Arthur William Hoogstrate (1915-1993) | Heritage Hall, Hekman Library

Rev. Arthur William Hoogstrate was born in Passaic, New Jersey on September 10, 1915. Hoogstrate at first attended a business school, but his passion for ministry brought him to Calvin College and then to Calvin Seminary where he graduated in 1941.  Later on in his career, he would also receive his Masters of Theology degree from the Seminary.

Hoogstrate began his career in ministry in the congregation of Alamosa, Colorado in 1941. He would later serve several other congregations including: Lamont Michigan (1944); Sixteenth Street, Holland, Michigan (1948); Alpine Avenue, Grand Rapids, Michigan (1954); Third Zeeland, Michigan (1961); Bethel, Lansing, Illinois (1967); and Second, Fremont, Michigan (1971).  He retired from active ministry in 1980, but still served as associate pastor for his previous congregation in Zeeland.

In Hoogstrate’s spare time, he served as president of the Men’s Federation, secretary of the Back to God Hour, member of the Synodical Interim Committee, and on the Board of Home Missions.  Hoogstrate also found time to write articles for the Banner’s Young People’s page and for Today of the Back to God Hour. He even had a weekly radio program called “Religion for Today.”  Even after retirement, he continued to serve his community by teaching Adult Education courses and assisting hurricane victims in Florida.  Hoogstrate passed away from cancer on October 30, 1993. He was survived by his wife, Claire Jean Hofman, and their seven children.