Third Reformed Church of Holland

Third Reformed Church of Holland
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Michigan State Historic Site
Location	111 W. 13th St., Holland, Michigan
Coordinates	42°47′7″N 86°6′45″W
Area	less than one acre
Built	1874
Architect	John R. Kleyn
NRHP reference No.	71000418
Significant dates
Added to NRHP	April 16, 1971
Designated MSHS	December 8, 1967

Third Reformed Church of Holland is a historic church at 111 W. 13th Street in Holland, Michigan. It was built in 1874 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1971.

History

Dutch immigrants first settled in Holland, Michigan in 1847, and they immediately established The First Reformed Church with the Reverend Albertus Van Raalte as pastor. Over the next few years, a second Reformed congregation was established, but by the mid-1860s, the continued influx of Dutch immigrants strained the capacity of both churches. By 1866, Van Raalte recommended that the First Reformed Church be split. In 1867, the Third Reformed Church was organized and construction started on a new church building at this site. The church building was dedicated on February 14, 1868.

However, on October 8, 1871, two-thirds of Holland was destroyed by forest fires which had been burning for several weeks in areas surrounding the town. The recently constructed church was one of the first buildings destroyed. The congregation resolved to rebuild, and hired local architect John R. Kleyn to design the building. Despite setbacks, the new church was dedicated on November 25, 1874. The church has been continuously used by the congregation, and underwent a major renovation in 1967–68.

Description

The Third Reformed Church is a balloon frame structure covered with vertical board and batten siding painted light gray. with brown trim. The side walls are supported by buttresses. The original section of the building measures 55 feet by 90 feet. A 15-foot square tower runs 125 feet in height. The foundation is made from sandstone.