A 175-Year Presence in Ada
Ada Congregational Church sits in the village of Ada, Michigan, a small community in Kent County just outside Grand Rapids. The congregation marked its 175th anniversary in 2024, making it the oldest church established in the Ada-Cascade area. The greeting at the top of its materials is "Welcome Home," and members describe a place that feels like home to both longtime families and first-time visitors.
First Church in the Ada-Cascade Area
The story begins on September 24, 1849, when the Congregational Council of Churches of Kent County gathered to organize the Cascade Congregational Church. At that time "Cascade" described both Cascade Township and Ada Township, so the new congregation served what would eventually become two distinct communities. In April 1850, the members agreed to relocate to a place of worship closer to where most of them lived, on Bronson Street in Ada, and the name was changed to The First Congregational Church of Ada.
On September 26, 1870, the congregation voted to build the original sanctuary, the structure that today serves as the Ada Township office. The years that followed brought steady growth and the eventual decision in 1962 to join the United Church of Christ, following the 1957 merger of the Evangelical and Reformed Church with the Congregational Christian Churches.
In 1988 the congregation broke ground on its current home, and the first service in the new building was held on June 11, 1989. The 1996 addition of an education wing opened new possibilities. The wing now houses Ada Village Preschool during the week, another expression of the church's relationship with its community. As members put it in their history, "we seek to use our facilities to bring inspiration and challenge to our people and service to the human needs of our community."
Open and Affirming Since 2024
In April 2024, the congregation voted to become an Open and Affirming church in the United Church of Christ. The mission statement reads: "United by the Holy Spirit and inspired by God's grace, we love all, welcome all and seek justice for all." The vision is "a community of faith and love, open and welcoming to all, actively serving our neighbors."
The church describes its worship as traditional while its faith and practice are progressive. Worship follows a familiar liturgical shape while the congregation's outreach and theology push at the edges. The full Open and Affirming Covenant is available from the church office and posted in print form for those who want to read the complete statement.
The church also affirms the broader United Church of Christ Statement of Mission, which calls members to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ in a suffering world, to embody God's love for all people, to hear and give voice to Creation's cry for justice and peace, to preach and teach with the power of the Living Word, and to work for justice, healing, and wholeness of life.
Sunday Mornings at Ten
Sunday worship is held at 10:00 am and typically lasts one hour. Services are livestreamed on the church's YouTube channel, and recent recordings are kept there for later viewing.
The Sunday rhythm begins with a children's message early in the service. Children preschool through eighth grade are then invited to Sunday school, and older youth remain in the sanctuary with their families for the rest of the service. Drawing and coloring supplies sit at the back of the sanctuary for those who want them. Nursery care is available for newborns through age three throughout the morning, staffed by two caring adults each Sunday during the school year.
Communion is celebrated on the first Sunday of each month. The practice at Ada Congregational is an open table, and all are invited to participate regardless of age or church background. The congregation walks forward to receive bread and a cup of juice from the deacons, with gluten-free elements clearly labeled.
Music is woven into the Sunday service in multiple ways. The Chancel Choir sings weekly during the school year, and handbells, chapel choir, and choristers add their voices through the month. Visitors will notice the warm sound of the organ, the handbell choir, and the congregational singing that is a hallmark of the service.
Wednesday Nights Around the Table
Each Wednesday from late September through March, the congregation gathers at 5:45 pm for a community dinner. Volunteers cook for everyone who comes, and the meal is free, though donations are welcome at the door. The dinners give choir members a chance to share a meal together and offer families a break from the week's busyness. Once a month the evening extends with family-friendly activities for all ages.
The dinners also anchor the music program. Youth choirs rehearse on Wednesday afternoons before dinner, and adult choirs gather on Wednesday evenings after the meal. The whole church family - children, youth, parents, and retirees - passes through the Fellowship Hall together.
Children and Youth at Every Stage
The children's ministry is built around the conviction that children and youth are an integral part of the congregation, not separate from it. The church explains that "more than children's programming, we believe in intergenerational experiences." Drawing and coloring supplies sit at the back of the sanctuary each Sunday, and children are invited to worship with their families before being dismissed to class.
SHINE Sunday School, for preschoolers through fourth grade, uses the SHINE curriculum published by MennoMedia. Classes begin with a brief combined Praise Sing before splitting by age for the lesson. Fun Club Sunday School serves fifth through eighth graders with the same curriculum, focusing on traditional Bible stories and their everyday application, with attention to justice, mercy, hospitality, generosity, simplicity, community, and compassion.
Fun Club Youth Group brings fifth through eighth graders together once a month on Saturday evenings for a mix of social gatherings and service projects hosted by parents and Pastor Rebecca. Friends and visitors are always welcome. The High School Youth Group, for ninth through twelfth graders, meets twice a month on Sundays after church, gathering at church, at members' homes, or at locations around Grand Rapids. The high schoolers also participate in multiple retreats throughout the year, led by Pastor Rick, Jackie Suderman, and a team of parents.
Confirmation is offered every two years for ninth and tenth graders, with older youth who have not previously participated also welcome. The next season runs from September 2026 through May 2027, co-led by Pastor Rick and Pastor Rebecca using the curriculum Confirm not Conform.
Vacation Bible School runs for three days each June, offering programming for four-year-olds through fourth grade and a more mature Fun Club experience for fifth through eighth graders. Recent themes include the Snowball Mountain Challenge, with stories, games, crafts, music, and science activities designed to help children learn that with the strength God provides through Jesus, they can do more than they ever dreamed.
A Full Music Program
Music is woven through every part of Ada Congregational's life. The Chancel Choir, open to adults and high school youth, rehearses on Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings and sings in worship weekly during the school year. A special Advent choir and musical ensemble perform a larger score one Sunday each Advent season.
The Chapel Choir serves youth in fourth through eighth grade and sings about once a month. The Choristers, for kindergarten through third grade, rehearse on Wednesday afternoons and sing about once a month, often combined with the Chapel Choir. The Joyful Ringers handbell ensemble, open to adults and youth fifteen and older, rehearses on Wednesday evenings and plays in worship several times a year. Additional ensembles and small groups rotate through the year, and the music directors help interested musicians find a fit.
Music leadership is shared between Ed VanOveren, Choir Director and Co-Director of Music, and Sherry VanOveren, Organist and Co-Director of Music. Patty Pratt directs the Choristers and Suzy Warriner directs the Joyful Ringers.
Missions and Local Partnerships
The Mission Board designates a special ministry each month to receive additional support beyond the regular budget, often paired with hands-on volunteer opportunities. The church partners with a wide network of local organizations, including:
- LIFT (Lifting Individuals for Today), which supports families through tax filing help and a Christmas Store where qualifying families purchase gifts at a fraction of retail cost
- In the Image, a free store and S.H.O.E.S. ministry that provides clothing, household items, and shoes
- United Church Outreach Ministry (UCOM), a UCC food pantry and resource center
- AYA Youth Collective, a drop-in shelter for at-risk youth experiencing homelessness or insecure housing
- Community Food Club, a choice-based food security program where qualifying households shop with a point system
- Home Repair Services, which strengthens vulnerable Kent County homeowners
- Safe Haven Ministries, serving victims of domestic violence with shelter, counseling, and education
- Family Promise of Grand Rapids, partnering with families experiencing homelessness
- New City Neighbors, an urban farm ministry near downtown Grand Rapids that provides fresh produce, education, and mentorship
The church also collects non-cash donations year-round. A red wagon in the church entry holds non-perishable food for UCOM. Toiletries and personal care items for AYA sit in the Fellowship Hall, alongside a drop point for old cell phones benefiting Safe Haven Ministries and eyeglasses for the Lions Club. Clothing and household items for In the Image are gathered in a Fellowship Hall closet.
Weddings in the Sanctuary
The church hosts weddings for members and non-members, and as an Open and Affirming congregation welcomes all couples. The sanctuary seats 275, including the choir loft, and is fully air-conditioned. Available for use are a unity candle holder, two candelabra, a kneeler, a sound system, and a parlor with kitchenette. Weddings may be officiated by an Ada Congregational minister or by an outside pastor, with the church organist coordinating music. Couples are responsible for the photographer, flowers, and any additional musicians.
The wedding coordinator guides each couple through planning, attends on the day, and serves as a resource for questions about church procedures and etiquette. Weddings must be reserved through the church office with a non-refundable deposit. Current rates are available by calling 616-676-2166, with a discount for current church members.
A few ground rules: alcohol is prohibited anywhere on the grounds, smoking is not permitted inside, rice and confetti are not allowed (bubbles are recommended in their place), glitter of any kind is forbidden on dresses or decorations, and the building must be vacated within two hours of the ceremony. The church is opened two hours before the wedding for deliveries and setup.
Planning a First Visit
Visitors are greeted at the door, welcomed in the entry, and offered coffee in the Fellowship Hall, where the coffee makers brew on demand. The dress code is simple: wear what is comfortable, whether a suit, a dress, or jeans and a t-shirt. There are no assigned seats in the sanctuary. The Welcome Center, under the TV screen in the church entry, is staffed each Sunday with someone ready to answer questions.
Sunday school begins for children after a brief children's message partway into worship. Nursery care is available from the start of the service for newborns through age three. The church office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm.
Online giving is available through Tithe.ly, with a mobile app for Apple and Android. The church also maintains a YouTube channel for livestreams and recent services. The church's greeting says, "Whoever you are, wherever you are on life's journey, you are welcome here."