and many new members were added to it. April 2, 1888, the present
parsonage was purchased for $2,000.00. October 8th, Rev. Smit resigned.
A number of calls were issued, but not accepted, and the congregation
was without a regular pastor for nearly two years.

In July, 1894, Rev. H. Douwstra was called and accepted the call. He was
ordained December 2, 1894, and set d the church acceptably until
November 25, 1901. Under his leadership the congregation grew and the
greatest harmony prevailed in every department. In August, 1900, about
$2,000.00 was raised for the purpose of enlarging the church building.
In May, 1903, hymn books in the English language were purchased for the
Sunday School. June, 1918, to hold the morning service and the Sunday
School service in the English language.

In August, 1902, Rev. H. J. Pietenpol, having accepted a call from the
congregation, took up his work and served with great ability and with
marked success until August, 1908. In 1904 more than $2,000.00 was
expended in enlarging and modernizing the parsonage. The three years
following, from October, 1908, to November, 1911, Rev. P. A. Bouma was
the pastor, and under his leadership the work of the congregation was
greatly enlarged, both at home and in the foreign field. The mission for
India was allotted a yearly sum of $350.00. In June, 1909, it was
decided to support Miss Josephine Ter Winkel as the missionary for the
Third Church in India, at a salary of $650.00 a year, which in 1918 was
advanced to $700.00.

November 8, 1911, a call was issued on Rev. W. Bekkering, which he
accepted, and he commenced his work in December, 1911. Because of
increasing ill health his pastorate was not of long duralion, but was
signally blessed. He preached his last sermon on Sunday, September 19,
1915, and went to his reward on the 11th day of October, 1915.

After a second call had been made on Rev. P. Braak, in June, 1916, he
accepted and was ordained March 9, 1916. Under his able and devout
ministration the congregation grew in power and influence. Twenty-five
families were added to the congregation and 85 individual members.

It had long been felt that the increasing number of members required a
larger and more modern church building, and under the aggressive
leadership of their pastor it was decided in June, 1916, to build if the
pledge of $16,000.00 could be secured from the congregation. The last
service in the old church building was held on Sunday, September 10,
1916. The building was sold for $800.00, and the present commodious and
modern building was dedicated May 24, 1917. The building, including the
clock and furnishings complete, cost something over $30,000.00. This sum
was all covered by pledges payable on or before January 1, 1919.

In September, 1920, Bev. P. Braak accepted a call to Lansing, Ill. His
departure was deeply regretted, not only by the members of lhe Third
Church, but by a host of warm friends in the city.

The present pastor, Rev. George Hankamp, was called in July, 1921, and
commenced his work September, 1921. While his pastorate is as yet of
short duration, his work has already been marked by a spirit of harmony
and enthusiasm in every department of congregational activity, and the
promise of a long and fruitful service in this part of God's vineyard is
bright. Not only is he popular with the members of the Third Church, but
in the short time that he has served in Pella, his able sermons attract
many others every Lord's day.

In all these years the work of janitor has been carried on by but three
men. Mr. Arie Van Drunen served in this capacity during the first
winter. Mr. Teunis