Although the skyline of the city has changed with the competition to build the tallest building in Grand Rapids, one item remains the same – the many steeples of the churches that are the foundation of our ancestors who settled along the banks of the Grand River.
Each of these represents our past and the immigrants that settled in our area to give Grand Rapids the nickname “Furniture City”.
In this series you will follow the Steeple Chase throughout this great city and view the awe inspiring architecture of our forefathers. The distinct architectural styles represent the great churches of Europe from which these immigrants fled to find a new life in the United States.
This is not meant to promote any one religion, but to show how all have blended together within the City of Grand Rapids to make this one great place to live.
Third Reformed Church
Originally named the Holland Brickyard Church, Third Reformed Church was established in 1875, in the east side of Grand Rapids in the midst of many brick factories. The church was a daughter church to the Second Reformed Church on the West side of the Grand River.
During the 1900’s, the church worked to help Dutch immigrants settle in their new city and services were offered in the Dutch language.
The original sanctuary was located at the corner of Diamond and Hermitage. Due to church growth, the facility was enlarged in 1876 and again in 1886 to seat approximately 800 parishioners. A parsonage was also added on the corner of East and Holbrook Streets in 1878.
In 1969, during the time of suburban sprawl, the old church building was abandoned and a new facility built at the current location on Michigan Street.
(source: http://thirdrefgr.rcachurches.org/about-us/history/, http://dutch-reformed.wikia.com/wiki/Third_Reformed_Church,_Grand_Rapids,_Michigan)