The NRC of Clifton, New Jersey (6)

1946-1952: Exhorter James Wielhouwer (1888-1957)

Born in 1888, James Wielhouwer immigrated to the United States in early childhood with his parents. He married and was left a widower at the young age of twenty-six. He settled in Grand Rapids, Michigan with his son in 1925. Less than a year after his arrival there, he was requested to speak an edifying word by the NRC consistory. Subsequently, he became nicknamed as the “English” Wielhouwer or the “little” Wielhouwer to distinguish him from Rev. J.C. Wielhouwer from whom he received some theological lessons as opportunity allowed.1 The two Wielhouwers were distant cousins, bore a similar physical appearance, and enjoyed a close friendship.

Exhorter Wielhouwer spoke fluent English. His sermons were both warmly received and strongly opposed. Some thought he brought the offer of grace too freely and laid too much stress on the responsibility of man. Others were convinced he was bringing the balance of Scripture in stressing both the sovereignty of God and the responsibility of man.

Less than a year after beginning to speak, James Wielhouwer left the congregation with a sizable group to form an independent congregation on Scribner Avenue. (This congregation later affiliated with the Free Reformed denomination and is presently located on Ball Avenue.)

Wielhouwer was ordained shortly thereafter by a minister from Kalamazoo, Michigan and served the Scribner Avenue congregation as pastor from 1926 to 1944. In 1928 he married his second wife. In 1944 he felt a need to return to the NRC even if it meant losing his ministerial credentials. From 1944 to 1946 he spoke as an exhorter in the NRC wherever he was invited.

When Rev. J. Van Zweden departed to Rock Valley, Iowa, in January, 1946, he requested Exhorter Wielhouwer to serve the Passaic (now Clifton), New Jersey congregation. Less than four months later, in April, 1946 the congregation extended a call to Mr. Wielhouwer to serve them as exhorter, which he accepted. He was installed as exhorter by Rev. Van Zweden on May 26, 1946.

Later in 1946, two additional exhorters from Michigan served the New Jersey congregations for some time, namely Cornelius Boerkoel and John Nordyke.

In 1947 Candidate Cornelius Hegeman accepted a call to the neighboring sister congregation of People’s Park and became the moderator of the Passaic flock. Thus, a minister was near at hand to fulfil duties exhorters are not allowed to perform, such as the administration of the sacraments and the confirmation of marriages.

“Little” Wielhouwer, as his friends affectionately called him, served the Passaic flock from 1946 to 1952.

During these years, his labors were noticeably blessed, especially among the youth. These labors, however, came to a rather rapid and unexpected end. As Martin Dekker notes:

Mr. Wielhouwer, whose heart went out for the youth, desired to commence an English service on Sunday afternoons, primarily to be conducted as a Bible study. The problem arose concerning where this service was to be held. The Dutch service was still held in the afternoon so our own church building was not available. After some inquiry it was learned that the Donkersloots’ Hall on Sisco Place in Clifton could be rented. This hall was so packed with hearers the first two times services were held there that another place had to be rented. The congregation was able to rent the Westminster Hall of the First Presbyterian Church. Our congregation used this hall for the English service and Sunday School on Sunday afternoons until the new church was built in 1960.

In January, 1950, Mr. Wielhouwer was afflicted with a very crippling stroke. He was unable to perform his duties. Only after considerable therapy could he begin to preach again. A special bench was constructed on which he could sit while preaching. Because of his physical handicap, most of the duties he formerly performed were now done by the elders....

In 1952, due to failing health and the inability to perform his labors, Mr. Wielhouwer became emeritus and shortly thereafter left our congregation, moving to Grand Rapids, Michigan.2

James Wielhouwer passed away in 1957 at the age of sixty-nine, trusting in the righteousness of Christ alone. As is true of all God’s servants to varying degrees, he suffered much in his life for the sake of his Master. Eternity shall reveal the fruits of his labors.3

1Rev. J.C. Wielhouwer served the Turner Avenue (now Covell Ave.) NRC from 1915-1944.

2Not Consumed, p. 36.

3For most of the above historical detail, we are indebted to Exhorter Wielhouwer’s son, also James Wielhouwer, who is presently an 80-year-old member of the First NRC of Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Dr. J.R. Beeke and Rev. J. den Hoed are continuing a series of articles on the histories of individual Netherlands Reformed Congregations.

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