Children and families had a chance to pet animals from The Critter Barn during the City on a Hill 20th anniversary celebration at Lawrence Street Park June 17.
By Greg Chandler
Zeeland Record
Twenty years ago, the City on a Hill ministry center opened its doors in the building that once housed Zeeland Community Hospital.
The concept was this: the 100,000-square-foot building at 100 S. Pine St. would serve as a collaborative space for various ministries and nonprofit organizations.
Haven Christian Reformed Church brought the idea of City on a Hill to the hospital’s board of directors. At the time, the hospital board was considering a private developer’s proposal to convert the building into residential housing.
“Our board said we would rather it be used for the community and for good,” former hospital president Henry Veenstra said, even though the hospital would have gained more of a financial return with the developer’s proposal.
A donation of $40,000 filled in the funding gap for downpayment on purchase of the building a day before a scheduled deadline. City on a Hill opened its doors on May 31, 2006 with 12 ministries operating.
On June 17, City on a Hill held a 20th anniversary celebration at Lawrence Street Park, featuring animals from the Critter Barn, police and fire trucks from the city, a bounce house, yard games and plenty of food, provided by the café that operates inside the ministry center.
“This is a party for the community … We’re just praising God for 20 years,” said Ally Velderman, who became president of City on a Hill in January of last year.
City on a Hill has grown from its initial 12 ministries at the time of its founding to more than 50 ministries and nonprofits today, Velderman said.
“Thousands per month are coming in and out, and getting services or building community in one place or another,” she said.
The anchor ministries of City on a Hill include the café, which has now grown to provide catering services, as well as the clinic that provides free health care services to those who lack insurance or other resources. It’s also home to Doors of Hope, a ministry that assists those seeking affordable housing.
Doors of Hope received approval earlier this year from the city of Holland Planning Commission to construct Hope Ridge, an 8-unit residential development with affordable rents at the corner of Eighth Street and Waverly Road.
City on a Hill will begin work later this year on updating its strategic plan, and may be looking at making needed repairs to its building. Velderman pointed out that the building is 70 years old.
“It’s showing its age in some places,” she said.
Veenstra, who served on the board of City on a Hill for nearly nine years, is amazed at how the ministry center has developed over two decades.
“God has worked in wonderful ways,” he said.
Zeeland Record
Twenty years ago, the City on a Hill ministry center opened its doors in the building that once housed Zeeland Community Hospital.
The concept was this: the 100,000-square-foot building at 100 S. Pine St. would serve as a collaborative space for various ministries and nonprofit organizations.
Haven Christian Reformed Church brought the idea of City on a Hill to the hospital’s board of directors. At the time, the hospital board was considering a private developer’s proposal to convert the building into residential housing.
“Our board said we would rather it be used for the community and for good,” former hospital president Henry Veenstra said, even though the hospital would have gained more of a financial return with the developer’s proposal.
A donation of $40,000 filled in the funding gap for downpayment on purchase of the building a day before a scheduled deadline. City on a Hill opened its doors on May 31, 2006 with 12 ministries operating.
On June 17, City on a Hill held a 20th anniversary celebration at Lawrence Street Park, featuring animals from the Critter Barn, police and fire trucks from the city, a bounce house, yard games and plenty of food, provided by the café that operates inside the ministry center.
“This is a party for the community … We’re just praising God for 20 years,” said Ally Velderman, who became president of City on a Hill in January of last year.
City on a Hill has grown from its initial 12 ministries at the time of its founding to more than 50 ministries and nonprofits today, Velderman said.
“Thousands per month are coming in and out, and getting services or building community in one place or another,” she said.
The anchor ministries of City on a Hill include the café, which has now grown to provide catering services, as well as the clinic that provides free health care services to those who lack insurance or other resources. It’s also home to Doors of Hope, a ministry that assists those seeking affordable housing.
Doors of Hope received approval earlier this year from the city of Holland Planning Commission to construct Hope Ridge, an 8-unit residential development with affordable rents at the corner of Eighth Street and Waverly Road.
City on a Hill will begin work later this year on updating its strategic plan, and may be looking at making needed repairs to its building. Velderman pointed out that the building is 70 years old.
“It’s showing its age in some places,” she said.
Veenstra, who served on the board of City on a Hill for nearly nine years, is amazed at how the ministry center has developed over two decades.
“God has worked in wonderful ways,” he said.
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