Our history

Vineland Free Reformed Church was instituted October 22, 1958. Rev. Johannes de Waal was its founding pastor. Initially meeting at the United Mennonite Church, the congregation purchased its first building that same year.

After Rev. de Waal’s departure in 1961, several visiting pastors supported the church until Rev. Jacob Overduin’s appointment in 1970. Under his leadership, the congregation continued to grow until his departure in 1976.

1978 was an exciting year for our church. Rev. Pieter VanderMeyden joined us to become the third pastor, and a new sanctuary was constructed.

The church embraced refugee outreach, welcoming Vietnamese families in the early 1980s. Rev. Carl Schouls joined Vineland as our fourth pastor 1984, during which time the church got involved in mission efforts in Cubulco, Guatemala, where the Iglesia Reformada de Cubulco was formed in 1995.

Committed to Christian education, the congregation helped establish Heritage Christian School in 1992. Pastor VanderMeyden returned to us in 2001 after Pastor Schouls left to join the Chatham Free Reformed Church. Growth continued with the formation of Zion Free Reformed Church in 2002 and outreach to Niagara migrant workers in 2003.

The church continued to grow, and soon our church required a new, larger building. A building committee was established.

In 2013, a new sanctuary and fellowship hall was built to accommodate the expanding congregation. Also that year Pastor Joel Overduin joined us to serve in Vineland, continuing the pastoral legacy of his grandfather.

In 2018, the church celebrated 65 years of faith and service, remaining dedicated to Gospel proclamation, missions, and community outreach.