COLL/147 Guide to the Elbert Kooistra Collection Kooistra, Elbert Collection

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Hekman Library 1855 Knollcrest Circle SE Grand Rapids, MI, 49546 URL: http://archives.calvin.edu Email: crcarchives@calvin.edu Phone: 616-526-6913 Fax: 616-526-7689
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Guide to the Elbert Kooistra Collection Heritage Hall, Hekman Library Overview of the Collection Elbert Kooistra Collection 1921-1984 COLL/147 Elbert (Eeltje) Kooistra, 1891-1995 1.00 Heritage Hall, Hekman Library
Hekman Library 1855 Knollcrest Circle SE Grand Rapids, MI, URL: http://archives.calvin.edu Email: crcarchives@calvin.edu Phone: 616-526-6913 Fax: 616-526-7689
Minister of the Christian Reformed Church. The collection includes call letters, sermons, notebooks, papers, radio sermons, articles, serviceman letter, book by a relative (Sharing the Crown, 1971), anniversary booklets, and an autobiography in Dutch and English.
Biographical Information:

Elbert (Eeltje) Kooistra was born in Tzummarum, Friesland, the Netherlands on February 14, 1891. At the age of 2, his family immigrated to the United States and settled in Doon, Iowa. Gifted orator, Kooistra grew up with the intention of becoming an auctioneer, his father thought otherwise. Kooistra’s father encouraged him to pursue a career in ministry. Kooistra enrolled at Calvin College and Seminary, graduating in 1921.

After graduation, he served the congregation of Austinville, Iowa from 1921 to 1926. His active ministry also included the following charges: Bethany, South Holland, Illinois (1926-1930); Midland Park, New Jersey (1930-1941); Eastern Home Missions Board (1941-1944); Oak Park, Illinois (1944-1952); Fruitland, Ontario (1952-1956); Newton, New Jersey (1956-1960). Known for his good humor and practical sermons, he really connected with every day people. He even was able to broadcast some of his sermons on the radio. He retired in 1960. He resided in Grand Rapids, Michigan, during his retirement years. He described his ministry in a speech on March 16, 1983 as “a blessed ministry from 1921 until 1983.” Kooistra also found time to write articles for The Banner and De Watcher. He was a frequent delegate to the synod as well as served on a number of boards.

Elbert Kooistra died in 1995 at the age of 104. Kooistra’s first wife, Grace Koning preceded him in death after 49 years of marriage. Kooistra was remarried to Rose De Wit, and she preceded him in death as well.

Arrangement of Materials:

Folder level description

Detailed List of Contents id33626 Sermons and Papers 1921-1984 id33627 1 id33628 1 1 Anniversary and souvenir booklets: Midland Park, New Jersey; Oak Park, Illinois; Goshen,; and Fruitland, Ontario. id33629 1 2 Article: "Een meisje dat Maria heette," in De Wachter, page 11 28-Aug-84 id33630 1 3 Autobiographical speech: "A blessed ministry 1921-1983," outlined material March 16, 1983 id33631 1 4 Call letters 1921-1952 id33632 1 5 Sermons: Bible characters (outlined) id33633 1 6 Sermons in booklets, English (outlined) 1922, 1923 id33634 1 7 Sermons: communion, preparatory (outlined) 1922-1984 id33635 1 8 Sermons: character studies, English (outlined) 1938-1960 id33636 1 9 Sermons: general, Dutch and English (outlined) 1929-1979 id33637 1 10 Sermons: special day (outlined) id33638 1 11 Sermons: Dutch, typed, written during years of retirement id33639 1 12 Personal notebooks 1962-1984 id33640 1 13 Article: "In memoriam, Rev. H. Vander Woude, 1876-1950" id33641 1 14 Radio sermons 1941 id33642 1 15 Paper: "A Case for Small Churches" undated id33643 1 16 Letter to servicemen 1941 id33644 1 17 Sharing the Crown 1971