Martin Monsma Collection, 1911-1967 | Heritage Hall, Hekman Library

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Collection Overview

Title: Martin Monsma Collection, 1911-1967

ID: COLL/452

Primary Creator: Monsma, Martin (1893-1968)

Extent: 9.0 Cubic Feet. More info below.

Arrangement: Folder level description

Abstract

Minister of the Christian Reformed Church; professor of practical theology at Calvin Theological Seminary; founder and editor of Daily Manna, a devotional calendar (1936-1968). The collection includes: manuscripts, articles, topic files, anniversary booklets, pamphlets, synodical committee reports, class notes, Daily Manna (1936-1978), and correspondence (correspondents include Henry Beets, John C. De Korne, H. J. Kuiper, W. H. Rutgers, and R. Wezeman).

Biographical Note

Martin Monsma was born in Berlikum, Friesland, Netherlands on November 23, 1893. In September of 1902, the Monsma family immigrated to the United States. Even at an early age, Monsma expressed his interest in becoming a minister. He attended Calvin College and Seminary earning his diploma in 1924. His first call to service came from Doon, Iowa. He was ordained on October 8, 1924. He chose Psalm 39:7 as his inaugural sermon.

He served the Doon congregation until 1928. He went on to serve the following churches Detroit, MI (1928-34); Second, Pella, IA (1934-43); and Grandville Av., Grand Rapids, MI (1943-53). In 1953 Rev. Monsma returned to Calvin Theological Seminary, this not as a student, but rather a faculty member. He accepted the position of lecturer in Practical Theology. A year later he became professor of Practical Theology. He remained a professor at the Seminary until his retirement in 1964.

Monsma was very involved in denominational boards and committees. He served on the Calvin College Board of Trustees; Church Order Revision Committee; Home and Foreign Missions' Educational Policy Committee; Committee on Ecumenicity and Interchurch Correspondence; and the Committee on Revised Compendium. Monsma also found time to write articles and publish books. He even was the founder and editor of Daily Manna, a devotional calendar which he overall saw for 32 years.

Martin Monsma died on January 31, 1968 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He passed away due to a heart attack. He was survived by his wife, Marie Vos, with whom he married in 1924. Together they had 3 daughters and two sons, who also survived him.

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Series:

[Series 1: Biographical Information: Student Notes],
[Series 2: Articles in De Watcher, 1947-1967],
[Series 3: Articles in Federation Messenger, etc],
[Series 4: Church Order Commentary and Correspondence],
[Series 5: Church Order: Letters of Advice],
[Series 6: Church Order Revision, 1950-1967],
[Series 7: Seminary Material],
[Series 8: Synodical Committees],
[Series 9: Varia],
[Series 10: Daily Manna (devotionals)],
[All]

Series 7: Seminary Material

Box 7

Folder 1: Anniversary booklets of Pella, Iowa; Grandville Avenue --- 1897-1947
Folder 2: Calvin's Dying Bequest to the Church, by Marten Woudstra. Monograph I
Folder 3: Seminary Series I
Folder 4: Church Order Examinations --- 1954, 1956, 1961
Folder 5: Class notes on Catechetics
Folder 6: Class notes on Liturgics
Folder 7: Class notes on Poimenics
Folder 8: Janssen Case material: protest against conclusion of Synod. Report of the Committee --- 1922
Folder 9: Seminary communications --- 1951-1952
Folder 10: Seminary library matters --- 1963-1964
Folder 11: Seminary matters reported --- 1924
Folder 12: Seminary nomination for president. Committee --- 1955-1977
Folder 13: Recruitment leaflets from Seminary Faculty for high school students. Mandated by Synod --- 1962
Folder 14: Report of 6th and 7th Biennial meetings of the Association of Seminary Professors in the Practical Fields, 1960 --- 1962
Folder 15: Verzameling van Besluiten van het Curatorium…de Theologische School --- 1911-1929