Dr. Peter Hoogendam
1943-1956, Bible Teaching
Dr. Hoogendam, an American of Dutch
extraction, was born in Paterson, New Jersey. After becoming a Christian in 1920 at a
Bible conference in Philadelphia, he was associated with the Brethren community for twenty
years. This accounts, perhaps, for the fact that his entire ministry was devoted to
"Teaching". Dr. Hoogendam travelled widely as a commended speaker on behalf of
the Brethren, stressing always the necessity for Bible study.
In 1928, he started a full-time ministry
of evangelism and teaching throughout the United States and Canada. He was pastor of the
People's Church in Montreal, from 1940 to 1943. While in Montreal, he was also the
Superintendent of the Montreal Evening Bible School.
On Wednesday, September 15, 1943 the
church hosted a reception to welcome Dr. and Mrs. Hoogendam to Philpott Tabernacle. For
half his tenure, he was able to continue the radio broadcasts of the Sunday morning
service, making his valuable teaching messages available to a vast audience. The evening
services were also broadcast on radio station CHML. In the fall of 1943, the time of the
evening service was changed to 7:30 p.m. in order to have the sermon aired from 8:00 to
8:30 p.m.
During the time that Dr. Hoogendam was at
Philpott Tabernacle, a committee of ladies was appointed to "look after the matter of
refreshments at special church functions".
At the Annual Congregational Meeting on
January 15, 1946, the Pastor reported that there had been a 100% increase in the church
offerings in 1945 over those of 1944.
As the complexity of the ministry
increased, Pastor Hoogendam requested the formation of a "Pastor's Cabinet" to
advise the pastor on various matters. This Cabinet was composed of the Board Chairman,
Church Clerk, General and Missionary Treasurers and the Young People's President and the
Sunday School Superintendent.
In April 1946, Rev. John Millar was
appointed as Assistant Pastor. He held this position until January 1948, when he left to
become the pastor of Lake Gospel Church.
In 1947 a fire in the Church boiler room
resulted in $2,515 damage.
Pastor Hoogendam stressed the need for
"more fervent, concentrated prayer" to support the work of Philpott Tabernacle.
He commended the congregation for their financial support.
He was a supporter of the Associated
Gospel Churches and served as moderator for three years.
Rev. W. Sifft, served as the summer
assistant during 1948. Among his duties, he was responsible for the Open Air Services
along with the Young People's Group.
In the summer and early fall of 1951, Mr.
and Mrs. Fred Simmonds acted as pastor's assistants while waiting to leave for the mission
field.
In the fall of 1951, Philpott Tabernacle
had a bus ministry to bring children from the mountain to Sunday School.
Dr. Hoogendam obtained his college and
seminary education after he was married and while raising a family. In 1953, he received a
D.D. degree from the Talbot Theological Seminary of Los Angeles, and in 1955, a Th.D.
degree from Burton College and Seminary in Manitou Springs, Colorado.
Mrs. Hoogendam played an important part in
the Sunday School program during their time in Hamilton. Many of our women attended her
Sunday School class.
Dr. and Mrs. Hoogendam left Hamilton in
September, 1956. Dr. Hoogendam's last regular Sunday in the pulpit was September 23 and a
Farewell was held on Thursday, September 27. He left to accept the pastorate of First
Baptist Church in New York City. While there, he continued an active conference ministry.
Dr. Hoogendam died on June 19, 1973. Mrs.
Hoogendam went to be with the Lord in the mid 1980s. Mr. and Mrs. Hoogendam had two sons
and six grandchildren.
- Dr. Peter W. Philpott, 1896-1922, Solid Bible Teaching
- Rev. James MacFarlane, 1923-1926, Evangelism
- Dr. Hottel, 1926-1928, Christian Education
- Dr. Louis Talbot, 1929-1932, Love
- Dr. William Ward Ayer, 1932-1936, Organizational Development
- Rev. Donald Mackay, from 1938 to 1943, Pastor
- Dr. Peter Hoogendam, 1943-1956, Bible Teaching
- Rev. Alex B. Stein, 1957-1975, Outreach
- Dr. Arthur Paterson Lee, 1976-1979, Brotherly Love
- Rev. Lewis H. Worrad Jr., 1981-1992, Bible Teaching
