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Ralph Wildschut Collection, 1935-1973

Collection Overview

Title: Ralph Wildschut Collection, 1935-1973

ID: COLL/333

Creator: Wildschut, Ralph (1914-1998)

Extent: 0.5 Cubic Feet. More info below.

Arrangement: Folder level description

Abstract

Minister of the Christian Reformed Church. Papers include correspondence, classis reports, publications on various issues, and sermon outlines.

Biographical Note

Ralph Wildschut was born October 9, 1914 in Gaastmeer, Friesland, Netherlands. The Wildschut family immigrated to the United States in 1924, and settled in Zeeland, Michigan. Wildschut felt the call to pursue a career in ministry. He entered Calvin College and then the Theological Seminary. He graduated from the Seminary with a Th.B. in 1943. His first call came from the congregation of Sullivan, Michigan. He served the church until 1946, where he accepted a new position in Alberta, Canada. The same year, Wildschut married Stella De Jonge, and together they served the Dutch immigrants of Granum and Burdett. Since Wildschut was a foreigner himself, he knew the challenges that faced these immigrants in their new homeland.

Rev. Wildschut went on to serve several more congregations: Prosper, Michigan, 1950-53; Springdale, Ontario, Canada, 1953-59; Bethel, Lansing, Illinois, 1959-1966; and Goshen, New York, 1966-80. In 1980 Rev. Wildschut reached retirement. During retirement, Wildschut continued to do God's work by working with alcoholics towards their recovery. Rev. Ralph Wildschut passed away on November 2, 1998 in Middletown, New York.


Box and Folder Listing

Series 1: General Papers
Box 1
Folder 1: The Alaska Problem with C.L. VanderZee --- 1953
Folder 2: The Anglo-Saxon World magazine and brochure --- 1940's
Folder 3: Classis Reports
Item 1: Muskegon --- 1951
Item 2: Hudson --- 1955
Folder 4: Correspondence --- 1946-1955
Folder 5: Correspondence --- 1956-1973
Folder 6: Destiny.  Two issues --- 1945, 1946
Folder 7: Independent Board Bulletin; Machen attack on Princeton --- 1935
Folder 8: Papers
Item 1: A.R.S.S. --- 1956
Item 2: Defense of Apartheid --- 1964
Item 3: Religious Review --- 1951
Item 4: Home Mission Message --- 1955
Folder 9: Report on Criticism of "Good News for Modern Man" --- 1970
Folder 10: Sermon outlines --- Oct. 1935