COLL/446 Guide to the John Masselink Collection Masselink, John 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 John Masselink Collection 1934/1964 Heritage Hall, Hekman Library Overview of the Collection John Masselink Collection 1934-1964 COLL/446 Masselink, John, 1891-1964 1.00 2 Boxes 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 family genealogy, personal notebooks, letters written to servicemen, ministerial credentials, correspondence regarding the seminary situation, Reformed doctrine course materials, photographs, and a funeral remembrance book.
Biographical Information:

John Masselink was born near Reeman, Michigan on September 23, 1891. At a young age Masselink made his confession of faith. Growing up Masselink knew he wanted to pursue a career in serving God as a minister. He attended Calvin College and then furthered his education at Grundy College and Seminary. He graduated from the Seminary with a diploma in 1918. He eventually earned his Th.D. from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1938.

Masselink first charge was in Ridott, Illinois where he was ordained on November 17, 1918. He served the Ridott congregation until 1920. Masselink's other charges include Fulton, IL (1920-24); Second, Muskegon, MI (1924-27); Third, Kalamazoo, MI (1927-43); First, Grand Haven, MI (1943-49); Second, Orange City, IA (1949-58). Rev. Masselink had the unique talent of being able to preach in three languages: English, Dutch, and German. In 1958 Rev. Masselink retired from active ministry.

Masselink was deeply concerned with unconverted. He especially focused on Christian education and missionary work. While in Fulton, Illinois he transformed the basement of his church into a full Christian school. He also often would preach at State Mental Hospitals. He also taught catechism classes and held chapel services in nearby schools.

John Masselink passed away at Butterworth hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan on March 21, 1964. Three days before his passing he was diagnosed with acute leukemia. He was survived by his wife, Katheryn (Neessen), 2 children, and 7 grandchildren.

Arrangement of Materials:

Folder level description

Detailed List of Contents id43075 [General Materials] id43076 1 id43077 1 1 Masselink Family Genealogy 1984 id43078 1 2 Miscellaneous correspondence 1936-1958 id43079 1 3 Personal notebooks id43080 1 4 Notebook id43081 1 5 Notebooks id43082 1 6 Notebooks id43083 1 7 Physical examination results 1934 id43084 1 8 Ministerial credential 1943 id43085 1 9 Samples of Rev. Masselink's prayers id43086 1 10 Correspondence re: Call to Second CRC, Orange City, IA 1949 id43087 1 11 Letters Written to Servicemen 1953, undated id43088 1 12 Letters from William Masselink re: Seminary Situation 1953, undated id43089 1 13 Letter of Call from Second CRC, Byron Center, MI 1953 id43090 2 id43091 2 1 Reformed Doctrine course written by J. Masselink id43092 2 2 Letter written to consistory re: his doctrinal views id43093 2 3 Red Cross certificate 1940 id43094 2 4 Remembrance book from J. Masselink's funeral, pen with holder, First Christian Reformed Church 1964 id43095 OS16 Oversized Items (located with oversized photographs) id43096 OS16 Photo: 8th Graduating Class Chaplains School, Harvard University March 1943 id43097 OS16 Unidentified group photo id43098 OS16 Diplomas, Grundy College 1918 id43099 OS16 Calvin diploma 1915