The First Reformed Church of Alexander was organized on May 8 with sixteen charter members: ten by confession and six by transfer. They were Hinrich and Gebbe Bohman, Johann and Engel Bonte, Dina Eden, Else Eden, D. Meinders, Henderk and Jentje Pastour, Reint and Grietje Saataff, Hilke Suntken, Johann Suntken, Klaas Suntken, Onno and Aleid Suntken. Speaker: Rev. D. Schaefer. Moderator: Rev. G. Veenker.
Officers and teachers of the first Sunday School were Johann Bonte, Reint Saathoff, G. H. Eilers, and Klaas Suntken
First church built. Dedication: Dec. 23. Dimensions: 28 x 42 ft.; approx. cost $2,000. Fred Reeverts was student-pastor. First Mission Feast was held in June.
July 9: Rev. Fred Reeverts was ordained and installed as pastor. Salary: $600.A house and lot were purchased for use as a parsonage from R. G. Keefer for $1400.
The women of the church organized as the Ladies Aid on Feb. 25. Charter members were Mrs. Fred Reeverts (pres.), Mrs. Jelto Pals (sec.), Sena Arenholtze (treas.)Mrs. Frank Ostendorf, and Mrs. Klaas Dirksen. Mrs. Dirk (Jettie) Dirksen joined the Ladies Aid later the same year. Projects: making quilts, and tieing quilts for others for 50 cents each. Dues were 25 cents annually, plus 10 cents per meeting, held the first Wednesday of every month in the members' homes.
The average Sunday School attendance was 32 scholars.
A stable was built behind the parsonage at a cost of $109.67.
The newly-formed congregation in Meservey sent a request to be served by our pastor.
A Young People's group was organized with a membership of 35.
A church bell was purchased from the E. W. Vandiegen Co. of Cincinnati, Ohio for $307. The 1000 lb. bell, with the inscription "Alexander Reformed Congregation - 1912" was placed in the church tower Nov. 29, and rung for the first time Dec. 1st. It is still in use today. Total cost was $435. The Youth Group contributed $70.
The Ladies Aid purchased carpet for the pulpit platform- cost $12.49. They also bought silverware (19 dozen each: knives, forks, spoons, tablespoons). Cost: $8.
June: The first Sunday School picnic was held at the John Blau farm. Later annual Sunday School picnics were enjoyed in the Peter Bohlen grove at the north edge of town.
Improvements to the church building consisted of a cement stoop at the north entry to replace the wooden one; and a new round window in the south wall.
The church building was raised, a basement dug, and a furnace installed, at a cost of $794. The Ladies Aid purchased a velvet bell-bag with two collection baskets.
Pleasant Prairie Classis meeting held here. Ladies Aid purchased a 3-burner kerosene stove to prepare meals for them, and also for future Mission Feasts. The old lamps were removed and electric lights installed at both the church and parsonage.
George William Bonte, a son of the church, was ordained into the ministry and installed as pastor of the Washington Reformed Church of Ackley, Iowa.
The Ladies Aid purchased our first English language Bible. English language Quarterlies were also used in the Sunday School. At Christmas time electric light replaced the candles on the Christmas tree in the church.
Rev. Walter J. Heyenga was ordained, and installed as pastor on December 1.
The "Cross and Crown" system of award pins was begun in Sunday School. Enrollment: 125.
The Young People's Society raised money to buy rugs for the church.
Tornado on June 11. The Ladies Aid meeting was being held in the church, but the church was not damaged. The parsonage was wrecked; later sold and moved away. A new parsonage was built at a cost of $5000. A barn and garage were also built that year.
Services changed from the German language to English. For two years a synopsis of the sermon was given in low-German to make the change-over easier. The young people re-organized under the name Young People's League.
The Y. P. League landscaped and planted the lawns around the church. They also purchased an individual-serving Communion set for the church. The Sunday School prepared nearly 300 Christmas sacks of fruit, nuts, and candy.
New Brick church built. Cost: $13,065. Cornerstone was laid Nov. 16. Dedication: April 28, 1942. Pastor: Rev. Neelo J. O. Boomgaarden. Committee: Chris Schulte, Lambert Pals, Peter Gruis, Dirk Dirksen, Carl Barkema. Final payment: Dec. 1942.
The Y.P. League hosted the annual Youth Conference of Classis in June.
A Hammond organ was installed in the sanctuary. Chimes were added later.
It was voted to enlarge the Consistory to six members.
The congregation voted to order The Church Herald monthly magazine under the 100% subscription plan. A new sound system, including hearing-aids, was installed in the sanctuary.
Remodeling and enlarging the church was begun in June with the laying of the cornerstone on July 26. Dimensions: 34x 84 ft. Cost: $61,650. Pastor: Rev. John Hoekstra. Committee: C. C. Schulte, Lambert Pals, Claas Modderman, Jelto Dirksen, George Barkema.
Dedication of the new building: July 12. The name of the women's group was changed to R.C.Women's Guild for Christian Service. Two Circles, Ruth and Rebecca were formed for Bible Study.
Reformed and Methodist children were combined for the annual Daily Vacation Bible School.
Rev. Larry Arends was ordained and installed after graduation from seminary.
The lot south of the church was acquired for use as a parking lot.
Rev. Forrest Harms was ordained and installed following graduation from seminary. All sanctuary windows were replaced with stained glass art windows.
The missionaries we now support are Mrs. Alice VanderSwaag and Mrs. Amanda Bell. New hymnbooks, Great Hymns of Faith, were purchased. Sunday School enrollment: 55.
Lay-witness weekend in April. New furnace and air-conditioning installed at parsonage. The Sunday School Christmas Eve offering of $575.60 was given to Hope Haven of Rock Rapids and the Franklin County Special Education children.
The name of the women's group was shortened to Reformed Church Women. Membership: 35 active members, 6 honorary members. The 100th anniversary of Women's Work in the Reformed Church was celebrated April 9 with a special program and guest day.
The parsonage kitchen, bathroom, laundry room remodeled, and new carpet laid.
The RCYF (Youth Fellowship) raised $1899.90 at a "Rock-a-thon" for Harmony Youth Home. The Couple's Club remodeled the restrooms at the church.
The two lots across the street north of the church were purchased and landscaped.
After a six-month trial period, the Alexander Methodist Sunday School children merged with ours. Enrollment in September: 52 plus an adult class. The RCYF (youth group) raised $810. For the victims of the Venezuela earthquake.
Rev. Burrell Pennings accepted the call to be our pastor. In celebration of the 200th anniversary of Sunday Schools, a special outdoor joint service was held in July at City Park, followed by a potluck dinner. 1980 enrollment: 48.
Seven members of RCYF attended Rocky Mountain High (a youth retreat) in Estes Park, Colorado.
The RCYF raised $4731.- through "Project Phillip" for famine-stricken India
Three members of RCYF attended Rocky Mountain High III in Colorado
All church members have for the past year entered into the preparations for, and the festivities connected with the Town of Alexander Centennial held June 21-23.