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Historically, Orchard Hill Reformed Church was a project of the Reformed Church In America under the auspices of the regional Reformed Churches. The initial study by the Church Extension Committee started in early spring of 1961. In May of that year, this committee reported to the area churches, giving the results of their study. It was authorized to purchase a site and, on October 23, 1961, official approval was given to establish a new church.
It also voted to hold a $30,000 fund drive among these area Reformed Churches. The Local and State Committee also granted approval to the site on the basis of the results of a door-to-door survey in the Orchard Hill area. From that humble beginning, Orchard Hill Church has been blessed by God throughout the years.
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June 26, 1962
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Ground breaking for Orchard Hill Church |
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Sept. 2, 1962
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The first service was held in the parsonage on Clearview Drive |
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Dec. 23, 1962
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The first service was held in the new sanctuary |
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April 26, 1963
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Official organization (26 families and 8 denominations were represented in the original group) |
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April 14, 1964
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Orchard Hill Boy Scout Troop began under the leadership of Frank Luchtenburg |
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May 30, 1974
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The congregation voted to call our first Campus Pastor |
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Sept. 12, 1982
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Began two morning worship services |
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Sept. 11, 1983
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The congregation voted to add an educational wing at an estimated cost of $173,000 |
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Nov. 18, 1987
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Plans for the new sanctuary were presented to the congregation and the appointment of a Finance Committee was approved |
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May 21, 1989
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Ground breaking for the new sanctuary with a cost of approximately $700,000 |
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June 9, 1991
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The congregation voted to purchase 20 acres of adjacent land south of the church for $100,000 |
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May 2, 1993
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The congregation voted to convert the parsonage to a student ministry house |
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Jan. 23, 1994
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We began having three Sunday morning worship services |
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April 18, 1994
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The church adopted “Foundations of Faith” as a statement of what the church believes |
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Feb. 26, 1995
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The congregation approved plans for a building addition of a new kitchen and classrooms to wrap around the existing fellowship hall |
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Jan. 19, 1996
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The wrap-around building addition was dedicated ($300,000) |
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Jan. 19, 1996
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The congregation approved a plan to exchange some of our 20 acres for land more adjacent to the church |
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Aug. 25, 1996
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A college worship band began to help lead worship during the 9:45 a.m. service |
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May 21, 1997
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The congregation approved the expansion of the Orchard Hill House ($109,000), and the building of a Family Life Center |
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March 15, 1998
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The congregation approved the building of a Community Center and new classrooms ($1,718,000) |
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Nov. 22, 1998
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The congregation approved a $170,000 investment in furnishings for the Community Center |
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Jan. 18, 1999
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The Saturday evening service REAL was approved by the Leadership Board |
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Feb. 27, 1999
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Dedication of Orchard Hill Church Community Center (construction and furnishings: $1,953,700) |
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April 2000
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The first Orchard Hill Church magazine, The Connection, was published |
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June 2000
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The Leadership Board and congregation approved the finalization of the structure for the Staff Management Team |
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Jan. 2003
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The Structure Task Force was formed |
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Dec. 20, 2004
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The congregation approved the addition of 12,900 square feet for additional children’s space, lobby space, and Coffee House |
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Jan. 9, 2005
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Grundy Center Campus service began in the Grundy Center Theatre |
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Aug. 28, 2005
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The Gathering (all-church—CF & Grundy Center Campuses) was held at the Gallagher-Bluedorn on the UNI Campus |
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Sept. 9, 2005
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Began two worship services at Grundy Center |
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Dec. 28-29, 2005
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First Onefest event at the UNI-Dome |
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May 20, 2006
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Dedication of children’s space, lobby space, and coffee house |
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Sept. 10, 2006
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8:30 a.m. service in the Community Center was held (replaced 11:00 a.m. service in the Sanctuary) |
| May, 2011 |
Lincoln Center becomes a part of the Orchard Hill, Grundy Center Campus |
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Charter Members
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George & Wilma Barkhoff
Charles & Erma Christiansen
Alan De Beer
Harold De Beer
Sheryl Dirks
Johanna Heyenga
John Heyenga |
Cathy Humke
Marge Laipple
Dan Lindaman
Darrell Lindaman
Vernon & Mae Lindaman
Frank & Marian Luchtenburg |
Mark Luchtenburg
Mary Ellen Meier
Wayne & Verla Ubben
Wanda Van Duyn
Craig Zabel
Kevin Zabel |
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