One hundred forty years ago, in October of 1869, a handful of earnest, hard-working, dedicated persons met in a small, frame building located on the east side of Canal Street (now Monroe Avenue).  They had come together to fulfill a mission project of the “Mother Church”, Park (First) Congregational Church – i.e., establish a future church in the rapidly growing north end of the city.  The railroad had come to Grand Rapids ten years before and families from the East and from Europe were arriving daily to take up residence.

Located just beyond the city boundaries, north of Leonard Street, its proximity to the Grand River quickly earned the nickname “The Bullfrog Church” for the small struggling church.  A series of part-time ministers deplored competing with the noise the ever-present frogs made (especially with the windows open) until 1874, when the Rev. Olney advised the members he would answer their call only if the church were moved to a drier location. Consequently, the little building was put on log rollers and pulled by horses to a donated lot “way out in the country” at the corner of Plainfield and Grove.

Slowly, sometimes painfully, the membership grew and Sunday School classes were crowded with young people. A north and south wing were added to the original building, but as time passed, it became increasingly apparent that a “new” church was needed and a great deal of effort was put forth to raise the money for this project.  Many money-making projects, potluck dinners, and committee meetings later, the original building was razed and a new foundation laid.  

    The first “chapter” in the life of 2nd Church was finished.

The “new” red brick church, dedicated in 1900, was much larger and more traditional in design, and as the city continued to grow, so did the church membership, and pastors remained for longer periods of time.  The church became not only the “spiritual center” of its members’ lives, but the “social center” for many of them as well.

During the pastorate of the Rev. Morris in the early 1900’s, the mortgage on the building was paid with due ceremony, and a new organ was purchased by securing matching monies from the Carnegie Fund. A strong music program was begun which has continued to this day.  The years passed and World War I reared its ugly head, but still the church continued to grow until the congregation again became interested in a larger facility which would better serve its rapidly-growing Sunday School.

In 1928 the Rev. Dr. E. Paul Sylvester was called to the ministry of the church and a site for another building was purchased on Cheshire Drive. On Easter Sunday of that year, Dr. Sylvester unveiled an architect’s drawing for a magnificent new building, and a “dream” was planted in the hearts of the people.  

The bleak years of the Great Depression, followed too closely by World War II, meant that all plans were put on hold.  But the dream persisted.  As the church celebrated its 75th anniversary in 1944, an ambitious but very successful financial campaign was undertaken during the pastorate of the Rev. Frank Jenson.  

The dream became a reality on Palm Sunday, 1950, when the congregation led by a new, young and energetic minister, John Felible, marched in procession from the old church building on Plainfield and Grove to the lovely new building on Cheshire Drive.  

The second “chapter” of the church’s history had come to an end, and the third “chapter” was off to a glorious beginning.

Returning GI’s, their wives and families were also returning to their churches. The church “honor roll” listed the names of more than 140 young men and women who had faithfully served in the armed forces. Whole neighborhoods of new homes were springing up in the north part of the city and their occupants were seeking church homes as well.

Not only did John Felible lead the march to the church on Cheshire Drive on Palm Sunday, he led the church for the next fourteen years.  He was a dynamic preacher, a skilled leader and teacher. And the church grew – and grew!  Burgeoning Sunday School classes dictated the need for more rooms, and in 1959 a chapel and education wing were added to complete our present structure.  Beginning with a “sunrise” breakfast, four worship services were held on Easter for several years; numerous couples clubs were formed; social action was a popular topic, missions were stressed; and the building was filled with bustling activities almost every day of the week.

During Dr. Felible’s years with us the church became involved in a controversial matter within the Congregational denomination: “Should we become a partner in the proposed merger with the Evangelical and Reformed Church to form a United Church of Christ?”  Strong feelings, both “for” and “against” resulted in some members leaving the church, but the prevailing membership voted to become part of the new United Church of Christ and part of a growing trend for a more ecumenical approach to a universal church. The recent meeting of the General Synod of the UCC in Grand Rapids has strengthened much of the membership in the belief that it has been a productive union.

In 1963 Dr. Felible accepted a call to a church located in Seattle, and the next year Rev. Edwin J. Arnold was selected as the new Senior Minister.  He was well-known and well-liked both in the church and the community and church membership reached an all-time high.

When Dr. Arnold left to serve a church in Florida, he was succeeded by Dr. Dewey A. Peterson, who is still remembered for his years of ministry.  Dr. Bruce Irwin and the Rev. Scott Davis followed with shorter terms of service.  The Rev. Dr. Todd S. Farley picked up where they left off and provided a profound period of creative leadership to Second Congregational UCC. 

Today, the third “chapter” of church life continues under the guidance of the Rev. Peter St. Martin who is helping the church discern the fact that “God Is Still Speaking.”   With such a rich history, we are assured that the future is very bright.