Upcoming Events
There are no events scheduled here at this time.
Check out other events around town.
Graafschap Heritage Center at Graafschap CRC
5973 Church St Holland, MI 49423 http://www.graafschapcrc.org/heritage.html 42.752484, -86.135985
Located in one of Holland’s historic churches, this historical center displays recount this area’s history from the immigration through prosperity. The themes include:
Reasons for Emigration: Political, religious and economic.
The journey on board the Antoinette Maria from Rotterdam (April 4, 1847) to New York (May 23,1847) arriving in the Colony on June 20, 1847.
Establishing a new community in the wilderness, building log homes, overcoming extreme hardships and death.
The village built around the church included stores, post office, blacksmith shop, lumberyard and creamery.
The “Kolonie”: Pioneer farmers settled neighboring
villages, the church family grew, with a vision for education, and sons defended our freedom.
In 1857 a new denomination was born, nine daughter churches and a sister church began through Graafschap Church. The great leaders were Rev. A. C. Van Raalte, Rev. D. J. Vander Werp, and Senator J. W. Garvelink.