FAQS

A family of five is gathered around a wooden podium, with a man holding a newborn baby and a woman standing next to a young girl. Another man is holding a small girl, and they are all smiling or looking at the baby. The background is black.

about forest grove

Here are some frequently asked questions about Forest Grove Church such as our denominational affiliation, confessions, beliefs, and more.

  • We are a part of the Alliance of Reformed Churches.

  • Along with most Christian Churches, Forest Grove Church affirms three creeds that were written in the first few centuries after Jesus’ death: Apostles, Athanasian, and Nicene Creeds.  We also hold to the Heidelberg Catechism, Belgic Confession, and the Canons of Dort as historic Reformed expressions of the Christian faith.  Further, we hold to the Belhar Confession as an addendum to the Belgic Confession and the Great Lakes Catechism on Marriage and Sexuality as an addendum to the Heidelberg Catechism.  See the Alliance Website for more details and to read these statements in their entirety.

    1. We Believe in the Triune God Revealed in the Bible:
We proclaim one God in three Persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—revealed in the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments.

    2. Father: Creator of all things, seen and unseen.

    3. Son: Jesus Christ, fully God and fully man, redeems creation through His perfect obedience.

    4. Holy Spirit: Active in the world, empowering believers and confirming our identity as God's children.

    5. We Believe in the Authority of Scripture:
The Bible, consisting of the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments, is the inspired Word of God. It is the ultimate authority for faith and life, revealing God’s truth, wisdom, and will.

    6. We Believe in Salvation by Grace Alone: Through Faith Alone
God created humanity in His image, but sin brought brokenness. Through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, we are reconciled to God. Salvation is a gift of grace, not earned, but freely given.

    7. We Believe in Transformation: Through Christ
In Christ, we are made new. The Holy Spirit transforms our lives, enabling us to follow God's will and live out our purpose for His glory.

    8. We Believe in the Resurrection:
Jesus’ resurrection guarantees ours. Believers receive new life now and a future bodily resurrection to eternal life with God

  • Beginning with the great Dutch emigration for religious freedom from the Netherlands in 1846, the Hollanders arrived to the shores of Lake Michigan and began a slow migration toward the east and formed new communities. Until 1869, the Dutch-speaking emigrants traveled to Drenthe for worship, a town about 5 miles away.

    But on September 12, 1869 our consistory held its first meeting in the schoolhouse of Jamestown, and on the 15th of September 1869, the First Reformed Church of Jamestown (now known as Forest Grove Reformed Church) officially started. Services were held at the school until 1873 when a 36 by 50 foot church was built. English services were initiated once or twice a month beginning as early as 1875.

    It wasn’t until 1943 that all services were conducted in English.  In 1969, after many additions and because of increasing growth, it was decided to build a new building at our present location on the corner of Perry Street and 32nd Avenue.