John Guichelaar (1907-1989) | Heritage Hall, Hekman Library

Rev. John Guichelaar was born in Prairie View, Kansas on January 10, 1907. Guichelaar enrolled in Calvin College and in 1923 and a year later made his confession of faith. Guichelaar went on to earn his Bachelor of Theology from Calvin Seminary in 1930 and Masters of Theology from Princeton Seminary in 1931. Also in 1931, Guichelaar married Hattie Anne Vander Meer. Together they had five children together.

His received his first call of serve from the congregation in Birnamwood, Wisconsin where he became ordained. From there, Guichelaar went on to serve a number of other congregations: Brooten, MN (1935); Corsica, SD (1941); First Denver, CO (1945); North Street, Zeeland, MI (1950); Oakdale Park, Grand Rapids, MI (1956); and Cascade, MI (1964). In 1972 Guichelaar retired. Guichelaar’s church involvement did not end when he left the pulpit, he was also a frequent delegate to synod, president of the board of Home Missions, and served on the Ministers’ Pension Fund Committee. As an emeritus pastor, Guichelaar served as a visiting pastor for Seymour Christian Reformed Church until his progressing blindness became too burdensome. In 1989, Guichelaar passed away from pneumonia at the age of 82.