Welcome to Christ's Family Church

Out of several ministerial applicants, Dr. Albert Vander Meer was selected by the planning and development committee of the Illinois Classis to begin a church in the Quad-Cities.

July of 1977 found Al, his wife, Marge, and children, Jennifer and Daniel, in Bettendorf, Iowa. With a short list of names obtained from the Church Herald, a stalwart heart, and the support of the oldest Protestant denomination in this country, the young pastor set out to establish Christ's Family Reformed Church, of the Reformed Church in America. He installed an office in the Georgian Square Office complex on Lincoln Road in Bettendorf and proceeded to make himself and his cause known in the area. He introduced himself to the families of Andrew Ter Louw, Bill Heiker, Phyllis Heinen and Barbara Bosch. For twelve weeks these families met on Sunday evenings for home worship and fellowship. Then on the last Sunday of October, 1977, the first publicly announced service was held at the Holiday Inn, Bettendorf. Services were held in this location for next five years.

It was exciting to see the attendance grow, and on April 10, 1978, the church was organized with 68 charter members. Membership grew steadily from that day and there were many activities, including barn services held in June on Ruth Porter's farm and small group Bible studies, helping growth and community among members.

In June of 1979, the Davenport property on the corner of Utica Ridge and Crow Creek Road was purchased and in September of that year a building committee was formed, with John Bohn elected chairman. Many problems were evident with the purchase of the property and plans for building. It was important to have a fine building for worship, but also essential to stay within a budget. Prayers, faith, and perseverance saw members through some difficult times. The loss of our meeting place, due to remodeling of the Holiday Inn, made it necessary to move to temporary quarters in the Georgian Square Office Building in February, 1983. Attendance continued to grow, new members were taken in, and the ministry of music expanded through the direction of Nelson Larrabee. The building of our church home remained a priority.

On November 11, 1984, ground was broken on the property in Davenport and construction began. A beautiful building has become a reality through the dedication of many people (members, friends and several churches in the Iowa and Illinois Classis) have worked together, with God's help, to form a special house of worship. A dream has been realized.

Christ's Family Church continues its outreach to the community with the opening of a day care center in August, 1994. The process of growing Christ's family is continuing today. Please join us this Sunday and become part of our family.