Kankakee Valley Post, Volume 3, Number 4, DeMotte, Jasper County, 8 June 1933 — New Church at DeMotte Dedicated [ARTICLE]

New Church at DeMotte Dedicated

May 23 was a red letter day in the history of the Christian Reformed church of DeMotte, Ind. Over 400 people, some over fifty miles distant, assembled in the new church to attend its dedication service. Mr. Wright of Rensselaer, had kindly loaned over 200 chairs for their occasion and even then some people could not get a place. The pastors of the neighboring churches of Lansing, Munster and Highland extended greetings from their respective churches, and gave useful hints for the future welfare of the congregation. The sermon for the occasion was given by the home missionary, Rev. J. R. Brink from Chicago. He has charge of the home mission work in Illinois and Indiana. The South Holland Orchestra rendered several fine selections and the Choral society of DeMotte, recently organized, also did its share to make the program interesting. A letter, containing hearty congratulations, was read from the pastor of the M. E. church. The keys of the church were delivered by Mr. Jacob Bosch, the architect in a few well chosen words to the president of the consistory, elder John Walstra, who responded fittingly. The program was interesting from beginning to its close. On December 20, 1931, services were begun in the High school auditorium and continued every Sunday since, up to May 21. We feel deeply grateful to the school board for this concession. On April 8, on the 75th anniversary of the Christian Reformed church, the organization took place. Soon after, two lots were bought for $500, which are paid for. In August the building of the church after we began services, the edifice of 38x56 feet, built of cement blocks, was ready for occupancy. It has a roomy basement, and a gallery which is able to seat about 75 people. We are still looking for a furnace and for pews for the gallery. The cost of the church thus far is not quite $5000. But if it had not been for the many days of donated labor by our own people and by several others, amounting in all to 525 working days of eight hours each, the cost would have been a great deal more. On several occasions we experienced glad surprises. When the funds were well-nigh exhausted, unexpected loans enabled us to go on. And so the building was erected and stands as a monument of God’s loving kindness and an evidence of the loyalty and devotion of our people. He is still a Hearer of prayer, as we experienced repeatedly. The Young People’s society gave the bell and the Sunday school a nice clock to remind the pastors not to rob time from the S. S. hour. Most of the white oak circular pews were bought from the board of an unused church in Chebanse, Ill., and ten of them were donated by the Home Mission committee of Grand Rapids. These were a fright to behold, having been stored for several years in an old barn in Grand Rapids. But have undergone such a change by the use of scraper, brush, etc. that they are now an ornament to the new church. “DeMotte knows how.” Hearty thanks brethern! With the psalmist of old we exclaim: “The Lord hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.” Ps. 126. In name of the consistory, John Terborg, Clerk.