Edwin George Mulder ’51

Edwin George Mulder ’51 of Holland, Michigan, died May 1, 2018. A history and philosophy major at Central, he was later awarded an honorary Doctor of Divinity in 1979 and an Alumni Award in 2001 by the college for his service to the church and world. He graduated from Western Theological Seminary in 1954 and was awarded that institution’s Distinguished Alumni Award in 2003.

A major figure in global Protestantism in the 20th century, Mulder served the Reformed Church in America as president of the General Synod, president of the Regional Synod of the Mid-Atlantics, minister of evangelism and general secretary. He also held positions as chair of religion in American life and chair of U.S. church leaders. He served on the executive committees of the World Council of Churches, the National Council of Churches and the World Alliance of Reformed Churches. In addition, he served as interim president of New Brunswick Theological Seminary.

As a pastor, he served the English Neighborhood Reformed Church in Ridgefield, New Jersey, the Marble Collegiate Church in New York City, Second Reformed Church in Hackensack, New Jersey, and founded the Christ Memorial Reformed Church in Holland, Michigan.

During his career he worked for women’s ordination in the RCA, a conclusion of apartheid in South Africa and the Reformed Church there, nuclear disarmament and inclusion and respect for LGTBQ community within the church.