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Collection Overview
Abstract
Minister of the Christian Reformed Church. The collection includes poems, songs, sermons, and speeches for special occasions (in the Dutch, Frisian, and English languages); an autobiography written in poetic form, recalling childhood years in Friesland, the Netherlands, the emigration of the family to America, his studies for the ministry, and an account of the churches which he served; plus a letter written (author unknown) describing early Dutch settlement in Michigan (1847).
Biographical Note
Tiede Vander Ark was born in the village of Blija, in the province of Friesland, Netherlands on January 11, 1868. At the age of 19, Vander Ark and his family immigrated to the United States, and settled in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Vander Ark entered Calvin Theological Seminary, and earned his diploma in 1897. During this time Vander Ark married Lena Lefébre. Vander Ark's first call to service came from the congregation of Borculo Christian Reformed Church.
Rev. Vander Ark's other charges included First Grand Rapids, Michigan (1900-1905); First Pella, Iowa (1905-1910); Drenthe, Michigan (1910-1916); Manhattan, Montana (1916-1922); Edgerton, Minnesota (1922-1930); and Harderwyk, Michigan (1930-1935). After 38 years of service, Rev. Vander Ark retired from active ministry. However, he continued to visit the sick and elderly of Zeeland, Michigan.
In 1937 Rev. Tiede Vander Ark suffered a blood clot, and passed away on January 13.
Administrative Information
Repository:
Heritage Hall, Hekman Library
Alternate Extent Statement:
2 Boxes
Acquisition Source:
Frank Hoogland, Zeeland MI, July 1992
Box and Folder Listing
Browse by Series:
[Series 1: [General Materials]],
[
All]
- Series 1: [General Materials]
- Box 1
- Folder 1: Autobiography in verse form: Iets over mijn leven, printed and handwritten
- Folder 2: Diaries - small booklets covering the years --- 1928-1936
- Folder 3: Verses: Dutch poetry and songs
- Folder 4: Pastor's pocket record: family visitation; speeches (one English, 75th anniversary of First/Commerce Street CRC)
- Folder 5: Published meditation --- 1936
- Folder 6: Published verses that appeared in church papers
- Folder 7: Rijelarig, bound copy of verses
- Folder 8: School speeches in Edgerton and Leota, Minnesota
- Box 2
- Folder 1: Photograph of First Pella, Iowa, church and parsonage, his second charge --- 1905-1910
- Folder 2: Pamphlets relating to Common Grace Issue
- Folder 3: Poetry
- Folder 4: Essays
- Folder 5: Unidentified sermons
- Folder 6: Sermons for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Pentecost, Ascension Day, Old Year's, and New Year's Day
- Folder 7: Funeral sermons
- Folder 8: Sermon delivered at Vander Ark's funeral
- Folder 9: Copy of letter (with translation) written describing early Dutch settlement in Michigan (writer unknown) --- 1847
- Folder 10: Sermons on Ruth
- Folder 11: Preparatory sermons
- Folder 12: Sermons on Daniel
- Folder 13: Paterson, NJ, Sunday school publication "De Sabbathschool Bode" --- 1910
Browse by Series:
[Series 1: [General Materials]],
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