It was in the summer of 1924 that several members of the Second Christian Reformed Church of Sioux Center were not in accord with the doctrine which had been accepted by their churches. It was then that Rev. H. Hoeksema and Rev. H. Danhof wrote their book on “Zonde en Genade” (Sin and Grace). Many read this, and then subscribed to the Standard Bearer, reading and studying the articles, with which they fully agreed.
Many times the preaching of the Revs. Hoeksema and Danhof were heard–their preaching concerning the truth of God’s Sovereignty, of man’s depravity, and of God’s sovereign, elective grace. They also explained the three points in relationship to those doctrines. Several members, some of whom were consistory members, protested against the actions of the Synod of 1924 and, as we all know, the Synod did not pay attention to them but held fast to their decision of 1924. All that was left for these members to do was either to submit to the decision of Synod, which was impossible, or to leave – which they did.
But in the summer of 1926 there were a few developments. That summer Student W. Verhil who was preaching for the Doon congregation, was asked to preach for us on Sunday evenings, which he did. These meetings were held in the Town Hall where a goodly crowd attended.
It was sometime during the month of October the same year that a letter was sent to the Rev. H. Hoeksema signed by 18 individuals, expressing the desire to be organized as a Protesting Christian Reformed Church. During the week of November 15, 1926 the Revs. Hoeksema and Ophoff arrived at Sioux Center. It was decided to organize on November 22. On the Sunday of November 21 three services were held in the Town Hall. Rev. Hoeksema based his sermons on Ephesians 1.
On Monday evening of November 22 Rev. Hoeksema again spoke in the Town Hall. The text which he chose was Revelations 2:10b: “Zijt getrouw tot den dood, en Ik zal u geven de koon des levens”, (Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life). It was that same evening that 10 families were organized into a Protesting Christian Reformed Church. Afterwards Rev. Ophoff installed the two elders and one deacon into their respective offices. Soon after having been organized into a congregation it was decided to buy a building lot and proceed to build a basement church. A humble beginning it was.
On Christmas Day of 1926 we had Christmas service in our own (yet uncompleted) building for the first time. How the hearts of the congregation were filled with gratitude to God that they might now hear the pure Word of God preached to them from week to week.
Soon a call was extended to Candidate Vos, who answered that he could come over and help us. The expectation for fast growth were at first high, but the reality was that a slow growth was enjoyed. Though from a human point of view this was not so desirable, yet it is perhaps the healthiest.