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Bernard Pekelder Collection, 1956-1999

Collection Overview

Title: Bernard Pekelder Collection, 1956-1999

ID: COLL/191

Creator: Pekelder, Bernard

Extent: 0.5 Cubic Feet. More info below.

Arrangement: Folder level description

Abstract

Minister of the Christian Reformed Church, chaplain at Calvin College (1962-1971), and vice president for student affairs at Calvin College (1971-1985). The collection includes chapel messages; liturgies; Chapel Building Planning Committee minutes (1962-1983); thesis entitled The Role of the Board of Trustees in Operating a Church-Related College: A Case Study, 1965; and a Calvin Alumni Association publication, FOG Goes to Chapel, 1999. [See also the Campus Titles Database.]

Biographical Note

(1922- 2012)

Bernard Pekelder was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan on December 17, 1922. His family moved to Sheboygan, Wisconsin where Pekelder spent his childhood and teenage years. Pekelder initially thought about pursuing a career in law until he consulted with a Christian mentor which helped shift his career path toward ministry.

He moved back to Grand Rapids to attend Calvin College and Seminary in which he graduated from in 1947. He also went on to earn his master's degree from Northwestern University in Chicago.

In 1947 he accepted the call to serve the congregation of Jamestown, Michigan. He went on to serve the churches of East Leonard Street, Grand Rapids, MI (1951-1955) and Midland Park, New Jersey (1955-1962).  In 1962 he accepted the position as the first Chaplain of Calvin College.  By 1963 he took the role of Vice-President of Student Affairs at Calvin College. In 1985 Pekelder retired.

Bernard Pekelder was married to Jane Vander Griend. Together they had five children, four daughters and one son. He served as an elder at the Calvin Christian Reformed Church. He also served on the Education Committee and Calvin Board of Trustees. He also found time to publish two catechism books, Saved from Sin and Saved to Serve. He wrote articles for The Banner as well. On September 21, 2012 Rev. Bernard Pekelder passed away due to congestive heart failure.


Box and Folder Listing

Series 1: [General Materials]
Box 1
Folder 1: Compulsory chapel issue materials --- 1956-1967
Folder 2: Compulsory chapel issue materials --- 1968-1970
Folder 3: Chapel - Building Planning Committee --- 1962-1983
Folder 4: Liturgies (1)
Folder 5: Liturgies (2)
Folder 6: Speech given at a faculty conference, ca. --- 1967
Folder 7: Movie issue: Committee reports and materials --- 1966-1976
Folder 8: Handicapped students: Handbook and Building accessibility --- 1977
Folder 9: "The Christian and War" --- 1968
Folder 10: Book, FOG Goes to Chapel: A Collection of Sixty Chapel Talks, published by Calvin Alumni Association --- 1999
Folder 11: Thesis, The Role of the Board of Trustees in Operating a Church-Related College: A Case Study --- 1965