Scope and Contents
Due to his involvement in so many activities and organizations, the John H. Karsten papers contain a variety of information. Included are materials relating to the Wisconsin Classis of the Reformed Church in America (RCA), the Committee on Revision of the Liturgy of the RCA, the Council of the Reformed Churches in America Holding the Presbyterian System, the Dutch newspaper De Hope, and the Semi-Centennial Celebration of the Holland Immigration in the United States.
Other interesting items include his pastoral record books, which document his work as a minister; the theology questions, which illustrate what type of questions might have been asked of a seminary student in 1908; and the list of Dutch people from Holland, Wisconsin, who served in the Civil War.
Please note that many of Karsten’s speeches and correspondence, as well as all his sermons, are in Dutch. Two letters from Albertus C. Van Raalte written in 1870 and 1871 are highlights of Karsten’s correspondence.
Dates
- Creation: 1861 - 1914
Biography
John H. Karsten was born in Heerenveen, Friesland, the Netherlands, on February 16, 1833, to Mr. and Mrs. Harmen Karsten. He graduated from Rutgers College in 1860 and from New Brunswick Theological Seminary in 1863. Karsten also received a Doctor of Divinity degree from Rutgers College in 1898.
Karsten began his career as a missionary pastor serving in Forreston, Illinois, from 1865-1867. Following that position, he became the pastor of First Reformed Church in Oostburg, Wisconsin, where he served until 1869 when he became pastor of Alto Reformed Church in Waupun, Wisconsin. In 1884, his ministry took on a different form when he became editor of De Hope, a Dutch religious newspaper published at Hope College. Two years later, Karsten returned to the pastorate and served the following congregations: Coopersville Reformed, Coopersville, Michigan (1886-1889); Alto Reformed, Waupun, Wisconsin (1889-1893); Hingham Reformed, Hingham, Wisconsin (1893-1897); and First Reformed, Oostburg, Wisconsin (1893-1899). Due to failing health, he was forced to retire in 1899.
Karsten was also very active outside the pastorate. In 1897, at the Semi-Centennial Celebration of the Holland Immigration held in Holland, Michigan, he spoke on behalf of the Dutch immigrants in Wisconsin. He served on the Committee on Revision of the RCA Liturgy from 1904-1905 and represented the RCA at the Council of the Reformed Churches in America Holding the Presbyterian System in 1912. Karsten was also a member of the Council of Hope College from the time of its incorporation until his death.
Extent
1.00 Linear Feet
Language of Materials
English
Dutch; Flemish
Abstract
Rutgers College class of 1860, New Brunswick Theological Seminary class of 1863, Reformed Church in America (RCA) minister from 1864-1914, and editor of De Hope from 1884-1886. Materials include sermons, speeches, correspondence (with Albertus C. Van Raalte, between Adrian Zwemer and Enne J. Heeren, Jan Elsma, Rev. Leenhouts, from Samuel Zwemer, Classis of Wisconsin to General Synod), pastoral record books, call letters, photographs of John Karsten and his wife, theology questions for seminary students, and a list of Dutch people from Holland, Wisconsin, who served in the Civil War. Also included are materials relating to the RCA’s Committee on Revision of the Liturgy, the Council of the Reformed Churches in America Holding the Presbyterian System, the Wisconsin Classis, De Hope, the Semi Centennial Celebration of the Holland Immigration in the United States, and correspondence not associated with Karsten: Adrian Zwemer and Enne J. Heeren, Van Driele and M. Ypma, Albertus Pieters to friends, H. D. Oosterhoff and Willemtje (Zwiers) Oosterhoff, Steketee and Rev. M. Ypma, unknown family in America from father traveling in Europe in 1865, Voorhees (missionary) and John H. Karsten, correspondence and poem from Aren van den Tak(e) to his niece and nephew.
Photographs
3 images (Box 1)
Provenance
John H. Karsten
- Status
- Completed
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Hope College Archives and Special Collections Repository
Van Wylen Library
53 Graves Place
Holland Michigan 49423 United States
616-395-7798
archives@hope.edu
