoEllyn Bakkers’…it was delicious, accompanied by a delicious red wine!

Teaching the Tos twins, Tami and Teri, to drive my 4 on the floor vehicle when taking them home after babysitting (I don’t know if Bob and Jane knew that !)

Grandpa Hank and Grandma Marie…my kids loved them and they loved my kids, what a bless-ing Hank and Marie were to them.

Making visits on 80 year old birthdays

Making sure that when I would visit John and Gertrude Stout, they would always be the last visit of the day…John always wanted to serve a “stout” glass or two of red wine

And I can go on…so many ministry memories as well: The weddings The baptisms…the last baptism I did was, I think, Cindy and Roger Aguirre’s baby on my last

official Sunday at Hanford CRC 3 days after he was born! The professions of faith Seeing people coming to the Lord for the first time and/or returning to the Lord All the fellowship activities we enjoyed in the church Family Visitations, especially with Case Kamper Sr. and Gerrit Visser

All very joyful times! (continued)


But then there were the more somber times…and I’m thinking primarily of all the funerals I did during my five years at Hanford, with the last one being, I think, Annie Koelewyn, three days after my last official Sunday at Hanford CRC. What a huge help Rev. Voskuil was (remember him?) during these times – a huge help for a young pastor! But I also remember that the vast, vast, vast majority of these funerals were for those who were numbered among God’s children. That made it so much easier because we knew that they were with Jesus in the mansion prepared for them. So many memories…and I was only at Hanford CRC five years! But, as I said, they were among the best five years of my life. It was a joy serving here, not only in your midst, but also with you. I always felt that we served together, whether at consistory meetings, elders meetings, committee meetings, fellowship get-togethers or whatever. To me it was always a together thing. We had fun and we served in God’s kingdom together. My prayer is that the Lord will continue to use Hanford Christian Reformed Church over the next 100 years to the majestic glory of His name!! REV. TIM OUWINGA, Intern Pastor, 1980 – 1981 Greetings to the Hanford Christian Reformed Church and best wishes on your 100 year celebration. Deb and I were honored to share a brief part of that history in an internship from September of 1980, to May of 1981. Our time there was under the direction of Rev. Bob Van Hofwegen. I had opportunity to preach, attend Council meetings, teach catechism, work with the young people and young adults, serve on the Evangelism committee, as well as many other pastoral duties. It also gave me a chance to preach in neighboring churches and to see many parts of California. Having always lived in the Mid-west, it was especially interesting to see the different type of agriculture in the San Joaquin Valley and to enjoy the National Parks. Our involvement with the youth group enabled us to work with Floyd and Caroline Burrus and others. We had many events, one of which was a retreat with the kids in Sonora. We also enjoyed time with the young adults, including a retreat at Hartland, as well as many young married activities. I played basket-ball with Dan Visser, Case Kamper, Brad and Darren Reenders, to name a few. Deb enjoyed being in the choir, playing volleyball, and helping with the church directory. Thanks to Jake and Ruth Stryd for the use of their pool on hot days, to Pam Stryd Smith who often babysat our son Jason while we were busy with activities and Bob Tos for giving us great deals at the Workingman’s store. Apologies to Case Kam-per who didn’t get his money’s worth when he bought me for $100 at the “slave auction”. We have many other great memories of church members we cannot all name here, including many coffees and dinners you provided for us, always making us feel welcome. Also social gatherings at Straw Hat Pizza and Superior’s ice cream. The varied activities we participated in not only served you but were helpful to prepare me for the minis-try which soon followed. Since then I have had the opportunity to pastor churches in Inwood, Iowa; Racine, Wisconsin; Orange City, Iowa; and currently in Pipestone, Minnesota. After leaving Hanford our son Jason was joined by two sisters, Tracy and Lisa. All three are married and live near us in northwest Iowa, and we are now expecting our sixth grandchild to be born this fall. We had opportunity to revisit Hanford and see the church and community with the Burrus’ last fall when we were out to visit relatives in Visalia. It brought back many wonderful memories. While we cannot join you for your activities, we certainly have fond memories of you all. Your theme says it well: “Give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the LORD is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations.” May the Lord continue to provide His blessing as you serve Him in the years to come. Cordially, Pastor Tim and Deb Ouwinga


REV. DAN BROUWER,1983 - 1985

Congregation of First CRC in Hanford, Congratulations on your 100th anniversary. Mary and I had the privilege of serving the congregation from 1983 to 1985, when I was employed by the congregation as an Assistant Pastor/Youth Pastor, serving at that time with Rev. Robert Van Hofwegen. When we left, a committee was being formed to plan the 75th anniversary celebration. Time goes by quickly, but God’s faithfulness does indeed extend from genera-tion to generation. What Mary and I remember and appreciate most about the congregation was the support and encour-agement the congregation was to us in the birth of our first son, William Niel. He was born with immature lungs and almost died during his first 24 hours after birth. He sustained a brain injury when he was so close to death. When he came home from Valley Children’s Hospital 11 days later, the pediatric neurologist told us that “He will walk, when he walks, if he walks. He will talk, when he talks, if he talks.” The congre-gation was so faithful in praying for our child, and God was faithful. Niel is now a Registered Nurse work-ing at Pine Rest Christian hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Mary and I would once again like to thank the congregation for your support and encouragement at that time. Our second son, Russell James, was born in 1990 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He is now a Junior at Calvin College in the Educations program, studying to be a high school teacher. We are grateful to God for both of our children and thankful that they both know and serve the Lord. Since leaving Hanford in 1985, I was ordained to the ministry in Rock Rapids, Iowa CRC and served there six years. I then served First CRC in Waupun, Wisconsin for seven years, and then East Paris CRC in Grand Rapids, Michigan for eight and a half years. I now serve Second CRC in Pella, Iowa, and we have been here almost five and a half years. We would prefer to be closer to our aging parents and two sons in western Michigan, but we really love serving this congregation, so we consider the many trips back and forth to Michigan a small price to pay for all the enjoyment and fulfillment God has given us at this point in our lives. May God continue to pour out His many graces on the congregation of First CRC in Hanford.

In Christ, Dan and Mary Brouwer

REV. KERMIT RIETEMA, 1986 - 1991 Mrs. Glea Rietema-Scholten is happy to be able to attend this grand occasion. She shares some lessons learned while she and Rev. Kermit Rietema were in the Hanford parsonage. Lesson # 1: “PEOPLE ARE MORE IMPORANT THAN POSSESSIONS,” Pastor Kermit sharply retorted back to me after I hesitated to say a prompt “Sure, Dear” to his request to hold a committee meeting in our living room. My excuse was that we had just moved in, and the new living room sofa, chairs, tables, and lamps had not come in yet. So, this church committee would have to sit in an EMPTY room. However, to add fuel to his explosive outburst, he reminded me that “Glea, don’t you know that all this STUFF will get burned up and disappear when the Lord returns”? He then left in a HUFF and went to the study in church, and I prayed for peace of mind. This peace grew legs and I sheepishly went looking for him (I still didn’t know which room was his study) to reassure him, that “I was wrong, and he could invite the committee to meet here”. I said we could put down pillows and borrow some church folding chairs. He said, “Wonderful, I will help you!” So, with the help of janitor Hank Versluys he carried them over and back! That was our first and only argument over things that don’t matter. PEOPLE MATTER, NOT POSSESSIONS! I finally GOT it after 33 years as a pastor’s wife. (continued)


Lesson # 2: HANFORD HONORS THEIR SENIORS by visiting them in their homes on their 80th (and older) birthdays. And the preachers and their wives are expected to be among the attendees. WHAT? This was a new custom to me, learned when Marie Versluys informed me of this custom and asked us to ride with them to the first one. This was the week after the above incident. Every single birthday after that, we attended gladly. Was that why I gained weight from the yummy cookies, etc.? Gotta blame some-thing! Lesson # 3: SOME DAIRY COWS LIKE TO BE MILKED THREE TIMES A DAY! Is that why I didn’t marry an Iowa farmer? Lesson # 4: THERE ARE OVER 200 different FOOD PRODUCTS grown in this SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY, and some of them need a certain number of nights of 17 degrees to properly germinate them. Did I get that statistic right? Correct me if I’m wrong, John Tos! Lesson # 5: BE CAREFUL WHEN YOU RIDE YOUR BIKE UPTOWN! What you thought was a parked car, might be a lady driver who decides to open her driver door, just as you come up beside her. After picking him-self up and checking for injuries, Pastor Kermit used that opportunity to invite her to church. Ask me sometime, if she ever got over her embarrassment and came to worship. Lesson # 6: YOU DEAR, generous people KNOW HOW to raise and DONATE huge sums of MONEY – tri-tip barbecues in the parking lot will attract a crowd every time, especially when slaw, beans, rolls, and pies are included! Lesson # 7: HANFORD PEOPLE CARE for, PRAY for, and lovingly UNDERSTAND when their flock members are injured, straying, and sick. Kermit and I can personally testify to that. We thanked God every day for you when he was so sick in 1986 back here in Denver!! Lesson # 8: A little SUMMER HEAT builds sturdy hard-working character, and makes the crops grow; thick, chilly FOG makes for a foggy day school schedule! Not bad, kids. Lesson # 9: “DUCT TAPE WILL FIX ANYTHING, and my Grandpa sells it here!” TOLD to US by Ray Daniel-son’s grandson Dane. He also told us he remembers being baptized by Pastor Rietema as an infant – WHY? “Because I was there, and I remember it!” Lesson # 10: NEVER SAY NEVER – especially when my Pastor Tom Drayyer asked me soon after becoming a widow, “Do you ever think you would REMARRY if the right person came along?” I quickly replied, “I doubt it; when you’ve had the best, who is there to top that? Besides, I’m too old!” Well, six years later, God and Dr. Bill Scholten changed my mind. We have had 11 years of married life together. KERMIT has taken me around America: from Iowa to southern California ,to Colorado, to Michigan, to Illinois, and back here to Hanford. BILL has taken me around the world: from London to Paris, from Greece to Mos-cow, Oslo to Vienna, Piza to Barcelona, and recently from Beijing to Shanghai. Bill is still practicing medi-cine so cannot come to this event, but he sends his best wishes. Lesson # 11: YOU CANNOT HIDE FROM GOD WHEN HE SENDS HIS MEN AND WOMEN OUT TO GET YOU TO VOLUNTEER FOR HIS KINGDOM WORK! I really tried to avoid Carolyn Burrus the first few weeks here be-cause I knew she would do her best to recruit me to help in the Coffee Break ministry. Thanks, Carolyn for not giving up on me. Because of this, my life has changed for the good. Excuses won’t cut it when we are needed in God’s vineyards. He’ll prune away the excess baggage and things in our lives to ac-complish His will. Ephesians 4:13 is still my motto. Lesson # 12: ALMONDS: the L is silent. You call them amonds! I finally get it!

During Rev. Reitema’s time here, I was a young organist who was always “up tight” because Rev. Rietema maintained a tight schedule and wanted the service to start the minute he stepped on the platform.


Rev. Jack Huttinga, 1992 – 2002 When I came to pastor the Hanford CRC in October 1992, the congregation had been without a pastor for at least a year and a half. The congregation was very ready for a new pastor and welcomed us very warmly (both emotionally and with more 80+ degree days in the first month than we had in 10 years in Alameda). My first official duty was a funeral for a lady whom I had never met. And so began one of the things that marked the ten year of ministry for me in Hanford. I conducted funerals – more than 60 of them from October 4, 1992 to January 2002. Some of them were glorious home goings. Some of them were really hard – like the funeral for Pastor Bart Huizenga whom I had just grown to appreciate a great deal. Some of them were heart-breakingly sad, like the service for Wyatt Den Dulk who was just a little boy or the services for a little baby who was just a day old. Dealing with dying people in Hanford was of-ten an experience of great encouragement for me as elderly people spoke eloquently of their faith in Jesus. Sometimes walking with people through the process of dying was oddly humorous. One morning I stopped to visit a lady dying of cancer. She was confined to bed, and I just let myself in and went to her bedroom. When I walked through the door she opened her eyes and said: “Oh, it’s you again. I was hoping that when I opened my eyes I would see Jesus.” We laughed together. Two days later she did see Jesus. One of the highlights for me was the experience of mentoring and working with youth pastors. We have a ton of great memories of John Klompien and his dog Tonka and his deep love for discipling young guys and hiking in the mountains. John and I talk often about ministry in the CRC. He has visited in Montana, and we have visited with John in Michigan. Al Richardson only stayed a year or so, but I enjoy keeping in occasional contact with him. He is currently the pastor of Bethany Reformed Church in Canton, South Dakota. The third youth pastor we worked with was Stan Plooy. I remember telling Stan one day as we met for prayer: “Stan, you aren’t such a great custodian, but you would be a great youth pastor.” I’m glad the council finally agreed to hire him. Thinking of custodians I have such great memories of working with Case and Albertha Van Hofwegen and with Clarence and Cora Vryhof. They took such great pride in the church’s appearance, and they did so much to keep everything in good working order. Ev and I enjoyed just talking with them, and they were very tolerant of all Ev’s gardening enterprises. Some of my best and most wonderful memories are of worship. I was often blessed by the various worship leaders – especially the organists: Leanne, Judy, Jane, Karen, Jeanne, and towards the end of our stay Denise. When they opened up the organ and dusted off the pipes just by playing with thunderous exu-berance, I found myself at times simply lost in the wonders of the good news presented in instrument and voice. Sometimes it was the pianists who brought tears to my eyes as they flooded the sanctuary with the glorious praise of God- Chantel, Monique, Elsie, Carol, Sheri, Linda, or one of the young people. The small groups and the choirs and the congregations’ singing at the top of their lungs on a Christmas day or an Easter Sunday morning are things I’ll never forget! I remember some long struggles for change like the change to two morning services. It took a year or so to finally get to the point where that change was made. In hind-sight I think I would have probably ap-proached it differently had I known then what I know today about worship. I remember the joys the con-gregation found in receiving missionaries whom we supported through the Faith-Promise pledge system and some really great Mission Emphasis Week rallies. Some of my best memories were in Coffee Break leaders’ meetings where we went over the lesson that was coming up. I learned so much from those la-dies who were such excellent students of the Word. Hanford was the home of two of our son-in-laws, and they have proved to be big blessings in our lives. Hanford CRC and Hanford itself was a great home for our family. I loved being able to go out to farms and dairies to see how God blessed the working of the earth and the stewardship of His creatures. I loved those faith-talks with members going through crises or just trying to integrate their faith and their daily lives. (continued)


Hanford CRC gave me the opportunity to be involved in prison and jail ministry which is still one of my great joys. Hanford CRC presented me with the opportunity to develop the deepest personal male friendship I have ever had in my life – one that challenged me spiritually and emotionally. During our years in Hanford we were involved in several small group Bible studies which provided spiritual and social stimulation which was simply off the charts of blessings. We had a lot of really good blessings during our years in Hanford. We are grateful that we got to spend almost a decade of its history serving as its’ pastor and pastor’s wife. To God be the honor and the thanks! Pastor Jack Huttinga

REV, STAN PLOOY, Youth Director, 1998 – 2004 I have so many memories when I was serving at Hanford CRC, but I will share a couple of them. I remember on October 31, 2002 when we combined efforts with the First Baptist Church of Hanford in hosting a Harvest Festival. There were so many people that it felt like the whole town of Hanford was at our church. We had search lights, carnival atmosphere, bounce houses, and we blocked off Leoni Drive so that we could have trick and treat for all the children. It was an awesome evening. In 2004, we had our first of three Teens Encounter Christ weekends, and they were powerful spiritual ex-periences for our students and community students as well. Good times!

Marv Anderson, Minister of Evangelism, 2000 – 2004 Dear Friends at Hanford CRC, Congratulations as you celebrate the 100th anniversary of God’s faithfulness to you in ministry to the people of Kings, Fresno and Tulare counties, California. Doreen and I would like to thank you for the four years we shared in this ministry with you. We came to Hanford as empty-nesters and started work August 1, 2000. I felt very grateful to receive the job offer because I was 61 at the time and was charged with the job description of minister of evangelism. In the first few months, several members of the congregation introduced me to the community. We began to talk about outreach at the Kings County Fair, the Monday Hispanic Market, the Farmers’ Market and the International Farm Show in Tulare. In the fall of 2000 the Billy Graham organization arrived in Fresno to gather churches up and down the San Joaquin Valley to bring a crusade event to the football stadium at Fresno State in early summer 2001. Several members of HCRC received evangelism and counseling training by the Graham organization, and then took part in one of the last stadium events where Dr. Billy Graham spoke. No one could have prepared us for 9/11/2001. Our nation was slammed into shock as passenger jets hi-jacked by terrorists smashed the twin towers as another plane plowed into the Pentagon. More Americans lost their lives that day than the attack on Pearl Harbor 60 years earlier. Within the church community of our area of California, there seemed to be a spike in spiritual interest brought about by the tragedy of 9/11. The longer term effect, I believe, was the uptake of people getting together to pray. Here again I was proud of the way HCRC got behind the National Day of Prayer movement. The year 2002 was the transition between the pastoral leadership of Pastor Jack Huttinga and Pastor Lam-bert Sikkema. Pastor Holwerda helped us through this time with pastoral care and worship leadership. Key elders stepped in and gave leadership and encouragement to Nancy Azevedo, Stan Plooy and me. We were able to move ahead with our work as staff. With the help of volunteers from churches in Visalia, Tulare and Hanford, we started the hospitality outreach at the International Farm Show in Tulare. I think 2002 was the year women of the HCRC started helping mothers and their children at the Women’s Center. Ted Bos-well, a Christian Reformed World Missionary from Japan, helped jump start our outreach ministry at the Thursday evening Farmers’ Market by teaching a number of us to twist balloons. (continued)


In March 2003, President Bush ordered American Armed Forces to go to war against the regime of Sad-dam Hussein in Iraq. With Lemoore Naval Air Station close by and Pastor Sikkema serving as an Air Force chaplain in Fresno, HCRC seemed more attentive to supporting our armed forces personnel. At the same time we were seeking new ways to do evangelism in our community. Dr. Al Vander Griend chal-lenged us to develop cell groups of prayer throughout our community and Pastor Stan Drenth helped us to understand church growth through servant evangelism. And we continued to talk about starting AL-PHA. As I entered my 4th year as minister of evangelism, the Farm Show ministry and Mission Emphasis planning set my agenda for the first months of 2004. In March I turned 65. It was time to think about retiring. My agreed date for leaving HCRC was August 31. We missed you when we left and we still miss you now! Thanks for being part of our lives. Thanks especially for loving us and praying for us as we went through the ordeal of Heidi’s 34 month jail and prison stint. Two more churches and almost 8 years have passed since we departed from Hanford in the fall of 2004. Serving as a part time staff member at Mountain Springs Community in Salt Lake City provided a way for my slide into the ranks of the retired. Doreen worked part time as a community health nurse here in Washington until early last year. We are currently involved in the life and ministry of Family of Faith CRC in Kennewick, WA. We both help with teaching and mentoring Somali and Burmese refugees. Doreen vol-unteers as a nurse at Grace Clinic and the Tri-Cities Pregnancy Centers. I serve as the volunteer coordi-nator for spiritual care workers at Grace Clinic. My best days are marked by God’s grace in being able to listen to and speak to people about our Lord Jesus Christ. REV. LAMBERT J. SIKKEMA, 2002 - Present Forever faithful, that’s our theme as we celebrate our centennial anniversary. Forever is something we commit to in those times when we want to make a promise and really, really mean it. We think about for-ever at weddings, and baptisms and professions of faith. Forever: we don’t really know what that means. We have no frame of reference for it since all we know is beginnings and endings. Life starts and stops. Institutions begin and end. People come and go. Traditions get going and fade away. The one thing on earth that’s not going away is the church. Congregations may come and go. Denominations may come and go. But the church is forever, because it is the bride of Christ and He is forever. So the mystery of our union with Him reminds us to always take the long view of things. Besides, it’s comforting to do so as well. By the end of August, I will have had the privilege to serve you as your pastor for 10 years. It is indeed a privilege and I am grateful for it. How quickly the years slip away. A lot of things have moved and morphed over the past ten years. This is a noticeably different place than it was when I arrived. We make our plans, says the Bible, but it is the Lord who guides our steps. For the balance of this remembrance I want to just touch on a few of the landmarks along our pathway together. The first thing to stand out in my memory of this pastorate is worship services at 8:45 and 10:30 Sunday mornings. It was always a curiosity to me that the contemporary service was the earlier of the two. No doubt those were interesting discussions back in the day that schedule was being decided. Today we have a blended worship service at 9:30. The decision was not without pain or puzzlement. Warnings were issued from multiple directions. Yet, here we are worshipping together as a congregation. We seem to (by God’s grace) have gotten through the most difficult phase of the ‘style-of-worship’ issue. This is a calmer or should I say more serene place today. I am grateful for that result. (continued)


The next thing that pops up in my mind as I think about the past ten years is the dramatic shift in the membership. I recall going almost a whole year with no baptisms. That’s astounding! I have also buried 54 members of this congregation. Twice it happened that we had two funerals on the same day. What is even more remarkable is that we have not had a funeral here since January 2011. In the past few years we have seen a large number of young families get started. Lots of children in the youngest grades are changing things dramatically (think Children’s worship). Then lately too, we have a noticeable shift in the number of folks who have come to visit and eventually join us as members of this congregation. Many of these members are not from our traditional sources of recruits. This is a most wel-come development, and one that will no doubt nudge us eventually into new programs and pathways of ministry. I am grateful for this development as well. We should not omit the development of our Spanish ministry initiative. We have been talking about ‘Spanish’ ministry here for more than 25 years. Then along comes Pastors Gabe and Mimi Carvajal and an approach to establishing a Spanish ministry program that is, by all accounts, rather unusual. Instead of developing our own unique ministry, the Lord took us down the path of a ‘joint-venture’ with Koinonia Internationale. This congregation is thriving under our roof. We have enjoyed joint ministry initiatives and projects. This has been good for both congregations. We are looking forward to a long and fruitful rela-tionship with these brothers and sisters. I am very encouraged by this God glorifying relationship. I’m quite sure that the longer I sit here and think about stuff that has happened over the past 10 years . I could keep writing for several more pages. Suffice it to say that our congregation is growing and matur-ing in wonderful ways. I am so grateful to have shared the experience with you. May God continue to bless us all for the glory of His name’s sake. Shalom, Pastor Sikkema MORE MEMORIES We remember how the boys would climb the metal stairs to the upstairs on the northeast corner of the church and throw the spiky balls from the liquid amber tree at the girls. Gayle Van Soelen Zonneveld and Judy Waanders Kamper We remember how we girls often hid in the bushes by the west side stained glass window of church when the boys were trying to find us. Gayle and Judy We remember how we used the steep back wooden stairs on the southeast corner of the church as a slide. Gayle and Judy I remember one of the first things Pastor Jack said to me was, “We are going to get you a computer!” I thought, “Oh, no! I don’t know a thing about computers!” Under his expert tutelage, I soon found out a computer made my work much easier! Now I can’t imagine my job without it. Nancy Koelewyn Azevedo I remember the small office quarters I shared with John Klompien. What is now the Music Room was two offices. John’s office had the heater, so we had to leave the door open for my office to get heat. Nancy Koelewyn Azevedo I remember the years we had a 10 minute song service before the evening service started. The men that took turns leading it might plan ahead and let the organist know which songs would be sung that eve-ning, but sometimes they allowed the congregation to call out the numbers of the songs they would like to sing. Judy Waanders Kamper


CHARTER MEMBERS* with lineage to CURRENT MEMBERS**

BAKKER BOOGAARD Frans & Jobje Bakker Gerrit (George) & Adriana Boogaard Leonard & Marge Bakker Gerrit & Jennie Boogaard

Frank & JoEllyn Bakker Elsie Boogaard Bowlby Kathy Bakker Chad & Risa Bakker Bert & Norma Boogaard Cyle, Scott, Faith Bakker BRAAM Antony & Lena Braam

Arie & Sadie Braam Waanders Bill Sr. & Annetta Braam Tos Case & Judy Waanders Kamper John & Victoria Tos Bill Jr. & Linda Tos Robert & Brent Kamper Jeff & Sheri Tos Leslie, Mark & Jordan, Erica Tos

DE RUITER Leen & Anna De Ruiter

Henry L. & Mata De Ruiter Clarence & Gertrude De Ruiter Verburg Leonard & Rose De Ruiter Charlene Verburg Garcia, Melinda Verburg Ben & Monique De Ruiter Ouwinga HEUSEVELDT HOEK Marinus Sr. & Henrietta Heuseveldt Dick Sr. & Betsy Hoek Otto & Johanna (Ann) Heuseveldt Groeneveld Dick Jr. & Anna Hoek Richard & Albertha Groeneveld Bob & Betty Hoek (Van Soelen) Stewart Jack & Gayle Van Soelen Zonneveld Jarett & Sarah Zonneveld Corey, Piet, Jillane Zonneveld Jackson & Reagan Zonneveld TOS Joe & Nellie Tos Bill Sr. & Annetta Tos John & Victoria Tos Bill Jr. & Linda Tos Jeff & Sheri Tos Leslie, Mark & Jordan, Erica Tos VAN GRONINGEN Anton (Tom) & Lambertus Van Gronigen Albert (Duck) & Martha Van Gronigen John & Lettie Van Groningen (Albert John & Lori Van Gronigen) Richard & Marilyn Van Groningen Maccagno Shawn & Kristina Van Gronigen and Melvin & Loretta Van Groningen Mathews Gavin, Ashlan, Boden Van Gronigen


VANDEN HEUVEL John & Jennie Vanden Heuvel Dick Jr. & Anna Vanden Heuvel Hoek Bob & Betty Hoek (Van Soelen) Stewart Jack & Gayle Van Soelen Zonneveld Jarett & Sarah Zonneveld Corey, Piet, Jillane Zonneveld Jackson & Reagan Zonneveld VERHOEVEN Peter G. & Ariaantje Verhoeven John & Antonia (Toh) Verhoeven Ray & Annetta Verhoeven Richard & Anita Verhoeven Lemos Pete & Lujean Verhoeven John & Angela Lemos , Karin Lemos Stevens, Timothy & Theresa Lemos Anneka & Grant Verhoeven Jordan, Alexandra, Julia, Jessica Lemos James & Cassandra Lemos VERSLUYS Dick & Sophia Versluys Fred & Sophie Versluys Kremers Albert (Duck) & Martha Versluys Van Gronigen John & Charlotte Kremers Frese (Albert J. & Lori Van Gronigen) Shawn & Kristina Van Gronigen Gavin, Ashlan, Boden Van Gronigen

* AS SHOWN IN INCOMPLETE CHARTER MEMBERS LISTING ** AS SHOWN IN CURRENT CHURCH ROLLS (except names in parenthesis)

Bold names indicate the lineage CHARTER MEMBERS + (Incomplete) CONFESSING MEMBERS BAPTIZED MEMBERS Mr. and Mrs. Frank Bakker Gerrit Boogaard Mr. Anthony Braam Mr. & Mrs. George Boogaard Henry D. De Ruiter Mr. Dick De Ruiter Mr. Harry De Gelder Mrs. Leen De Ruiter Marinus Heuseveldt Jr. Mr. T. De Graef Johanna Heuseveldt Tom Hoek Mrs. Dick De Ruiter Corrie Hook Lettie Hoek Mr. Leen De Ruiter Peter Kooi Nick Kooi Mr. & Mrs. Simon Hetjonk Sr. A Boy Kooi Lena Kooi Mr. & Mrs. Marinus Heuseveldt Sr. Tillie Kooi Bettsy Kooi Mr. & Mrs. Dick Hoek Sr. Nellie Kooi Dora Kooi Mr. & Mrs. Kasen A Boy Kooi Lena Schaap Mr. & Mrs. K. Kooi Marie Schaap Corrie Schaap Mr. & Mrs. Joe Luksemburg Lawence Wm. Tos Gertrude Tos Mr. G. Meyer Michael Van Andel Edward Vander Ziel Mr. Bas Roubos Elizabeth Vander Ziel Lucy Vander Ziel Mr. K. Santifoort John Vander Ziel Jake Vander Ziel Mr. & Mrs. John C. Schaap Henry Vander Ziel George Vander Ziel P. Sillevis Smitt Mr. Henry Van Groningen Mr. & Mrs. Tom Van Groningen Mr. & Mrs. Joe Tos John Verhoeven Gerrit Verhoeven Mr. & Mrs. Van Andel Wolly Verhoeven Connie Versluys Mr. & Mrs. John Vanden Heuvel Mr. & Mrs. Jake Vander Ziel + All deceased Mr. Tom Van Es Mr.& Mrs. Luke Van Herwynen Corrections and additional information in Mr. & Mrs. Peter G. Verhoeven writing will be appreciated Mr. & Mrs. Dick Versluys


Ministers of the Church

Rev. Jacob Bolt+ - Home Missionary of Classis Pella………..…….……….1911-1912 Rev. Leonard P. Brink+……………….………….……………………………….1913-1915 Rev. Fredrick W. Stuart+………………….……………………………………...1915-1919 Rev. John De Jonge+………………………….……….………………………..1921-1929 Rev. Richard J. Frens+…………………………………………………………...1930-1940 Rev. Peter Hoekstra+…………………………………………………………….1940-1949 Rev. William Dryfhout+…...………………………………………………….…..1949-1959 Rev. Gareth S. Kok+.……………………………………………………………..1960-1969 Rev. Henry Bajema+………………………………………...…………………..1969-1979 Rev. Robert E. Van Hofwegen, Living Faith Community……………..…..1980-1985 Rev. Kermit Rietema+…………………………………………………………...1986-1991 Rev. Jack Huttinga, Manhattan CRC……….……………………………….1992-2002 Rev. Lambert Sikkema…………………………………….………………...2002-present

+deceased

Consistory of 1912

Elder Deacon Dick Hoek Frans Bakker Jake Vander Ziel Joe Tos

Council of 2012 Elder Deacon Theo deHaan Ray Danielson Peter deJong Joe Jimenez Darrell Kootstra Murray Minnema Dennis Rietema Mike Pacheco Dave Roach Bruce Pickering Scott Schmidt Corey Reenders Jake Stryd Tim Thomas John Tos Jeff Tos Pete Verhoeven Garrett VanHeeringen Mike Vryhof Frank Zonneveld

Current Staff

Rev. Lambert Sikkema, Minister Rev. Herman Minnema, Pastor of Visitation

Denise Postma, Director of Worship Nancy Azevedo, Church Secretary

Tim VanderMoren, Church Custodian


FOREVER FAITHFUL What great courage our grandparents had They left their homeland, their Mom and Dad, All that was familiar to them, all that they knew, So that dreams in California they could pursue. Saying good-bye to all those they held dear. There must have been shed many a tear. Probably only the occasional letter then, Not till heaven might they be together again. How could they so many hardships endure? Because their strong faith in God was so sure! With them came a love for Christ’s Church so strong, A desire to worship and to a Hanford Church belong. They tried local churches but couldn’t understand what was said, So they got together and some Dutch sermons they read. In nineteen hundred twelve, the first church building was bought - And to the corner of Elm and Park streets, it was brought. They experienced great joy singing the Psalms in Dutch; And soon a small pump organ added a special touch. Only the Dutch language was used at first, Then one English service a month was interspersed. The purchase of a pipe organ brought great delight; Then a change to Dutch in the morning, English at night. Through much discussion and prayer, their fears were allayed When in 1949, the change to all English was finally made The faithful congregation continued to grow, Soon the basement contained the overflow. Everyone realized it was time to plan For a new church – and so it began. 1957 was a special year for absolutely everyone: Our 45th anniversary, and the new church was done. Wonderful blessings God did bestow, As our congregation continued to grow. Through the years many changes have been made From the days when only the organ could be played. Always serious our services used to be, you know; No feelings should anyone ever, ever show. But now we smile, laugh, and sometimes even clap too - Although the Praise team first caused some hullabaloo. We greet our visitors and new members with glee, Because no longer the Dutch church are we. “Forever faithful” our God has been, Continuing to forgive our every sin. For 100 years, we’ve experienced His grace, Through Him alone, we are in this place. We humbly thank Him on this special day, For guiding us each step of the way. And to Him “forever faithful” may we be, So that Him living in us, all others will see.


This page is for YOUR memories!


Thank You, God

We come to God, each and everyone,

Thanking Him for all He has done.

Without Him, all would be for naught,

But to us, many blessings He has brought.

For 100 years, He has guided and led –

Has helped us each year, to go full speed ahead.

He has been with us through the good and the bad,

And upheld us whether we were happy or sad.

Without Him, we would not be celebrating this day,

So to You, Lord Jesus, we humbly come and say,

“Thank You for your faithfulness to this church so dear,

Thank You for always being so near.”

THIS ‘N THAT

We have enjoyed preparing this special Centennial edition of the Focus for you.

As you read the remembrances of so

many of our members and staff, we hope that it will bring back many memories for our older folks and new information for all

of you “who have come after”.

Although we realize that there have been problems during our church history, God has nevertheless blessed us richly throughout

these 100 years. Our God has certainly been FOREVER FAITHFUL.

As we begin our 101st year, it is our sincere hope and prayer that each of us will always remember to go forward in faith! May we honor our faithful God in all we think and

say and do!

We plan to publish a Centennial supplement to the Directory which will be available later for everyone who has the Directory. The identification of everyone shown on the Church Life pages is also being prepared and will be available at the same time.

[ The regular edition of the Focus will be published in July. We plan to honor all our graduates. It is important that you inform either Nancy in the church office or Lael Dunn @ [email protected]

or 904-5149 about each of your graduates. We don’t want to leave anyone out but

need your help. Thank You! ]

Nancy and Anita

CENTENNIAL COMMITTEE Leonard DeRuiter, Chairman

Nancy Koelewyn Azevedo Rose DeRuiter Dean Johnson

Judy Waanders Kamper Tommy Koelewyn

Anita Verhoeven Lemos Denise Postma

Grace Duyst Vander Moren

Bill Wynne

Gayle Van Soelen Zonneveld

FIRST CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH

2175 Leoni Drive ~ Hanford, California

Phone: 559-582-4423 Fax: 559-584-2235

[email protected]

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hanfordcrc.org

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