Ontario’s First CRC Celebrates 100 Years

Past and present members and pastors marked the centennial anniversary of First Christian Reformed Church in Chatham, Ont., with a three-day celebration of God’s faithfulness. 

On Friday, May 8, 2026, around 120 congregation members joined former ministers and the current pastor for a formal dinner and presentations about the history of the church, which was founded in 1926, the first Christian Reformed congregation in Ontario. 

On the following afternoon the church hosted an open house, inviting past members, members of nearby congregations in the CRC, and anyone else interested in celebrating the church’s history to join with them for treats and fellowship.

A display of photos, historic member lists and directories, and notes about the history of the church and its various ministries—such as choirs, programs for children and youth, Bible studies, and more—gave members and visitors a chance to learn more about the past 100 years at First CRC.

The celebrations wrapped up with a special worship service on Sunday, May 10, in which three former ministers—Paul Stadt, Jack Kerkhof, and Peter Hogeterp—participated alongside current pastor Nate Van Denend. At the end of the service, the four pastors stood side by side to give the concluding blessing together, a meaningful moment for the people filling the pews in the sanctuary.

The celebration was over two years in the making, said planners of the event. “The 100-Year Anniversary Committee first met in late 2023 to propose ideas for the celebration,” said Tim Bisschop, adding, “The committee focused on the entire congregation—young, old, and middle-aged—being part of the celebration.”

The planning committee noted that former pastors and their spouses or children were invited, as well as people who grew up in the congregation and later became ministers, and CRCNA leaders at various levels. Guests came from as far away as Victoria, B.C.; Bend, Ore.; and various cities in Ontario.

The committee added that it was pleased with the resulting event: “The weekend was a resounding success as we celebrated God’s faithfulness and grace to our congregation over the past 100 years. We enjoyed good food and fellowship at the dinner, visitation by former members and community members at our open house, fun children’s activities to join in the celebration, and a wonderful worship service prepared by our worship committee on Sunday. Everyone who attended was truly blessed.”

A book created for the congregation’s 50th anniversary was a valuable resource, said committee members, as they researched the congregation’s history. A copy of the book, along with other historical documents and photos, was included in the displays of memorabilia at the weekend’s events. 

Psalm 77:11-12 served as the theme for the celebrations: “I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”

The weekend wrapped up a year of remembering: as part of its centennial celebrations, First CRC served as the convening church of Synod 2025 on May 28, 2025, in an online session and then on June 13, 2025, as in-person sessions of the synod began at Redeemer University in Ancaster, Ont. 

Pastor Nate Van Denend reflected on the importance of remembering the past, carrying our memory of God’s faithfulness into the present, and finding hope and assurance for what God will do in the future. 

“Looking back over 100 years, we see how God sent a ‘dominee’ (minister) from Grand Rapids [Mich.] to a group of Dutch immigrants in Chatham in 1925,” said Van Denend. “With the spiritual and financial support of Classis Grand Rapids East, First CRC of Chatham started in 1926. Little did they know that God was preparing a place for hundreds of immigrants, primarily from the Netherlands and also other places, who would pass through Chatham and First CRC after the Second World War. As people moved on from Chatham, they started other CRCs and also joined other congregations. . . . Now at 100 years, we can look back at our history and wonder what God is preparing us for next.”