The History of St. Andrew's Church
The Bishop's survey showed that an Episcopal presence was needed in northeast Grand Rapids. So on October 18, 1953 a group of faithful north easterners from St. Paul's west side church met in Aberdeen school and thirty five signed on as charter members. The Rev. Doane Rose presided and they adopted the name Mission of the Incarnation. The first Eucharist was held at Van Strien Funeral Chapel using a portable altar borrowed from Bishop McNiel, on December 6, 1953. The present property was acquired by March of 1954 and the bishop consented to changing the name to St. Andrew's.
The congregation grew and soon the ground breaking ceremony was held on June 24, 1955 with The Rev. Lester Thomas, priest in charge, officiating. In these early days, all the men, women, and children worked tirelessly building the church building and landscaping. Many creative fund-raising events were held. Life-long friendships, as well as mutual love and concern for each other developed then and persists as an outstanding characteristic of St. Andrew's to this day.
The first service in the new church was held amid the rubble of the unfinished undercroft on Christmas Eve 1955, reminding one of the stable at Bethlehem. The building was dedicated June 1956. In the next ten years, the congregation grew rapidly and the enlarged present building was built and dedicated during 1965-66. There was another major building expansion in 1998 when additional classroom space was added as well as new office facilities and a lounge.Brother Robert (Bob) Thomas is an important person in the history of St. Andrew's. He was ordained a deacon in 1968 and is fondly remembered as a faithful servant until he retired in 1977. During this time, the church grew in the knowledge and love of God.
Another unforgettable parishioner intimately linked to the history of St. Andrew's is Mother Berry. She epitomized the spirit of St. Andrew's by acting as a grandmother to everyone. She literally did it all. In addition to working anywhere from the kitchen to the Sunday School, to Altar Guild, she is also remembered for frequently inviting members to her house for home cooked meals.Father Lester Thomas retired in 1985 and was succeeded by The Rev. John Kirkman who had served as choirmaster and assistant priest previously. Difficult times followed Fr. Kirkman's resignation in 1989 and Interim Rector, The Rev. Bobbie Parini's resignation in 1990. Recovery began under the guidance of The Rev. Bill Paran. Finally, after a period of exhausting search and self study, The Rev. Michael C. Fedewa was called. He started his ministry at St. Andrew's on September 1, 1992.
Since that time the parish of St. Andrew's has thrived with many new programs and participation by many. There was a major building program in 1997 which expanded classroom area, offices, and also made the building barrier-free. In addition, the nave of the church is now more accessible to persons with mobility issues. The Memorial Garden has received much attention and is now a beautiful place of reflection.
St. Andrew's is a hospitable place for many groups not officially connected with our parish. These include hosting Congregation Rodeph Shalom and St. Raphael's Reformed Catholic Church as well as several 12-step programs.
St. Andrew's Church has been an active participant in the Interfaith Hospitality Network which brings shelter, meals, and support services to families without homes. Approximately every ten weeks we host a number of guests with lodging and meals for the week. Happily, many of those served have been able to find housing.
In 2003 the Bishop of the Diocese of Western Michigan asked St. Andrew's to provide a nucleus of members to start a new parish in the former St. Matthew's Church in Sparta. The new church was named The Church of the Holy Spirit and has since moved to a new location in Belding. At the time of the formation of Holy Spirit Church, Susan York was the Assistant Rector of St. Andrew's and was called to be the Vicar at Holy Spirit Church.
Over the last number of years we have had several clergy assisting at St. Andrew's. Mary Perrin, a longtime member of St. Andrew's served as deacon and was then ordained as priest and serves another church in Michigan. Dan Scheid, another member, also was ordained to the priesthood at St. Andrew's and is now at a church in Southwest Michigan. Two vocational deacons have also served at St. Andrew's: Cindy Nawrocki and Brad Allard, both at churches in Grand Rapids. At this time, The Rev. Valerie Ambrose is Priest Associate at St. Andrew's.In 2008, a new evening of programming for the whole congregation was begun on Wednesday evenings. It has been named Oasis and begins with a light meal for all followed by events and study for all ages.
Members of St. Andrew's Church have participated in several mission trips helping to rebuild in areas struck by natural disasters. These included both adults and youth. In addition, Fr. Mike Fedewa led a trip to Italy with a concentration on Rome which was enjoyed by all who went. In 2010, Mother Val Ambrose will be leading a Pilgrimage to Israel in which a number of our parishioners will be taking part.
St. Andrew's Episcopal Church is an active, vibrant congregation living out their Mission Statement:
We are creatures of God.
We are baptized Christians.
We are members of the Episcopal tradition.
We are people who continue to be loved by God
Our mission as St. Andrew's parish is to reflect God's love
as revealed to us by the life, teachings, death,
and resurrection of Jesus Christ to all God's creation.
Community Involvement
The members of St. Andrew's Church are active in a number of ministries in the Grand Rapids Community:
Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN)
The Interfaith Hospitality Network program brings shelter, meals, and support services to families without homes. IHN is a cost-efficient, effective, and replicable community response to family homelessness. There are five basic components to the IHN program.
1. Hosts
Hosting rotates weekly among the 14 host congregations in the Network. In turn, each host congregation provides lodging, three meals daily, and welcoming care.2. Day Center
Guests use a local day center from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, where the IHN director, a professional social worker, provides case management services. There, guests pursue employment, tend pre-school children, shower, and do laundry. The day center provides guests with a mailing address and a base for housing and employment searches. Many guests are employed during the day, while older children attend school.3. Volunteers
Volunteers provide various services:
- Cooking and serving meals
- Playing with children or helping them with homework
- Interacting with guests, with respect and compassion
4. Social Service Agencies
Local social service agencies refer families to the Network. The agencies may also help guests find housing, jobs, and benefits.5. Transportation
An IHN van transports guests to and from the day center. The van also carries bedding and luggage to the next host congregation.Volunteers are always needed and you are encouraged to offer your help to our IHN coordinators, Skip and Jacquie Smith.
North End Community Ministry (NECM)
NECM is a ministry whose mission is to provide practical assistance to those in need on the Northeast side of Grand Rapids. NECM is an ecumenical community outreach ministry providing a variety of programs and services to low income families to support and improve their quality of life. One of NECM's programs is Supper House. The North East Supper House provides a hot, nutritious meal to families in Grand Rapids each Thursday, strengthening family bonds and promoting a sense of community.
Check out their website at www.necmgr.org
Kent Hills Elementary School
St. Andrew's has adopted Kent Hills Elementary to be tutors in reading for the children who are in need of help. Also, we provide needed items requested by the teaching staff on a monthly basis.
Parade of HomesFor the spring Parade of Homes, an event of the Home and Building Association of Greater Grand Rapids, St. Andrew's staffs a number of the model homes. The registration fees are divided up among the various organizations staffing the home. It is a significant fund raising event for St. Andrew's and requires a large number of volunteers. Your help is appreciated.