Hope PRC of Redlands, CA
This article documents the founding and early history of Hope Protestant Reformed Church in Redlands, California, tracing its origins from forty families who left the Christian Reformed Church in 1932 under the guidance of Rev. Herman Hoeksema. The resource provides a chronological account of the congregation's development, including key events such as building construction, the establishment of the first PRC Christian day school, a significant 1953 schism, and a succession of pastoral leaders through 2019. This historical narrative offers valuable insight into the PRC's expansion beyond its Michigan roots and the practical challenges faced by early Reformed congregations in California.
A call went out across the country to Rev. Herman Hoeksema in Grand Rapids from a group of forty families in Redlands, California. The year was 1932, and these families had left the Christian Reformed Church due, at least in part, to the consistory's decision to end worship services in the Dutch language. Thankfully, Rev. Hoeksema's consistory gave its okay and the great teacher came to California to instruct the saints there and to help organize First Protestant Reformed Church. (While in...
Full article available on sb.rfpa.org