A Long History on South Lake Avenue
Spring Lake Christian Reformed Church traces its roots to 1882, when a small group of Dutch immigrants organized a congregation and broke ground for their first building on Lake Avenue. P. Ekster arrived the following year as the church's first pastor, and catechism classes began in the same period. Over the next fourteen decades the congregation built, remodeled, and rebuilt its home on the corner, marked by milestones such as the purchase of the first organ in 1902, the first English services in 1903, a new electric lighting system in 1919, and a basement addition in 1925 that provided a consistory room, a kitchen, and Sunday School classrooms.
The twentieth century brought steady change: a rebuilt and electrified organ in 1942, printed bulletins in place of verbal announcements in 1936, the formal change of name to Spring Lake Christian Reformed Church in 1937, and the last regular Dutch service in 1948. A second congregation, Ferrysburg, was organized out of SLCRC's membership in 1953, and plans for a new sanctuary on Lake Avenue moved forward over the next decade. Ground was broken in 1961, the old building was farewelled, and the new sanctuary was dedicated in 1962.
A centennial celebration was held in 1982, followed by a Fellowship Hall and sanctuary remodel in 1994, a 125th anniversary in 2007, the final Sunday night service in 2014, and the removal of the original bell tower in 2016. A 2017 parsonage remodel preceded a major 2021 remodel of the church building itself. The historic parsonage on Fall Street was sold in 2022.
Sunday Morning Worship at Ten
Worship is held at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday mornings at the church's home at 364 South Lake Avenue. The service is also livestreamed for those who cannot attend in person, with the SLCRC YouTube channel carrying live video. After worship, the church welcomes everyone to stay for coffee and fellowship.
Wednesday Night Connect
Wednesday evenings from September through March are reserved for Connect, a church-wide gathering that opens with dinner at 6:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Room. After the meal, four programs run at the same time:
- Dwell for children from Pre-K through 2nd grade, with Bible stories, songs, games, and crafts.
- Impact the middle school youth group, with activities that change week to week.
- Bible Discussion Group for high school students and adults, usually working through the previous Sunday's sermon text. Members do not need to attend Sunday worship to join.
- Video Series a video-driven study with discussion for high schoolers and adults.
Bible Studies and Small Groups
Several smaller gatherings round out the week. The Hannah Bible Study meets on Thursdays at 9:45 a.m. and brings together women of all ages and stages for fellowship and conversation grounded in Scripture. A Men's Bible Study gathers on Sunday evenings at 6:00 p.m. on the second and fourth Sundays of each month.
Children, Youth, and Cadets
The church walks alongside families through programs for every stage. On Sundays at 6:00 p.m., the Middle and High School Youth Group meets at the church under the leadership of Mark and Ena Brondyke and Pastor Brent and Karmen Pollema, with games and a lesson. The Cadet program, a boys' mentoring and Christian education outreach that began at SLCRC in 1959, has been a fixture of life here for more than six decades.
What the Church Believes
Spring Lake Christian Reformed Church holds to the historic confessions of the Christian Reformed tradition. Members affirm the Apostles' Creed, the Nicene Creed, and the Athanasian Creed, alongside the Belgic Confession, the Heidelberg Catechism, and the Canons of Dort. The church teaches that the Bible is the infallible, authoritative Word of God, inspired by the Holy Spirit; that God is Triune, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; that Jesus Christ is both fully God and fully man and that his death on the cross is the sole and complete payment for the sins of all who turn from sin and place their faith in him. The church also practices infant baptism and observes the Lord's Supper as a commemoration of Christ's death until he returns.
Serving the Spring Lake Community
The church keeps an eye on practical needs in the surrounding community. A Household Necessities Distribution, held several times a year, provides laundry detergent, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, deodorant, and similar items to anyone who can use them. Older adults stay connected through the 60 Plus group, which gathers for meals, outings, and fellowship throughout the year.
Leadership and Staff
Pastor Brent Pollema leads the congregation, and Jennifer Florip serves as Worship Director. The church's office is staffed by Willene Van Dyke, the church secretary. The Council is led by Lee Sytsma as President and Kurt Gruppen as Clerk, with members Dick Postma, Evelyn Holtrop, Nick Buys, Jim Koster, Paul Foulkes, Brandon Sytsma, and Mark Brondyke.
Visitors and newcomers can reach the church at (616) 842-8580 or willene@slcrc.org. Online giving is available, and prayer requests can be submitted online as well.