History of AACRC
The Ann Arbor Christian Reformed Church was organized on June 8, 1955, with 17 families. In the early years the congregation met at a Seventh Day Adventist church in the campus area.
From the beginning there was an emphasis on the nurture of children in the fellowship, developing mature leadership in young adults, and a desire to be a witness to Christ in the University setting particularly to the many internationals here. When land was purchased it was intentionally sought in an area accessible to the University community.
The sanctuary and a few classrooms were constructed in 1962, with expansions added in 1967 and 1992. Nine pastors have served the congregation. Our Pastor of Congregational Life, Harvey Stob, has been with us since October 1996. Our Pastor of Worship Ministries, John Groen, has been with us since August 2004.
The congregation has always been international and ecumenical in character, adding rich flavor to the denominational setting. Most of the members came to Ann Arbor because of the University, and after their educational goals were met, they moved on all over the globe. So we have always had a flow of people in and out of the church in rather large numbers each year. Rather than let that be a liability, we have tried to see this as a challenge to keep us fresh and hospitable, and open to the new things God has in store for us.
Children’s programs began immediately with a Sunday School and as soon as there were teenagers, a Youth Group was organized. A cooperative preschool, Sonshine Nursery School, is another early program which continues to this day. Weekly club programs for boys and girls and an annual Vacation Bible School in the summer have been effective opportunities to reach out to our community.
The Adult Sunday School program has also been very strong. We have a significant number of small fellowship groups through which adults meaningfully support and nurture each other. In 1984 the women began a weekly evangelistic Bible study called Coffee Break which reaches out to about 100 women and their children. Some of their cell groups are especially geared to International women with beginning English skills.
In 1991 we began to hold a second morning worship service in order to offer a more informal style of worship as well as make more space available for the growing congregation. This has allowed us to grow without further building and gave us the opportunity to use many talents and preferences of expression in worship.
Music has always been a important part of our worship. A pipe organ was an early priority and was dedicated in 1967. A choir and various instrumental and vocal ensembles contribute to the services. The children also have a strong music program in the Sunday school.
Several young people from the congregation have gone on to short or long term mission service. The support of such missionaries is the most meaningful kind of mission program and that has been very special to this church. Some missionaries on leave from their post to do graduate work at the University have joined with our fellowship during their time in Ann Arbor, and we were and still are privileged to support them financially. We also support various other denominational and local ministries, and community organizations through our Mission giving. These missions and agencies are listed in the church directory.
In 1990, the congregation gave permission to a group of young parents to use land at the back of the church property for a Christian school. Modular classrooms purchased by the school with a connecting hallway to the church helped both groups by shared space on Sundays and weekdays. In February, 2003 the Ann Arbor Christian School moved to its newly constructed building on Whitmore Lake Road in Ann Arbor. Church members joined the Christian school community in praising God at the school’s dedication ceremony in March.
We hope this brief look back will help you sense some of the early vision which shaped us as a church, and the call we felt from God to serve him and witness to him in this place. As you join with us, your faith adds to ours, your gifts and service are a blessing to us, and together we celebrate God’s kingdom come among us.