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.
East Leonard CRC
In August 1925, a few people gathered at the home of Martin Lindhout to discuss building a new church that would be closer to their homes. Progress moved quickly from idea to fruition when a lot was found in mid-September to build a new basement church. Construction was quickly completed and the first services of East Leonard Christian Reformed Church took place on December 11, 1925. In October of 1926, a parsonage was also completed to welcome their new full-time reverend.
The new congregation grew quickly and the need to expand from a basement church building to a full church building was needed by 1928. The cornerstone of the new church was laid in 1929 and the new building was completed in February 1930.
By 1962, more room was needed and additions to the building were dedicated three years later in March 1965.
(source: Grand Rapids History & Special Collections, ARCHIVES, GRAND RAPIDS PUBLIC LIBRARY, archival collection #299X, Box 6, folder 9)