Our History  

1940 - First Reformed Church was started at the Sioux Falls YMCA.  21 members, with 12 families, made up the church.  The Rev. John Nieusma, the classical missionary, served as pastor.

1942 - A church site was purchased at the corner of 19th & Grange for $750.00.

1943 - A parsonage was purchased at 324 West 19th Street.

1949 - After much hard work and volunteer cooperation, a building from the WWII Army Air Force Base was torn down for lumber, and a church was built at 19th and Grange.  The first service was held in the new church on Easter Sunday, April 17 with 145 members.  Dedication was held on October 17, 1949.

1955 - First Reformed Church was instrumental in forming Community Reformed Church in Eastern Sioux Falls.

1962 - A new wing was completed for Sunday School and auditorium overflow. 

1974 - The mortgage for this building was paid in full.

1981 - Congregation voted to accept an offer from Sioux Valley Hospital to sell the property at 19th & Grange and build a new church.  Five acres of land for the new church was purchased at 57th & Tomar.  During the time of building, the congregation met at Jescke Center of Sioux Falls College.

1982 - Formal dedication of the new First Reformed Church building took place on May 2, with 198 church families.

1986 - The first pastoral assistant was added to the staff of First Reformed Church, a student from NABS, Mr. Steve Anthes.

1988 - A second morning service was added in January to accommodate our growing congregation.

1989 - We celebrated with a mortgage burning service.

1990 - The expansion of the new education wing was completed.  In June, First Reformed Church's 50th anniversary was celebrated.

1999 - Burning of mortgage on education wing.

2008 - Our present congregation consists of 262 active families and 608 total baptized members.

Currently, building is in progress for a new addition to the east side of the church.  This addtion consists of a large education classroom/activity room, a large worship/activity room, two large youth classrooms, a classroom/storage room, a kitchenette, and restrooms.  Construction is expected to be completed at the end of 2008 or beginning of 2009.

     Our Pastors

2003 - Present - Pastor Steven Anthes
1995 - 2003 - Pastor Wayne VanRegenmorter
1983 - 1994 - Pastor Emmo Oltmanns
1971 - 1982 - Pastor Henry Schoon
1964 - 1970 - Pastor James Boogerd
1960 - 1963 - Pastor Paul Alderink
1952 - 1959 - Pastor Ralph Cordes
1951 - 1952 - Pastor Howard Maatman
1946 - 1950 - Pastor Albert VanDyke
1940 - 1945 - Pastor John Nieusma

     Our Education & Youth Ministers/Directors

2008 - Present - Alex O'Hara - Youth Director
2003 - Present - Pam Green - Director of Education
2001 - 2007 - Brad Schelling - Youth Director
2002 - 2003 - Pastor Steve Anthes - Minister of Education & Congregational Life
2000 - 2001 - Cam Kinoshita - Minister of Education
2001 - Darrin Kimpson - Minister of College & Young Adults
1997 - 2000 - Pam Kimpson - Youth Minister
1993 - 1999 - Kim Liedtke - Minister of Congregational Life & Education
1990 - 1997 - Dan Kruse - Minister of Education and  in 1991 Dan became Minister of Youth & Outreach
1986 - 1990 - Steve Anthes - Minister of Education