2023 Summer Season
Service starts at 10am
- June18th
Rev. Keith Doornbos
Center for Church Renewal, Holland, MI
Music by Amanda Dykhouse
- June25th
Dr. Peter Lillback
Westminster Theological Seminary, Glenside, PA
Music by Rose Wiersma
- July2nd
Rev. Jonathon Brown
Pillar Church, Holland, MI
Music by Jennifer Kuipers
- July9th
Dr. Joe Stowell
Former President at Cornerstone University, Cure International, Grand Rapids, MI
Music by Jayne Gort
- July16th
Dr. Nathan Hart
Stanwich Congregational Church, Greenwich, CT
Music by Katie Bast
- July23rd
Dr. Felix Theonugraha
President, Western Theological Seminary, Holland, MI
Music by Bill VanEe
- July30th
Dr. Trygve Johnson
Hinga-Boersma Dean of the Chapel, Hope College, Holland, MI
Music by Roger Perkins
- August6th
Dr. Stan Mast
Adjunct Professor of Preaching Calvin Theological Seminary, Grand Rapids, MI
Music by Phil Holmes
- August13th
Rev. Bill Whitt
Cascade Fellowship CRC, Cascade, MI
Music by Roger Perkins
- August20th
Rev. Mike Pitsenberger
Overisel Reformed Church, Holland, MI
Music by Logan Pitsenberger and Lydia Karel
- August27th
Dr. Neal Plantinga
Senior Research Fellow Calvin Theological Seminary, Grand Rapids, MI
Music by Gary and Martha Matthews -- Annual Meeting following the service. All are encouraged to attend
- September3rd
Dr. Tim Brown
Ret. President, Western Theological Seminary, Holland, MI
Music by Nina Rider
The History of Central Park Chapel
Located on rail and interurban lines linking the west Michigan shore with Chicago and Grand Rapids, Holland has long been a tourist destination. Beginning in the late nineteenth century, vacationers erected summer cottages at Central Park on the shores of Black Lake, present-day Lake Macatawa. Many of them, like the permanent residents, were of Dutch descent and had strong religious beliefs. John R. Stryker hosted services on his porch until 1903 when the Central Park Chapel was built to serve interdenominational religious needs. Dr. John A. Otte, a medical missionary, led the construction of the chapel on land donated by Gerrit Zaalmink. Early services were held in Dutch as well as English. Because of the number of clergy who vacationed here, Central Park was known as "Saint's Rest."
For over 117 years Central Park Chapel has provided vacationers and area residents with meaningful summer worship services affirming the doctrines and creeds of both the Christian Reformed Church and the Reformed Church of America.
Board of Directors
- Carol Van Andel President
- Carol Danhof Vice-President
- Deborah Goris Treasuer
- Jamie VanHekken Secretary
- Tiffany Brieve
- Chad Kasprzak
- Jeanie Koops
- William Lowery
- Steve Moir
- Rick Spykman