June 9 Today in OPC History

On June 9, 1936 Calvary OPC, Cedar Grove, WI was organized. Two days earlier, during the Sunday morning worship service, the Rev. John J. DeWaard, his wife Hattie and their children led three hundred members out of the PCUSA congregation in Cedar Grove, WI in an exodus that led to the formation of Calvary. Because of his protests against modernism and his refusal to financially support the foreign missions of the PCUSA, the Presbytery of Milwaukee had dissolved Pastor DeWaard’s pastoral relationship with the congregation which he had served for 15 years. That morning, before the presbytery’s representative could read the dissolution to the congregation and forbid Pastor DeWaard from continuing his ministry there, Pastor DeWaard made his own announcement explaining what was about to happen. Not wanting to listen to what was about to be said, he proceeded to leave the room. Hattie, wanting to be at his side as a comfort to him rose to follow her husband. The children rose with her. As they left, Christ’s sheep who had been fed and warned by His servant rose with the family and followed them out of the spiritual darkness that had filled that room to take a stand against the unbelief in the PCUSA and organize a true and living church two days later.

Picture: John and Hattie DeWaard