Welcome
Christ Memorial is deeply committed to being a loving community of Christ-followers propelled by the Father’s transformative love, the empowering grace of Jesus, and the mending guidance of the Holy Spirit. We intentionally foster loving relationships that guide everyone toward healing community. We purposefully serve to restore hearts, lives, families, neighborhoods, and cities to vigor and hope. Simply stated, because of God’s calling and the Spirit’s strength, we think, love, and serve like Jesus.
Our Mission
We have a new Mission Statement:
Rooted in Christ,
Real in relationships,
Reaching out to all in Jesus’ name.
Our Mission Statement is aspirational –
a reflection of who we believe God is calling us to become as a church, not who we are today. It is based on the Great Commandment (Matthew 22:37-40) and the Great Commission (Matthew 28: 1920). It seeks to strengthen our relationship with God, deepen our relationships with one another, and extend Christ’s love to those beyond our walls.
Rooted in Christ.
Individually and as a church, we have a long-term relationship with Christ that is Biblically based, growing and yielding fruit. Our roots are strong and deep, even when troubles come. (Our church property is a former apple orchard, so the word “rooted” resonates in a special way.)
“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” Colossians 2:6-7
Real in relationships.
This is a call to be authentic and sincere with each other, knowing we are beloved children of God, sinners saved by grace. We can tell our stories, be kind, and offer a Godly antidote to secular culture that focuses only on appearances. Today, more than ever, families and individuals are seeking a church that is “real.”
“Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.” Ephesians 4:15
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres … And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” I Corinthians 13 (excepts)
Reaching out to all in Jesus’ name.
Reaching means actively and intentionally fulfilling the Great Commission, both locally and around the world. We seek to become a church where everyone can develop and use their gifts, strengths and resources to “branch out” and reach others. The phrase “to all” is reminiscent of our 1970’s Welcome Statement, which said, “To all who need rest, to all who need comfort … to all who need a Savior … our Lord says ‘Welcome.’”
“In your hearts, revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” I Peter 3:15
Our Heritage
A group of eleven families from Trinity Reformed Church, possessing a certain faith, hope, and vision, met in August 1956 to consider the founding of a new Reformed church in the southwest area of Holland. On November 13, 1956, a steering committee of five was elected to formulate the necessary plans toward organization. The first service was held in November of 1956. Forty-one families gathered for the formal organization at Montello Park School gymnasium on January 23, 1957. The new name became “Christ Memorial Reformed Church” on March 26, 1957. The Rev. Edwin G. Mulder was installed as the first pastor on November 7, 1957. On February 7, 1958, the architects and building committee proceeded with the building of the first educational unit on the property on 24th Street and Graafschap Road. The former sanctuary was built in 1968. As the congregation continued to increase, in 1975 the new south education wing was completed which consisted of the Fellowship Hall, Fireside Room, the two-story office building, and the Frank Meyer courtyard. The new sanctuary seating 1,700 was completed in 1989. The new east wing construction was completed in October 2006 which consisted of a community area, adult classrooms, youth area, and chapel.
Our Beliefs
As faithful followers of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, we embrace and proclaim God’s work of creation, redemption, and the fulfillment of His eternal purposes.
We believe that:
