Winter 2019
Vigorously Academic · Beautifully Diverse · Thoroughly Christian
Farewell to A Rehoboth Landmark On Monday, January 28, demolition of the old Rehoboth Christian Reformed Church building began. by: Gail De Young
H
ow does one say goodbye to a building? How does a community say goodbye to their gathering place? Just mention the “old Rehoboth Church” to anyone with ties to Rehoboth and you will get a flood of memories tied to that building that is no more: “We marched from our dorms to church every Sunday morning, in uniform.” “I remember the bell that rang to call people to church for every morning service.” “We were married there. We baptized our babies there. We remembered my dad’s life there.” “I professed my faith in God there.” “I remember the children’s plays and school plays.” “I remember the choir concerts where we moved and swayed so hard that we thought the old floor would cave in.” “And how about “Prayer and Share” in the basement or those Young People’s meetings down there?” “How about the impromptu prayer meeting on 9/11 as many worried people came and prayed for our country?” “There were confessions, reconciliations, difficult discussions, and so much laughter within those walls.” “What about the worship and messages preached in that place and the pastors who shepherded?” “And oh, can we begin to remember all the saints and sinners that have been part of the love and fellowship there?” Rehoboth CRC was built in 1923 as a worship center for the Rehoboth Mission boarding students who stayed at the school throughout the semester. However, the congregation grew and became a church for Rehoboth staff, as well as a place for Rehoboth Christian Hospital staff. Eventually, there were many attenders who came from Gallup and the surrounding reservations as well.
There has always been a relationship between Rehoboth church and Rehoboth school. The building was originally owned by the school and for many years, the Rehoboth Church congregation paid $1 rent per year to the school. When the Board of Home Missions gave Rehoboth campus to the school, the school became the owner of the Rehoboth Church building. Already in the 1980’s there were committees that looked into what to do with the church building. It was in need of significant repair from years of use, as well as the problem of shifting foundations that created significant cracks in the floor and walls. It was apparent that the church building would be too expensive to bring it up to code, and it was decided that the old church building should be abandoned. The new building for the Rehoboth Christian Reformed congregation was built in 2006. Once vacated, the church building became used as a classroom for choir, concerts, high school chapels and assemblies, elementary school Christmas programs, dramas, graduations and so much more. Eventually and finally, the building became a thrift shop for a few years as well. On Monday, January 28, the lifeless building that represented so much history, so many memories, and so much spiritual life to so many was taken down.
Rehoboth Band on Tour this spring! Fifty-nine students from the Rehoboth Christian High School band will be on tour to Iowa, South Dakota, and Minnesota in March. The tour reflects the school’s theme for the year, ‘Come to the Water.’ The band will perform many concerts as well as serve at retirement communities in Pella, Iowa and Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The band is excited to get the opportunity to travel and represent RCHS in different parts of the country. The students, director, and chaperones look forward to seeing old friends and also meeting new ones.
Schedule Sunday, March 24 Calvary CRC · Pella, IA Church Service · 6:00 p.m.
Monday, March 25 Trinity CRC · Rock Valley, IA Evening Concert · 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, March 26 Central Minnesota Christian School Prinsburg, MN Evening Concert · 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday, March 27 Shalom CRC · Sioux Falls, SD Evening Concert · 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, March 28 First CRC · Orange City, IA Evening Concert · 7:00 p.m.