| Information Kiosk |
| The Heritage Center at Graafschap CRC |
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This page is under construction
| 5973 Church Street Holland, MI 49423 |
| Sesquicentennial Painting "From Generation to Generation" 1847 - 1997 by Chris Stoffel Overvoorde |
| WELCOME Reasons for Emigration: Political - Religious - Economic |
| THE JOURNEY From Rotterdam - April 4, 1847 on board the Antoinette Maria to New York - May 23,1847, arriving in the Colony - June 20, 1847 |
| THE ARRIVAL Establishing a new community in the wilderness, building log homes, overcoming extreme hardships and death, with Native American neighbors |
| THE VILLAGE Around the church a community was built which included stores, post office, blacksmith shop, lumberyard and creamery |
| THE "KOLONIE" Pioneer farmers settled neighboring villages, the church family grew, with a vision for education, and sons defended our freedom. |
| THE CHURCH The great leaders were Rev. A. C. Van Raalte, Rev. D. J. Vander Werp, and Senator J. W. Garvelink. In 1857 a new denomination was born, nine daughter churches and a sister church began through Graafschap Church. |
| Each picture below is a link to more about our history (click on picture) |