Schans, Martin M. (1880-1955) | Heritage Hall, Hekman Library

Martin was born on November 15, 1880, in Smilde, Drenthe, the Netherlands. This was the town where the first secession congregation was organized. The influence of the succession stayed with the Schans family wherever they lived. In 1893, they moved to Holland, Michigan, and two years later they moved to Jamestown. Upon graduation from Calvin Theological Seminary Martin accepted a call to Ada Christian Reformed Church, in Ada, Michigan.

Martin M. Schans, an active minister in the Christian Reformed Church for thirty-seven years, served seven churches-Ada, Michigan, 1911-1915; Lafayette, Indiana, 1915-1917; Kelloggsville, Michigan, 1917-1924; First Sioux Center, Iowa, 1924-1927; Redlands, California, 1927-1940; Holland Marsh, Ontario, 1940-1945; and Calvin Church, McBain, Michigan, 1945-1948. Martin M. Schans possessed a high degree of sanctified common sense. At meetings of Classis and Synod he faced issues and expressed himself clearly and with a sense of humor. When he became ill, in the fall of 1948, he was advised to retire. However, when he recovered, he continued to supply pulpits in the Holland, Michigan, area where Martin and wife Grace lived. Another major operation did not keep Rev. Schans from preaching after recovery. This active elderly minister passed away in 1955.

Our collection includes sermon outlines on 4 X 6 cards. His sermons were expository. They revealed exegetical study of the text, and they were practical.