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Our MissionOur mission is simple: To be a living expression of God's grace and justice to all creation.
Our VisionWe believe that God is at work in the world and in us, renewing all things and gathering all creation in Jesus. We are invited to join that joyful, surprising, holy work of love.
We envision a church, shaped by the Holy Spirit, whose shared life makes God’s grace visible and God’s justice tangible, to us, to our neighbors, and to all creation. We seek to honor the image of God in every person-–leaning into the mess and joy of community, standing against oppression, and welcoming everyone to life at God’s table. In our hearts, homes, workplaces, friendships, in the Baxter neighborhood, in Grand Rapids, and across the world, we move with courage and hope toward what God desires and promises: More grace. More justice. |
We’re authentic and inclusive."Accepting", "welcoming", and "authentic" are words people often use to describe Sherman Street. Maybe that's because we believe we can bring our whole selves to church - not just the best parts. We seek to honor the image of God in every person, affirming and inviting all into the life and fellowship of the church. Check out our full statement of inclusion.
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Our History
Sherman Street Christian Reformed Church was founded in 1907 by a group of young adults from East Street CRC (now Eastern Avenue) who wanted to worship in English rather than their native Dutch. The church grew quickly, and by the 1920s it was one of the largest English-speaking churches in the Christian Reformed denomination, with over 280 families — 1,400 members.
For the next several decades, Sherman Street remained a large congregation, primarily serving the Dutch-American community around it. After World War II, many of these families moved to the suburbs, and the neighborhood began to change — due in large part to white flight from the city. Membership declined steadily, and by 1979 only 75 families remained.
For the next several decades, Sherman Street remained a large congregation, primarily serving the Dutch-American community around it. After World War II, many of these families moved to the suburbs, and the neighborhood began to change — due in large part to white flight from the city. Membership declined steadily, and by 1979 only 75 families remained.
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At this point, the church faced a critical decision: stay in the neighborhood, move to the suburbs, or close. The congregation chose to renew its commitment to the surrounding community. New pastors brought new energy, and the church began to grow again. Over the following decades, Sherman Street continued wrestling with what it means to be good neighbors in the Baxter community.
The last ten years have brought significant change. We've faced trauma from abuse within our church walls, leadership transitions, a global pandemic, and our departure from the Christian Reformed denomination over our LGBTQ+-affirming position. Our congregation has grown dramatically since the pandemic, bringing both joy and a few organizational growing pains. We're now in the process of joining a new denomination, guided by a renewed vision and values.
Through it all, God remains faithful to our community here at Sherman Street. Today, you'll find a congregation doing our best to live into the gracious love of God, together. Shaped by our history, we are committed to standing by our neighbors in Baxter and beyond, extending God's grace and justice to all.
