January 28 Today in OPC History

On this day in 1973 the first worship service was held in Sheboygan, Wisconsin for a group which would become Grace OPC. The work was begun several years earlier as an outreach of the First Christian Reformed Church of Sheboygan, and went under the name “Beacon Lights Chapel.” The purpose was to reach unchurched people in the Sheboygan area. In 1972 the decision was reached to close the chapel, but her members were unwilling to abandon their vision for reaching the community. In consultation with the Rev. John Fikkert, the Rev. Don Stanton and the Rev. Henry Fikkert, a decision was reached to join the Orthodox Presbyterian Church. Among the early members were Fred and Toni Barthels and Harlan and Nancy Harmelink. The Rev. Henry Fikkert conducted the initial worship service, held in the basement of the home of the Barthels. Their first pastor was the Rev. John Hilbelink, who served until 1979. The Rev. Jonathan Falk then came to Sheboygan and continued as Pastor until 1986. A rough period followed where the congregation dwindled in size and the closing of the work was seriously contemplated. Through the diligent labors of the Rev. Charles Ellis, the Rev. Lawrence Eyres and the Rev. Ivan DeMaster, the church was sustained and stabilized. These ministries bore good fruit and the church began to grow again. In 2005 Rev. DeMaster retired and was succeeded by the Rev. Brian De Jong.

Picture: John Hilbelink, Jonathan Falk, Ivan DeMaster, and Brian DeJong in 2015.