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In The Beginning…
At the beginning of the 1990’s the Presbytery of Lake Michigan set as a goal the development of five new congregations in the decade. Parkwood was the first New Church Development (NCD) initiated and had as its target area the Jenison, Grandville, Hudsonville, and Allandale communities. The ten acre site purchased for the congregation is adjacent to Hager Park located on the far eastern side of Ottawa County. While the area is heavily populated with Christian Reformed churches and Reformed Church of America churches, along with other denominational congregations, there was no PCUSA congregation in the area. Closest PCUSA churches are in Grand Rapids (east) and Holland/Grand Haven (west).
Weekly worship began in September, 1991 at the Bauerwood Elementary school in Jenison. Rev. Dave Milbourn was hired as the organizing pastor in January, 1992. Programs were expanded, ministries were initiated and the congregation grew spiritually, as well as numerically. The Parkwood Fellowship was formally chartered as a PCUSA congregation in September 1994. The congregation continued to meet in the Jenison Public schools and began planning for the design and construction of a church home. Groundbreaking on the ten acre site took place in March, 1998 and a Phase I ministry center of 8300 sq. ft. was completed enabling the congregation to hold worship services in the new facility on October 28, 1998.
A church is, of course, not a building, but the very body of Christ. We seek to be to the “one another’s” of the community and the world, the very hands, feet and word of our Lord, Jesus Christ. As Jesus tells us, “In the same way, let your light shine before men and women, that they may see your good deeds, and give praise to your Father in heaven.”
Our Name: Parkwood Presbyterian Church
Parkwood’s name is taken from our lovely location, just south of Hager hardwood park in Jenison. Our 10-plus acres allowed us to set our building against a backdrop of an ancient woodland that remained untouched by the logging of the last century. In such a setting, we are constantly reminded of the treasured gift of the world God has given us.
Our Logo
This gift of the world is reflected in the logo. The circle represents the whole world and ties all the elements of the design together. The cross of Calvary soars through and above the world in solitary splendor. It is the dominant element in the design and in our lives. The three trees are representative of our name but also signify the variety within the Church. Some members are single, some couples, some single parents, some two parent families, some are part of extended two-parent families, but we are all bound into a spiritual unity by the circle of God’s love and salvation. The three trees also represent the three-in-one of the God-heads. The Parkwood logo design incorporates the seal of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) at the far right. The basic symbolic motifs in the seal are the cross, Scripture, the dove and flames.
The Motto: Share the Joy!
Our church motto is Share the Joy. As Christians, it is our perpetual witness in our lives and in our community to share our joy of salvation through Jesus Christ. It is also our duty to carry the love of Christ into our world, placing ultimate emphasis on Jesus, then Others and finally, Yourself.
