Origin and Development of the Churches

The nature of this book will not permit us to go into all the doctrinal
and denominational controversies that marked the early church history of
the community. But we would not do justice to the devout and God-fearing
pioneers of the early days, if we failed to emphasize the fact, that
with all their energy and enthusiasm along the lines of material
development, the religious life of the community received first and
paramount attention. No other characteristic is so marked in the history
of our forefathers, than their devotion to their religious principles;
and all the struggles and privations incident to life in the wilderness
were not permitted to interfere with the proper exercise and observance
of the worship of the God in whom they put their trust.

It has already been stated that before a church building had been
erected, services were held each Sabbath day in the home of G. H.
Overkamp. Rev. H.

P. Scholte led the religious services in the beginning, but owing to
doctrinal differences it was not long before several group of
worshippers were formed. Prior to 1856 none of these groups were
identified with any of the organized denominations, but formed
independent congregations with their own laws and regulations.

The leaders of the four groups of which we have a record are, of the
first, Rev. H. P. Scholte.

Of the second, Rev. A. J. Betten, J. Maasdam, A. C. Kuyper, K. De Hoog,
I. Overkamp and G. H. Overkamp. Of the third, J. Van den Berge, A.
Nultenbok, Oosterling, and W. De Haan. The fourth group, consisting of
about twenty members, met at the house of D. Van Ham.

THE FIRST REFORMED CHURCH OF PELLA

The First Reformed Church of Pella, Iowa, is the first Reformed church
that was organized in Iowa or anywhere west of the Mississippi river. It
is the mother church of the Particular Synod of Iowa. It was organized
in 1856 by Dr. A. C. Van Raalte.

The date of the Holland settlement of which Pella was the center under
the leadership of Rev. H. P. Scholte, was in 1847. But the religious
interests of the community for the first nine years after its settlement
were served by an independent church organization called "De
Christelikje Kerk." The causes for the new organization were in the main
twofold. First, some misunderstanding that arose between Rev. Scholte
and his church. Second, a feeling of the need of fellowship with other
Christian churches. So a majority of the membership of "De Christelikje
Kerk" determined to seek affiliation with the Reformed churches in
Michigan, and consequently invited Dr. A. C. Van Ra~te to come to show
them the way in which they must proceed. He came as a representative of
the Classis of Holland and with power to organize a church. DR. P. J.
OGGEL 1st Minister of FirSt Reformed Church On September 19, 1856, the
organization was effected and the new Consistory was incorporated under
the laws of the state of Iowa. Dr. Van Raalte remained with them for a
few weeks, preaching for them