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Copyright 2001-7 by Sue Brown & Dr. Bill Order Books Xiamenguide Forum
Amoy Mission Main Page   Google Search E-mail
This page's material was submitted by Ms. Joann Hill, Henry's daughter. Stella helped give Amoy its reputation as the "Isle of Music!"
   Also see Amoy Vignettes by Dr. Girard Veenschoten:
My Story Dad's Practicality    Ah Beng
Our Amoy Animals Chinese New Year Related: Hill Family Hill Photos
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
REV. HENRY M. VEENSCHOTEN and MRS STELLA E. VEENSCHOTEN
by Girard Veenschoten, M.D.
281 Borden Drive, Battle Creek, Michigan
November 7, 1989

In memorium for the Rev. Henry M.Veenschoten and the Mrs. Stella E Veenschoten, Missionaries of the Reformed Church in America,A Protestant Denomination,to the Amoy Mission (Xiamen, Fujian,China).

Mother and father were born within two months of each other in 1892. Mother tived to be 7O years old.She died in 1962. My Father lived another 12 years. He passed away in 1974. I was born in 1919. Joann L. Hill was born in 1923. The third child, Mrs. Elin A. Moerland, was born in 1930.

Dad was graduated from Western Theological Seminary, Holland, Michigan, U.S.A.in 1917. My Parents were married that same summer and were called to go to China as missionaries of the Reformed Church. After two years of language study, they were placed by the Mission at the Chang Chow (Zhang Zhou, Fujian) Station about 30 miles west of Amoy.

Dad’s primary interest always was Evangelism. He would strike up a conversation with an individual on a park bench or in a store. I remember him organizing evangelistic Teams to preach on market days or at Chinese New Year.Before he left China he had a hand in the founding of Talmage College, the ChangChow Christian Middle School. He was a teacher in the Seminary. He was appointed b~ the Synod of South Fukien Church to be moderator of a very large district. There were years when he walked over a thousand miles, counseling, and supporting the local churches. He spoke fluent Chinese and was loved by all who knew him.

He was held prisoner of war by the Japanese for eighteen months and was repatriated on the Norwegian liner, the SS GRIPSHOLM in 1943.His Passion was to return to China. This he was able to do in 1945.

My Mother, who remained in the United States during the Japanese Conflict, was able to return to Amoy with my father in 1946. However they were again forced to leave five years later.

They were sent to Manila, P.I., where they served the Amoy-speaking Chinese. They were asked to produce the TEMPLE TIME EVANGELISTIC HOUR OF THE REFORMED CHURCH into Amoy Chinese.

Mother was asked to organize the young People at the Amoy Evangelical Church, a large Protestant Church of Amoy speaking Chinese in Manila. In developing this talent, she used soloists, quartets, Men and women ensembles, and Choirs. For them mother harmonized the finest church music. In 1955, for one of her final efforts, she edited a thorough revision of the Romanized Amoy Chinese Hymnal, printed in hard—cover.

Mother was a great, hard working, dedicated Christian: meso-soprano, voice teacher, choir organizer, director, harmonizer, and pianist. My parents attracted people like iron filings to a magnet. My parents retired in 1955. However they returned to Manila for another year of Post-retirement service.

Please Help the "The Amoy Mission Project!" Please share any relevant biographical material and photos for the website and upcoming book, or consider helping with the costs of the site and research materials.   All text and photos will remain your property, and photos will be imprinted to prevent unauthorized use. Thanks!

Dr. Bill   Xiamen University MBA Center
E-mail: amoybill@gmail.com
Snail Mail: Dr. William Brown
Box 1288 Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian PRC   361005