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Ralph Bronkema Collection

Overview

Abstract

Biographical Note

Detailed Description

Addresses, Papers

Heidelberg Catechism Sermons

Sermons for Special Days

Sermons:  Genesis to Luke

Sermons:  John to Revelation



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Ralph Bronkema Collection, 1924-1954 | Heritage Hall, Hekman Library

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Collection Overview

Title: Ralph Bronkema Collection, 1924-1954

ID: COLL/026

Primary Creator: Bronkema, Ralph (1893-1973)

Extent: 5.0 Boxes. More info below.

Arrangement: Folder level description

Subjects: Bronkema, Ralph, Sr., 1893-1973, Netherlands - History - 1945-, Netherlands - Social life and customs

Abstract

Minister of the Christian Reformed Church. The collection includes sermons and reminiscences entitled "Our Impressions of the Netherlands," describing post-war aspects of the Netherlands.

Biographical Note

The Yearbook of the Christian Reformed Church lists only one church under the name of Ralph Bronkema.  In 1929 he accepted the call of First Orange City, Iowa, and served that congregation until 1952.  Our collection of sermons makes references to churches where he preached some of his sermons after his retirement.  Although he retired early because of diabetic disabilities, he was able to serve for brief periods in Los Angeles, California; Edmonton, Alberta; Dresden, Ontario; Salt Lake City, Utah; Eau Galle, Florida, and British Columbia; Tyler, Minnesota; and Neerlandia, Alberta.

Ralph Bronkema was born, June 10, 1893, of immigrant parents, members of the Coldbrook CRC, Grand Rapids, Michigan.  As a young man he contributed to the family finances by working at various jobs while continuing his education.  After two years at the seminary he accepted a teaching position at the newly founded Christian high school in Grand Rapids.  After teaching Bible for five years he continued his theological instruction at the Free University of Amsterdam.  His doctoral dissertation was entitled The Essence of Puritanism. Bronkema married Ella Hofstra of Grand Rapids. Together they had 4 children–Betty, Lois, Ralph (Don) and Rosalie.

While in the Netherlands he established good relationships with many people.  He preached for forty weeks in the Bergen church.  After WWII he organized a relief program using his friends in the Netherlands as contact person for the distribution of tons of food, clothing, and medicine from Northwest Iowa.  For this work the Dutch government knighted him.  In the collection there is a vivid mimeographed account of his visit to the Netherlands after the war.

Ralph Bronkema passed away on May 4, 1973. Although he served only one congregation during his active ministry, his activities reached people beyond the immediate area of the congregational membership.  His line of communication crossed the Atlantic Ocean.

Subject/Index Terms

Bronkema, Ralph, Sr., 1893-1973
Netherlands - History - 1945-
Netherlands - Social life and customs


Box and Folder Listing


Browse by Series:

[Series 1: Addresses, Papers, 1929-1954],
[Series 2: Heidelberg Catechism Sermons, 1929-1938],
[Series 3: Sermons for Special Days, 1929-1945],
[Series 4: Sermons:  Genesis to Luke, 1932-1944],
[Series 5: Sermons:  John to Revelation, 1932-1944],
[All]

Series 1: Addresses, Papers --- 1929-1954
Box 1
Folder 1: Addresses - Ministers' Conference and other occasions
Folder 2: Articles and reports
Folder 3: Conversations with Mormons while in Salt Lake City as associate pastor
Folder 4: Christian Reformed Church in Iowa.  Manuscript not published --- 1943
Folder 5: Letter of acceptance to Orange City, Iowa, CRC --- August 3, 1929
Folder 6: Memorial message
Folder 7: Our Impressions of the Netherlands, bound mimeographed copies (2).  Impressions of post-war Netherlands --- 1946
Folder 8: Outlined sermons on small cards.  (Incomplete)  Reduced sermons on cards for preaching
Folder 9: Paper:  The "tongues" in Acts compared with the "tongues" in Corinthians --- February 1, 1924
Folder 10: Promotie Dinner in Amsterdam, menu --- April 1, 1929
Folder 11: Twelve articles based on book "The Essence of Puritanism" --- 1954

Browse by Series:

[Series 1: Addresses, Papers, 1929-1954],
[Series 2: Heidelberg Catechism Sermons, 1929-1938],
[Series 3: Sermons for Special Days, 1929-1945],
[Series 4: Sermons:  Genesis to Luke, 1932-1944],
[Series 5: Sermons:  John to Revelation, 1932-1944],
[All]


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