Iowa Church Recalls 75 Years of Milestones

Calvin Christian Reformed Church in Rock Valley, Iowa, celebrated its 75th anniversary April 26. The congregation began as the Second CRC in Rock Valley and was named Calvin CRC in May 1951.

The building the congregation currently uses is the church's second building, constructed between 1974 and 1975.

“The original church building was constructed with all volunteer labor under the direction of Herman OldenKamp and completed in April, 1953,” the church’s 75th anniversary booklet recounts. That “facility, over time, became inadequate for the congregation as it continued to grow. As a former building contractor, Rev. (John H.) Engbers was instrumental in designing the current church building (across the street from the first) and supervising its construction.”

“On August 24, 1975, the congregation met for the last time in the original church building. The congregation began singing, ‘Onward Christian Soldiers,’ with the organs of both churches playing, and walked and sang together from the original building to the current building, where the worship service continued. Rev. Engbers led the way, carrying the pulpit Bible, the Elders carried the articles for the celebration of the sacraments, the Deacons carried the offering plates, and church members carried Bibles and Psalter Hymnals.”

The April 26 celebration included services that looked to the past, to the present, and to the future, with a theme “Exalting God Through Loving Worship for 75 Years.”