Verhulst, Theodore P. (1906-1955) | Heritage Hall, Hekman Library

Sheboygan Christian Reformed Church produced many sons and daughters who became ministers or teachers in the denomination.  Ted Verhulst taught for a few years in the Christian School in Baldwin, Wisconsin, before entering the ministry.

Theodore Verhulst was born in Sheboygan June 7, 1906.  The parental home placed special emphasis on covenant education.  The family moved to Hull, Iowa, where father Peter accepted an appointment to serve as financial agent for Western Academy.  The stress on Christian education may have prompted son Theodore to become a teacher.  However, after two years, Theodore entered a program of study for the ministry.

After graduating from Calvin Seminary in 1934, Theodore served the Hollandale, Minnesota, congregation beginning in July.  This small congregation had become an organized church in April.  In October the members of the church called candidate Verhulst to serve as pastor not only of the congregation but also as chaplain in Rochester, Minnesota, at Mayo Clinic, to those of the Christian Reformed Church who became patients there.

In 1938 Verhulst moved to Archer Avenue Christian Reformed Church, in Chicago.  From there he went to second Pella, Iowa, in 1943 and then served in Graafschap, Michigan, from 1948 to 1952.  During a brief ministry in Bethel Christian Reformed Church, Lynden, Washington, it became apparent that Ted would be constrained to end his active ministry because of cancer.  He died March 23, 1955, after a year of suffering during which he gave a good testimony of the grace of God in his life to doctors, nurses, and those who visited him. He was survived by his wife, Rena née Hoogeboom, and their children.

His sermonic material gives evidence of diligent study, pastoral concern and personal experience.