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John Gritter Collection

Overview

Abstract

Biographical Note

Administrative Information

Detailed Description

Papers and Press Clippings



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John Gritter Collection, 1924-1967 | Heritage Hall, Hekman Library

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Collection Overview

Title: John Gritter Collection, 1924-1967

ID: COLL/095

Primary Creator: John Gritter (1894-1970)

Extent: 2.0 Boxes. More info below.

Arrangement: Folder level description

Subjects: Calvin Theological Seminary - History, Christian education, Communism, Israel, Missions, South Africa

Abstract

Minister of the Christian Reformed Church. The collection includes manuscripts; personal notes; clippings; pamphlets detailing Christian education, missions, Israel, South Africa, and Communism; and a speech given at the Calvin Theological Seminary groundbreaking ceremony, 1959. [See also the Campus Titles Database.]

Biographical Note

The third son in a family of twelve was named John, born October 27, 1894. The Gritter family lived in Daarleveen, the Netherlands. Two years after the family moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan, John began studies toward the ministry. He graduated from Preparatory School in 1918, from Calvin College in 1921, and from Calvin Seminary in 1924.

In 1924, Rev. John Gritter began his active ministry in the Prosper Christian Reformed Church of Falmouth, Michigan. From 1929 to 1938, he served the congregation in Rock Valley, Iowa. His third charge was Franklin Street CRC in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The good relationship John had with his first congregation in Northern Michigan became evident when many of the young people from that area who came to Grand Rapids for employment joined the Franklin Street congregation. In 1948, John began a ministry in Canada among the Dutch emigrants. He was able to bring together many of the immigrants who came from various parts of the Netherlands so that they established a congregation with a minimum of internal differences. He was, indeed, a pastor to the scattered flocks. In fact, he served a Canadian congregation from 1954 to 1958. He left London, Ontario, in 1958 to serve the Jamestown Christian Reformed Church until he retired at the age of seventy. Immediately John Gritter became an assistant pastor of the Seymour congregation and continued preaching in various churches during the period of his retirement.

Gritter entered the hospital for a routine check-up on Thanksgiving Day in 1970. However, he did not leave the hospital but passed away December 18.

John and Jeanette (daughter of Klass Schooland of the Calvin Theological School) were the parents of eight children.

John served the denomination as well as congregations. He was editor of the Christian Living column in The Banner. He wrote in Calvinist Contact and served for a time as editor. Before the end of his ministry, he wrote a book entitled God Loves.

Twelve times, during his forty years of active ministry, he was delegated to Synod and in 1959, he was elected president. He served on the Board of Trustees, the Board of Foreign Missions and the Publication Committee.

Subject/Index Terms

Calvin Theological Seminary - History
Christian education
Communism
Israel
Missions
South Africa

Administrative Information

Repository: Heritage Hall, Hekman Library

Alternate Extent Statement: 1.0 cubic ft.

Acquisition Source: Gift of J. Gritter


Box and Folder Listing


Browse by Series:

[Series 1: Papers and Press Clippings, 1924-1967],
[All]

Series 1: Papers and Press Clippings --- 1924-1967
Box 1
Folder 1: Addresses: Special Days such as Fourth of July, Memorial Day --- 1925, 1941
Folder 2: "That Calvin University," The Reformed Journal --- June 1962
Folder 3: Bible: Thoughts on understanding the Bible.  Four sermon outlines on I Peter 1:25, II Chronicles 34:14, 15; II Tim 3:16
Folder 4: Biblical Archeology, press clippings --- 1959-1963
Folder 5: Birth Control, press clippings --- 1950s and 1960s
Folder 6: Calvin, John, notes and press clippings --- 1924-1954
Folder 7: Calvinism, notes and press clippings --- 1925-1959
Folder 8: Catholicism, press clippings --- 1941-1958
Folder 9: Christian Labor Unions, press clippings, letters
Folder 10: Church and Kingdom: Letter and notes of Klaas Schooland --- 1926-1927
Folder 11: Church music, press clippings
Folder 12: Common Grace: Notes and press clippings from The Banner --- 1938
Folder 13: Communism: Speech for Men's League, Press clippings --- October 19, 1961
Folder 14
Item 1: Correspondence: Flietstra --- 1953
Item 2: Correspondence: F. Nymeyer --- 1954
Folder 15: Dogmatics: Handwritten notes of Ten Hoor's class lectures
Folder 16: Evolution: Notes and press clippings --- 1940-1960
Box 2
Folder 1: Flag Day: Use of flags.  Mission Festival speech at Vogel Center: The Red, White, and Blue --- July 5, 1926
Folder 2: Booklet: "Lingering Memories" - Funeral Messages --- 1944-1946
Folder 3: Infallibility of the Bible: Paper, letter, press clippings --- 1959-1967
Folder 4: Israel: Notes on the Diaspora and Jews.  Press clippings on The Chosen People
Folder 5: Jehovah's Witnesses Cult, press clippings --- 1930-1960
Folder 6: Meuller, George of Bristol, press clippings --- 1932
Folder 7
Item 1: Message, Faith Healing --- July 7, 1939
Item 2: Press clippings
Folder 8: Messages, Jesus shall come, Acts 1, Rev. 7, I Thess. 5 --- 1940, 1947
Folder 9: Missionaries, press clippings --- 1927-1946
Folder 10: New Theology paper
Folder 11: Our Sabbath (title of proposed book), preliminary notes --- 1930s
Folder 12: Paper: Kerkeraden en Zondagsarbeid
Folder 13: Paper: Notes on Revelation - Synopsis of prologue.  Revelation 20, 21
Folder 14: Paper: Should our Consistories discipline members of AFL and CIO? Consistorial Conference --- May 17, 1945
Folder 15: Paper: Study in Romans 9-11; All Israel Saved
Folder 16: Poems (Dutch) press clippings --- 1935-1961
Folder 17: Psychology, press clippings, Letters from members of the CRC
Folder 18: Sermon notes on Lev. 25:10; Prov. 1:17, 22:6; Is. 2:1-4; Rom. 8:1-4; Luke 21:24; Eph. 4:28; I Tim. 3:16, 17 --- 1942-1961
Folder 19: South Africa, press clippings --- 1960s
Folder 20: Talks to Young People, Rock Valley, IA --- 1934-1935
Folder 21: Worldly amusements

Browse by Series:

[Series 1: Papers and Press Clippings, 1924-1967],
[All]


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