Van Dyke, Martin (1893-1951) | Heritage Hall, Hekman Library

Martin Van Dyke was aptly described as a gentleman and a scholar.  Faithfully and fruitfully he humbly served in Inwood, Iowa; Grand Rapids, Michigan at Sherman Street; Highland, Indiana; Essex, Ontario, Canada.  The longest period of his active ministry was spent in Highland.  After nineteen years there, he was called by the Grace CRC of Kalamazoo to serve as a home missionary in Canada.  He was there serving as missionary pastor of a new congregation for only one year when he contracted a physical ailment that resulted in much suffering and pain and ultimately his death at the age of fifty-eight, November 3, 1951.

He was the only son of Mr. and Mrs. John Van Dyke, members of the Second Christian Reformed Church of Paterson, New Jersey.  When Martin was twenty he made profession of faith.  He desired to enter the ministry so he enrolled at Calvin College and Seminary.  Upon graduation he pursued further studies at Princeton University, Columbia University and Princton Seminary earning the degrees Th. M. and Ph. D.  His dissertation for the doctor's degree was on "Augustines View of Human Nature."  Although Martin Van Dyke was one of the few more highly educated ministers in the denomination, the entire ministry was characterized as humble service: He was humble almost to a fault.

In the larger sphere of denomination activity, Martin served on the Board of Trustees delegated by Classis Illinois, on the General Board of Home Missions and as Synodical delegate.

Martin Van Dyke's collection was presented to Heritage Hall by his wife, Mrs. Audrey Jennie, nee Hunderman.  When the Collection was inventoried in March and April 1991, his son visited the Archives approving our actions and informing us he would check his records for additional material which will become part of an addenda.