The Move

With the advent of videos and VCRs, drive-in theaters all over the United States began closing in the 1980s. The Woodland Drive-In Theater gradually began to shorten its hours of operation, and the task force knew that it was only a matter of time before that theater too would be closed. Thus, a special committee was formed in 1986 to discuss the future of the Drive-In. Everyone felt that the ministry needed to go forward; the only questions were where and how.

After examining various options, this committee recommended to the task force and the council of Fifth Reformed Church to move its services to 2600 Breton Road SE. This property, owned by Fifth Church, had served as a ministry center in a building known as The Greenhouse. Those who attended the Drive-In were familiar with The Greenhouse, since several times a year we held fellowship dinners there after a worship service. By building a pulpit area/transmitting studio on that property and expanding the parking lot, we would be able to have a permanent location for the Drive-In ministry.

Several unforeseen hurdles had to be overcome—property ownership, building permits, easements, and neighborhood approval. The major hurdle was zoning. Although two churches were already in the area, a drive-in church was recognized as a different sort of operation. The Zoning Board of Grand Rapids eventually approved the use of that property to hold services there every Sunday, but with one condition: We were not allowed to honk our horns! Until then, it had been the pattern at the drive-in theater location that after special music, those worshiping would show their appreciation by honking their horns.

Construction on the new facility began in September 1988. Dozens of willing people and businesses contributed time, property, and materials for the project. Interested people, both from the Drive-In and from the community, began contributing to a building fund. The total cost of construction was between $50,000 and $60,000. On Sunday, December 5, 1988, the new building was completed and dedicated to the work of the Lord. A year and a half later, on Easter Sunday, April 15, 1990, the cost of relocating to the new building was paid in full!