The Story Behind First Reformed Church
We were originally founded in 1951, as a missionary church to Dutch immigrants to Canada after world war II. Over the years we have grown to become so much more. We are a community of Jesus followers, devoted to the Word of God and seeking to follow Jesus more and more each day.
The majority of our life together, we were a congregation a part of the Reformed Church in America . Yet by God’s leading, in 2023, we joined the Reformation Canada Network out of a growing desire to remain faithful to the Word of God in all areas of life and worship.
We gather weekly for a time of worship together. Our services are both traditional and contemporary, utilizing a ‘blended style’ of worship. We love to sing both hymn and songs of praise to the glory of God.
Our Pastors Over the Years
1952 - 1961
1961-1969
1970
1976-1983
1984-
A small group of Dutch immigrants met in the house of Mr. John Kruise and worshipped together under the lay-leadership of Mr. Martin Devos.
Reverend Henry Zegerius would serve as first missionary pastor.
Later that year, as numbers increased, the group would rent Queenston Hall for worship meetings
Our first services were offered in both English and Dutch
Before we had a minister, sermons were preached by lay-elders like this one from G.C. DeMol
First Reformed Church of St. Catharines became an official organization with 28 charter members and 84 members by baptism
Soon after Reverend Anton Schermer served as its first 'official' Pastor
We bought the former Mennonite Brethren Church located near Carlton & Currie in St. Catharines. To date this building is now a Full Gospel Church.
Rev. Schermer left in early 1960, and Reverend Boekhoven arrived as the new dominee (Dutch word for pastor)
The church building on Carlton St. was sold and a new facility was built on
The church would continue to grow, being a center of life and ministry in a fast growing city of St. Catharines in the 1980s
Land was sold to start Martindale Place - a Christian retirement community started as a ministry of FRC.
Martindale Place opens
Reverend Art Vanslageren would be called to serve as the minister of FRC! The church saw a time of great growth and expansion to where the building is what it was today.
In 2000 ground was broken to add on a gym to be able to run UPWARD Sports basketball league
Celebrated 50 years of God's goodness
Youth mission trip to Brooklyn New York
Quinton Mol came to work alongside Pastor Art as our Associate Pastor. He came as a student, still in seminary, and was ordained here at FRC
we changed affiliations to be a part of the Reformation Canada Network
Over the years, ministers would serve along many talented & called youth directors and pastors:
- Emil Scmidt
- Scott DeVries
- Yolanda Koole
- Samantha Postma
- Moria Gandi
- Quinton Mol
Youth retreats have long been held at Camp Shalom/Countryside Camp & Conference Centre Association