During the 2-week Van Marel family tour of the Netherlands in June 2015, probably the most treasured stop was worshiping at the last church where our ancestors attended before they immigrated to the United States in 1848. (That was the family of Jacob and Margaretha vander Marel, plus their 5 young children ages 0-7.) The church was alive and you could feel the Holy Spirit dwelling in that place. We were most impressed with the organ playing. The church had a nice reception planned for us after the service and we had the opportunity of meeting the organist, Arjan Breukhoven. We asked if he performed concerts. He said that he had been to Australia several times, Russia, all around Europe, and was invited to play at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican. He had never been to the United States! When asked if he would be interested in a concert tour in Northwest Iowa, he immediately said “Yes!” As soon as we returned to the U. S. we quickly jumped into gear and contacted the Orange City Arts Director to get on their schedule and make it happen. Following many planning meetings, including several experts outside of our family, we celebrated the harvest of our labors during September 9-18, 2016.
In Summary, Arjan performed at 5 concerts (Sioux Center IA, Sioux City IA, Cherokee IA, Sioux Falls SD, and Orange City IA); 2 Sunday morning Worship services; a chapel service at Northwestern College, and an organ workshop for teachers and students, which basically centered around his own wide-ranging style of improvisation. Different programs were organized for each concert.
The generous offerings were indicative of the quality of his performances. Our plan was to contribute all funds received in excess of the collections to local charities. This amounted to almost $2,200 and has been distributed to charitable organizations in the cities who hosted the concerts.
I can’t thank our family members enough for all of the time, money and efforts that you so willingly contributed to make this project such a success. There was the planning, opening your homes for their nights of rest and breakfasts, providing other meals, showing them sites of interest, shuttling them to practices and concerts, taking them shopping, greeting at concerts, taking offerings, counting money, attending the concerts, and for your prayers. As always, you chipped in and were willing to support and serve wherever and whenever there was a need. I feel so blessed to be part of a family whose gifts are Love and Service!
Since this was such a major family undertaking and sponsoring effort, I felt it was worthy of being included in our family Blog! So, we would like to share some of our photos and experiences with all of you.
Dorpskerk,
a Reformed Church in Berkel en Rodenrijs, Netherlands, near Rotterdam. The church was first organized in 1300. The
building in its present form dates from 1732, replacing a structure on the same
site which was built in 1347 and had fallen into a state of disrepair. The tower was built in 1500 as a Berkel city
tower.
Arjan Breukhoven, the organist at Dorpskerk.
SIOUX
CENTER, IOWA
B. J. Haan Auditorium, at Dordt College, place of his first concert
Arjan
and wife having dinner with musicians in the area.
A gift
presented by the Van Marel family to the Breukhovens—a copy
of the painting
selected for the 75th Anniversary of the Tulip Festival.
Celebrating
Annelies Breukhoven’s 50th birthday.
She is the
wife of Arjan. Lois
and Cal Cleveringa are in the background.
Arjan handling Teri Mouw’s motorcycle.
SIOUX
CITY, IOWA
Trinity
Heights
Statue
of Mary, mother of Jesus The Way of the
Cross
Our Lady
of Lourdes
Last
Supper Sculpture. Life size sculpture of
Jesus and His 12 disciples carved by Jerry Traufler. He used the heads of his wife and friends who
posed for photographs dressed as individual apostles. It took 7 years to carve and was completed
in 1993.
Cathedral
of the Epiphany in Sioux City Iowa, setting for Arjan’s second concert.
The
cathedral’s organ pipes
Arjan at
the organ
One of
many meals with the Beukhovens
and Carl
Van Marel as they traveled around.
VERMILLION,
SOUTH DAKOTA
National Music Museum—collections
feature over 15,000 musical instruments.
One of
the three organs that Arjan had
the
privilege of playing
Arjan
thanking the museum curator for being our guide.
W. H.
Over Museum—preserving the heritage of the land and people of South Dakota.
Moose
head
Buffalo
Tepee
A. B. &
E. Telephone Company’s operator switchboard, used in 1907.
American
La France Triple combination pumping car, built in 1923.
This was the first motorized fire truck in Vermillion.
ORANGE
CITY, IOWA
Chamber
of Commerce Arjan's posters and advertisements
building
Stadscentrum
Museum
Street
organ used during the annual Tulip Bill Van Marel, a former wooden shoe
Festival is displayed in this museum. maker, demonstrates the carving process
Century
Home built in 1900 by the first Mayor of Orange City. Only two families lived in this home.
Guide
explaining information about this home.
Downtown
City Park
Windmill
Park
Breukhovens
on the drawbridge
CHEROKEE, IOWA
 |
|
Immaculate
Conception Catholic Church, Cherokee, Iowa, built in 1907.
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Cherokee
church welcomes Arjan. Pictured are the
priest, Rev. Armand Bertrand; parish organist, Sister Janice Hoffman; Arjan; and
Rick Darrow, the man who rebuilt this organ in 2011.
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| Carl Van Marel telling story of how Arjan Breukhoven came from the Netherlands and to the United States. |
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| The church organ |
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| Posted on the church wall. |
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Audience
waiting for the third concert on an evening with heavy rain storms.
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SIOUX
FALLS, SOUTH DAKOTA
Cathedral of St. Joseph, constructed from
1915-1919, with $390,000
Cathedral parish house
Riverdale
Park
Views of
the Big Sioux River with beautiful falls following a rainy day.
ORANGE
CITY, IOWA
Zwemer Hall, historic building on Northwestern College’s campus, was built in 1894.
Northwestern
College’s Christ Chapel, where Arjan held his last concert.
Front of
the auditorium with screens showing Arjan playing.
A photo shot
of the guests at the end of the concert. The largest number of people attended
the final concert. Crowds kept growing
as word got out about this fantastic organist.
In
summary, this Van Marel family project was another fantastic bonding experience for our family, and
there was much satisfaction in reaching out to others. Also, it was heartwarming to see the enthusiasm of the guests and to hear
their glowing comments! Several of you family
members came for many miles to attend the concerts and willingly serve. You ALL are the best!!