Henderson County Historical Society

On display at the Henderson County Museum is a commemorative spoon from the Raritan Reformed Church’s Golden (50th) Anniversary in 1905.  This artifact is on loan to the museum from Mr. Russell White and Ms. Carol Magnuson.  The spoon is from the Carrie Voorhies collection.

Early settlers to the Raritan area came to the prairie from New Jersey. According to the Raritan Remembers history book, a small band of pioneer Christians, who had been meeting in the homes of neighbors and other Christian families, decided that it was time to organize a church. So thirteen in number met for this purpose. The thirteen included Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Nevius, Mr. & Mrs. Henry Voorhies, Mr. & Mrs. Isaac Kelly, Mr. & Mrs. Peter Tharp, Mr. & Mrs. Peter Nevius, Mr. & Mrs. Simon Peter Nevius and Mrs. S.V.A. Simonson.  

The church was established on the 26th of August 1855, under the name Reformed Dutch Church of Honey Creek.  Until a house of worship could be built, the families met in homes of the pioneers.  The first meeting was held in Josiah Brokaw’s home, then each took a turn at entertaining the small group of believers.  

Fun Fact:  Two of the original thirteen founding members were still alive and in attendance at the church’s Golden Anniversary in 1905.