Paul De Koekkoek Collection, 1922-2000 | Heritage Hall, Hekman Library

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Collection Overview

Title: Paul De Koekkoek Collection, 1922-2000

ID: COLL/055

Primary Creator: De Koekkoek, Paul (1890-1982)

Extent: 11.0 Boxes. More info below.

Arrangement: Folder level description

Subjects: British Columbia League of Christian Reformed Immigration Society, 1952-1957, Canadian Calvinist, Christian Action Foundation, Christian Farmers' League, Christian Labour Movement, Christian Reformed Church - History - Records and correspondence, Clergy, Committee for Justice and Liberty, Missions, Missions - British Columbia

Abstract

Minister of the Christian Reformed Church. The collection includes memoirs entitled "Recollections and Reflections of a Country Parson: Memoirs," also the new edition; files of the congregations in which De Koekkoek served; correspondence, reports, radio messages when serving as home missionary to British Columbia, Canada, 1949-1956 and the Okanagan Valley, Canada, 1953-1956; papers concerning the Christian Action Foundation and Committee for Justice and Liberty, Christian Labour Movement, and Christian Farmers' League; correspondence with R. Schipper in connection with the honorary degree for Martin Luther King, Jr., from the Free University of Amsterdam; Canadian Calvinist; and British Columbia League of Christian Reformed Immigration Society minutes, 1952-1957.

Biographical Note

Paul De Koekkoek, born June 7, 1890, emigrated from the Netherlands to the United States in 1909 where, at the age of twenty-four, he decided to go to school to enter the ministry. De Koekkoek graduated from Calvin Theological Seminary in 1923 and was called by the Comstock (MI) Christian Reformed Church; he subsequently served in Oskaloosa, IA; Otley, IA; Hills, MN; Edmonton, Alberta; and as Home Missionary to growing congregations in southwestern British Columbia and in the Okanagan Valley. He also was pastor to the Zillah Christian Reformed Church and the Seattle Christian Reformed Church in Washington. At the age of sixty-eight he retired from active ministry but continued ministerial and community activities especially in the Seattle area.

Aside from his particular pastoral activities, De Koekkoek was also involved in other pursuits. He was editor of the Canadian Calvinist for several years after 1945. He took an active role in ministering to the Dutch immigrants and promoted the cause of Christian education on both the lower and secondary levels. He helped to set up a Christian Civic League in Seattle as well as in Pella, IA, and was involved in politics, lodge matters, and other civic concerns. He served as chaplain on an immigrant ship in 1956. He also participated in a radio ministry in the Okanagan Valley.

This indefatigable worker was mentally alert and active until his tragic death on November 13, 1982. Paul De Koekkoek was married to Lena Wassen and they had one son named John William.

Subject/Index Terms

British Columbia League of Christian Reformed Immigration Society, 1952-1957
Canadian Calvinist
Christian Action Foundation
Christian Farmers' League
Christian Labour Movement
Christian Reformed Church - History - Records and correspondence
Clergy
Committee for Justice and Liberty
Missions
Missions - British Columbia

Administrative Information

Repository: Heritage Hall, Hekman Library

Alternate Extent Statement: 5.0 cubic ft.

Acquisition Source: Gift of P. De Koekkoek

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Series:

[Series 1: Papers, 1922-1964],
[Series 2: Topic Papers, 1922-1970],
[Series 3: Memoirs],
[Series 4: Miscellaneous Duplicates of the Canadian Calvinist],
[Series 5: Topic Papers, 1922-1970],
[Series 6: Topic Papers, 1922-1970],
[Series 7: Topic Papers, Memoirs, 1927-1955],
[Series 8: Varia, 1952-57],
[All]

Series 3: Memoirs

Box 7

Item 1: Volume 1, pages 1-171
Item 2: Volume 2, pages 172-305
Folder 1: Holland Reminiscences-Memoirs, pages 1-101
Folder 2: Memoirs, pages 102-202
Folder 3: Memoirs, pages 203-305
Folder 4: Memoirs: excerpts of memoirs written by Paul De Koekkoek, edited by Elaine Smit --- 2000
Folder 5: Recollections and Reflections of a County Parson: Memoirs of Paul De Koekkoek; pages i -75
Folder 6: Recollections and Reflections of a County Parson: Memoirs of Paul De Koekkoek; pages 76-153
Folder 7: Recollections and Reflections of a County Parson: Memoirs of Paul De Koekkoek; pages 154-225
Folder 8: Recollections and Reflections of a County Parson: Memoirs of Paul De Koekkoek; pages 226-264
Folder 9: Recollections and Reflections of a County Parson: Memoirs of Paul De Koekkoek; pages 265-314
Folder 10: Memoirs: Excerpts of Memoirs edited by Elaine Smit --- 2000