Second Christian Reformed Church stands on Sheldon Road in Grand Haven, a congregation known for deep roots, a strong Christian Reformed tradition and a Sunday worship gathering that begins at 10:00 a.m. Its mission is to reach out to serve a broken and hurting world by inviting people into God's grace and the love of his people. That identity is lived out through Biblically centered preaching, blended worship, education for every age, long-term missionary support and active service to the lakeshore community.
From Dutch Beginnings to Sheldon Road
In 1882, 75 families formed the Free Independent Reformed Church, and sermons were preached in Dutch. The first English-language sermon came in 1895, and by 1910 all services were conducted in English. The first choir was formed in 1915. In 1924, the congregation sponsored its first missionary. Its history also includes direct care during hard times: when the Great Depression hit in 1927, members joined together to provide benevolent gifts for food, heat and housing.
The move to its present location followed a careful sequence. In 1949, the consistory voted to obtain an option on lots at Sheldon and Robbins, where the church now stands. Lots for the church and parsonage were purchased in 1957. Construction was completed in 1966, and the new building was dedicated at an Easter Sunday morning service. The church celebrated 100 years in 1982. On January 12, 2003, it dedicated an addition that created multipurpose space, improved building accessibility and added much-needed classrooms. Updates to the platform, lighting, video and audio systems were completed in 2014.
Grace, Scripture and a Shared Gospel
Second CRC is part of the Christian Reformed Church in North America. Its governing beliefs begin with the Bible as the infallible Word of God: God speaks through his Word, and the church's preaching is based on it. The church teaches that people are saved by grace alone, not by anything they can do, and that receiving the sacrifice of God's perfect Son restores a relationship with God. Members are called to share the Gospel as God's missionaries throughout the world, spreading the good news of forgiveness and love.
Those convictions shape worship and work through Biblically centered services with a strong emphasis on preaching, support for Christian education, long-term support for missionaries at home and abroad, and active volunteerism toward the lakeshore community. In practice, worship, education, missions and service express those beliefs.
Sunday Worship at 10:00 a.m.
Sunday worship starts at 10:00 a.m. and generally lasts about an hour. Guests are encouraged to arrive a few minutes early, allowing time to meet people and be shown around. Friendly greeters welcome people at either the east or west entrance, and anyone can be asked for help or directions. After the service, refreshments are served and visitors are invited to talk one-on-one with church members. The congregation is social and encourages people to connect.
The service itself uses a blended worship style designed to help participants experience God's presence. Traditional and contemporary elements appear together, and different people lead various parts of the service on a given Sunday. Congregational members are encouraged to participate through reading, sharing and prayer. Pastor Tim Blackmon leads the congregation in worship and guides staff as they implement ministry plans. Services are held in English. The church records services for video and audio casts and offers a livestream. Service recordings and bulletins are also available.
Children Begin Beside the Congregation
Children have several age-specific ways to take part. Nursery care for infants and young toddlers is provided by a team of loving volunteers. Visitors entering on the west side can go down the stairs and find the nurseries on the left. Walk-Out Worship gives children from age four through fifth grade a place in the opening portion of congregational worship. Those children begin in the sanctuary, then leave just before the sermon for an age-appropriate story and craft in a child-friendly setting; a leader walks out with a banner that the children follow. Little Lambs is designed for ages two through four and includes play time, a story and a craft. Children's Ministry Director Annie Hoekzema guides the youngest members as they learn to love God and grow into Christ followers.
Learning Across Generations
Adult gatherings
Adult faith formation centers on sharing God's Word and learning what it means to be Christian in the world. Midweek Gathering is a Wednesday evening dinner and Bible study. It is organized as three sessions of multiple weeks in the fall, winter and spring. Life Groups bring adults together regularly to study the Bible, pray for one another and uphold one another. Groups often take part in outreach projects or worship services, choose their own meeting day and time, and determine how many weeks they will meet. New groups are formed in September.
Youth groups across the school year
Tool Time gives men a Saturday-morning gathering at church for Bible study and conversation about tools, home improvement and other interests. The Prayer Group meets Tuesday mornings for praise and prayer concerns for the church family. The rhythm extends to children and teenagers. Coordinator of Student Ministries Rob Wagenmaker engages tweens and teens in the life and ministry of the church. CHAOS is the middle school group, where leaders and students explore the Bible and what faith means in today's world, with games, events and plenty of activity. It meets on Wednesday evenings alongside Midweek Gathering during the school year. Focus gathers high school students for Bible study and discussion of real issues, along with mission trips, service projects and shared fun; it meets approximately every other Sunday evening during the school year. Cadets serves boys in second through eighth grade through badge work, Bible lessons, projects, camping and field trips. Combined with area churches and hosted by First CRC, it meets on the first and third Monday evenings during the school year.
Service With Gifts at Hand
Service is built around gifts people can put to use. Through Auto Ministry, congregants repair donated vehicles and coordinate with local service providers to equip community members for auto ownership. When candidates are ready, they receive a vehicle. The ministry welcomes people with mechanical skills and people who have a car to donate. The Friendship Club pairs community members with disabilities with a friend from Second CRC. Weekly gatherings include praise time, simple Bible lessons and refreshments. The Outreach Committee looks for ways to connect with the community, supports existing organizations and programs, and works to fill unmet needs. These ministries express the church's emphasis on active volunteerism and support for the lakeshore community. Its long-term missionary commitment also extends beyond local volunteer work to support at home and abroad.
Many Gifts in Worship and Community
Music and worship
Music and worship take several forms. Congregational liturgists of all ages are welcome to read, share and pray. Communication and Engagement Coordinator Ann Kaemingk engages newcomers, coordinates with the liturgy team and communicates news to the congregation. The Sanctuary Choir enriches worship periodically in the fall and spring, typically rehearsing two weeks before participating and focusing on classic choral repertoire; all voice parts are welcome. The Praise Team helps the congregation learn new music and adds varied styles of singing, with openings for vocalists and instrumentalists. The Brass Ensemble appears occasionally, bringing brass into hymn-based worship, and all brass players are invited. Audio-visual support is also a way to serve. The sound system, display and cameras are used on Sundays and for recording services, and people interested in running the soundboard, PowerPoint display or cameras are invited to help.
Shared-interest groups and the gallery
Connection continues through groups built around shared interests. The Book Club meets four times a year for informal discussions of notable novels. The Knitting Group meets twice a month for knitting, learning and conversation. The Garden Group visits member and neighbor gardens from May through September. The Hospitality Committee serves coffee on Sunday mornings, helps with bridal and baby showers, and serves at funerals. The Prayer Group centers on praise and prayer concerns for the church family. S.W.A.N., or Single Women Aging Nicely, brings together women who are single or widowed for outings and activities. The Atrium Art Gallery presents four exhibits a year featuring local artists and visual art that addresses matters of faith. Each exhibit is introduced through an Atrium Walk, and the gallery is open during office hours. Online giving is available through the church's giving portal.
A Barrier-Free Welcome
First-time guests are offered practical support at every level. Parking is ample in front and back, and a drive-through covered entrance and elevator are on the west side. Reserved accessible parking spaces are available in both the east and west lots. The west entrance is barrier-free, the elevator serves all levels, and several restrooms have accessible stalls. Vision and hearing support are also part of visitor care: a T-Loop assists people who wear hearing aids, while large-print hymnals and bulletins are available in the back lobby.
Clothing is intentionally informal and varied. Most people gravitate toward dressy casual attire, such as slacks, skirts, dresses, sweaters and sport coats. Some wear jeans or seasonal shorts, while most choose a style between formal and casual. The church also maintains a severe-weather safety policy. Services are canceled when a tornado warning is in effect or when a tornado watch remains in place until less than one hour before the service. Severe winter cancellations are determined by the Leadership Board, and members receive email notification.
A Building for Worship and Community
The church's traditionally styled sanctuary serves both worship and community celebrations. The congregation and community members may use it for weddings, with availability arranged through a Wedding Coordinator. The 2003 addition added multipurpose space and classrooms, while the 2014 technology work refreshed video and audio capabilities. The Atrium Gallery's four yearly exhibits feature local artists and visual art addressing matters of faith, and the building's accessible entrances, elevator and restrooms make its spaces usable across levels. Second CRC's story links 75 founding families in 1882 with a present built around the Word, shared worship, education across generations, missions, music, arts and practical service. At 2021 Sheldon Rd. in Grand Haven, that long history continues through the people who gather there each Sunday and through the many ways they learn, worship, fellowship and serve.