☰
University Reformed Church
East Lansing
MI
48823
- Presbyterian Church in America churches in East Lansing, MI
- Presbyterian Church in America churches in Michigan
- Presbyterian Church in America churches in United States
- Presbyterian Church in America churches near me
- All churches in East Lansing, MI
Who we are
History of University Reformed Church
1959 In 1959, the Synod of the Great Lakes, (of the Reformed Church in America) then known as the Synod of Michigan, initiated a campus-community ministry on the campus of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Two years later the newly formed congregation called its first pastor and began its building program, which resulted in the construction of University Reformed Church of Ann Arbor across Huron Street from the Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studies.
The Synod had a similar vision to establish a campus-community ministry at Michigan State University in East Lansing. In 1963, under the leadership of the Reverend James Schut, the Synod purchased a building site on the east side of Hagadorn Road across from the MSU campus.
The Synod’s goal for its ministry was to establish a congregation that drew worshipers from campus as well as non-university people who lived in the surrounding community. Part of the Synod’s vision included the desire to meet the spiritual needs of young men and women who came from Reformed Church families to a campus that grew to over 40,000 students by the end of the 1960s.
1966 In 1966, the synod called Tom Stark to fulfill its vision for God’s work at MSU. He had graduated from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary in 1962, had been licensed by the Chicago Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church, USA, and had worked for four years on Intervarsity staff in Chicago and Urbana, Illinois. Tom Stark was ordained into the ministry in September 1966, at Immanuel Reformed Church in Lansing.
In October 1966, approximately 35 people attended the first worship service in the Alumni Chapel. During the first year, evening services were held in the MSU Union. After the ministry purchased a piano that could be left in the basement of the chapel, worship on Sunday nights occurred there.
During its first year and a half, the MSU ministry received the encouragement and strong support of a steering committee composed of Rev. Schut, Rev. Howard Schipper, pastor of Immanuel, and Dr. Calvin Malefyt, pastor of University Reformed Church in Ann Arbor. Every three months, elders from Immanuel served communion to the newly forming congregation.
Members of the campus-community ministry at Michigan State University and East Lansing formally recognized as a congregation, of between thirty and forty members, in the Reformed Church in America in the Spring of 1968. The first consistory had three elders and two deacons. The congregation continued to meet in the Alumni Chapel until it moved to its new building on Hagadorn Rd late June 1976.
1981 In 1981 the church purchased an adjacent piece of property to the north. The building, now known as the Ministries House, has offices and meeting rooms. During 1999 and 2000 the congregation built a two-story addition creating more classroom space. The church office was also expanded at this time. In 2003 the kitchen, nursery, and toddlers’ room were remodeled.
2002 Tom Stark retired as pastor in July 2002. In August 2004 the Reverend Kevin DeYoung became URC’s second pastor. Pastor DeYoung is a graduate of Hope College and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.
Present In 2012 the church moved a mile east to its current location, renovating an old church building. In the fall of 2015 University Reformed Church transferred its denominational affiliation to the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA).
1959 In 1959, the Synod of the Great Lakes, (of the Reformed Church in America) then known as the Synod of Michigan, initiated a campus-community ministry on the campus of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Two years later the newly formed congregation called its first pastor and began its building program, which resulted in the construction of University Reformed Church of Ann Arbor across Huron Street from the Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studies.
The Synod had a similar vision to establish a campus-community ministry at Michigan State University in East Lansing. In 1963, under the leadership of the Reverend James Schut, the Synod purchased a building site on the east side of Hagadorn Road across from the MSU campus.
The Synod’s goal for its ministry was to establish a congregation that drew worshipers from campus as well as non-university people who lived in the surrounding community. Part of the Synod’s vision included the desire to meet the spiritual needs of young men and women who came from Reformed Church families to a campus that grew to over 40,000 students by the end of the 1960s.
1966 In 1966, the synod called Tom Stark to fulfill its vision for God’s work at MSU. He had graduated from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary in 1962, had been licensed by the Chicago Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church, USA, and had worked for four years on Intervarsity staff in Chicago and Urbana, Illinois. Tom Stark was ordained into the ministry in September 1966, at Immanuel Reformed Church in Lansing.
In October 1966, approximately 35 people attended the first worship service in the Alumni Chapel. During the first year, evening services were held in the MSU Union. After the ministry purchased a piano that could be left in the basement of the chapel, worship on Sunday nights occurred there.
During its first year and a half, the MSU ministry received the encouragement and strong support of a steering committee composed of Rev. Schut, Rev. Howard Schipper, pastor of Immanuel, and Dr. Calvin Malefyt, pastor of University Reformed Church in Ann Arbor. Every three months, elders from Immanuel served communion to the newly forming congregation.
Members of the campus-community ministry at Michigan State University and East Lansing formally recognized as a congregation, of between thirty and forty members, in the Reformed Church in America in the Spring of 1968. The first consistory had three elders and two deacons. The congregation continued to meet in the Alumni Chapel until it moved to its new building on Hagadorn Rd late June 1976.
1981 In 1981 the church purchased an adjacent piece of property to the north. The building, now known as the Ministries House, has offices and meeting rooms. During 1999 and 2000 the congregation built a two-story addition creating more classroom space. The church office was also expanded at this time. In 2003 the kitchen, nursery, and toddlers’ room were remodeled.
2002 Tom Stark retired as pastor in July 2002. In August 2004 the Reverend Kevin DeYoung became URC’s second pastor. Pastor DeYoung is a graduate of Hope College and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.
Present In 2012 the church moved a mile east to its current location, renovating an old church building. In the fall of 2015 University Reformed Church transferred its denominational affiliation to the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA).
Church Address
841 Timberlane St
East Lansing,
MI
48823
United States
Phone: 517-351-6810
Download University Reformed Church vCard with Service Times
Church Pastor
Kevin DeYoung
Senior Pastor
841 Timberlane St
East Lansing,
MI
48823
United States
Phone: 517-351-6810
Download Senior Pastor Kevin DeYoung vCard
Quote of the Day
Luke 12:24
Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?
Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?
Denomination
Presbyterian Church in America
Presbyterian Church in America churches in East Lansing, Michigan, United States
Presbyterian Church in America churches in Michigan, United States
Presbyterian Church in America churches in United States
All churches in East Lansing, MI
Affiliations:
Website:
Social Media
Leadership
Leader Name:
Kevin DeYoung
Leader Position:
Senior Pastor
Formal Title:
Leader Address:
Tel:
Fax:
Leader Email:
Leader Bio:
Other Church Leaders:
Kevin DeYoung on Social Media:
University Reformed Church Leadership Photos
Administration
Admin Name:
Kevin McAlvey
Admin Position:
Church Administrator
Admin Address:
Telephone:
Fax:
Admin Email:
Mailing Address
Driving Directions to University Reformed Church
Travel/Directions Tips
Parking
University Reformed Church East Lansing Service Times
Sunday Morning: 9:15 & 11:00 a.m.
Sunday Evening: 6:00 p.m.
Service Times last updated on the 5th of May, 2017
Sunday Evening: 6:00 p.m.
Service Times last updated on the 5th of May, 2017
Worship Languages
Dress code:
Children and Youth Activities
Under 12s:
Under 18s:
Local outreach & community activities:
Other activities & ministries
Special Needs/Accessibility:
Prayers and hymns:
Main Bible:
Hymns and Songs:
Other information:
Average Adult Congregation:
Average Youth Congregation:
Additional Info:
University Reformed Church Photo Gallery
University Reformed Church History
University Reformed Church Historical Photos
Page administrator:
Contact Email: