Trinity Reformed Church was formed amid enthusiasm and harmony and has prospered with these characteristics. The church began as a vision, prompted from both the crowded conditions of the other three Reformed churches in Pella and the desire to reach the unchurched. There was also the realization that the existing Reformed churches were too large for one pastor to serve adequately. As early as 1938 the General Synod president of the RCA (Reformed Church in America) had strongly urged the churches of Pella to "swarm".
On July 17, 1953, fifty interested people voted to have a trial period of two months of worship services in Pella Christian Grade School. Worship services continued and on October 22, 1953 the Trinity Reformed Church was officially organized with 39 families. The name of Trinity was chosen because there was a Fourth Reformed Church in Pella from 1869 to 1879 and again from 1894 to 1910, both of which disbanded.
The new church had a vision. Within one month the first pastor was called...without a parsonage...without a church building...without any property. There were few people, with limited resources, but with great faith.
Rev. William De Jong accepted the first call and began five years of ministry in January 1954. Soon afterwards the present property (407 Franklin Street) was purchased from the Garden City Feeder Works. Three large buildings were dismantled. On May 8, 1955 groundbreaking ceremonies took place for the new church building. The first worship service was held in the sanctuary on April 15, 1956, Less than three years after organizing.
Rev. George Muyskens was Trinity's second pastor, serving for eight years, until April 1968. During this time many new families joined the church. An educational wing with 17 more classrooms was added to the east side of the sanctuary. In 1962 the beautiful stained glass windows in the sanctuary were purchased and installed.
In December 1968, Rev. Wayne Hall accepted the call to become Trinity's third pastor, serving for eight years. He hosted two summer tours to Mexico with the youth. In 1974 the intern pastor program was begun which was a blessing to the youth and others within the church.
Rev. Donald Plantinga became Trinity's fourth pastor in August 1978. The congregation continued to grow which resulted in two morning worship services beginning in September 1979. The property directly east of the church was originally purchased for parking, however the house was remodeled and served as the Youth House with six classrooms. Children's sermons were started during the Sunday morning worship service and Wednesday night activities were modified to include Cadet and Calvinette (GEMS) programs.
The vision of growth continued when Trinity purchased the adjacent property to the west in April 1987, occupied by an old brick building and car wash. The buildings were razed and parking was expanded.
Improvement of the facilities resumed in 1995 with the acquisition of the Trinity Activity Center and in 1996 when ground was broken for an educational wing added to the west side of the sanctuary. This construction allowed the nursery to be moved upstairs and the narthex to be expanded to its present size by removing three classrooms, which were formerly along the south side. In that same year, a large manufacturing building and storage building were subsequently demolished and the present south parking lot and green space were constructed. The Trinity Activity Center has since been updated and a storage garage constructed.
Rev. Christopher Piersma became Trinity's fifth pastor in June 2002. As the congregation continued to grown, planning has begun to resume two morning worship services in September 2003.
The congregation has always had a deep concern for evangelism and for the missionary outreach of the gospel. We accept the rich heritage of the church of the Reformation, and we prize the privilege of being instructed by and in the Word of God. We cherish the Biblical ideals that challenge us to live as God's chosen people.
We shall be obedient to the Great Commission to send forth the Gospel to the ends of the earth. Because Jesus Christ invites us to join Him in the harvest (John 4:35-36), Trinity Reformed Church seeks to be a contagious community of faith that connects people to Christ, nurtures their spiritual growth, and empowers them for the harvest.
Our faith is positive, realistic, and enthusiastic. We enter into our fifty years with great expectations. To God be the glory!
