Dutch Reformed Church

the national church of Holland. It traces its organization to the reformer, Zwingli, of Switzerland. Its doctrines are those of Calvin and Presbyterianism. The darkest days of the church were met during the repressive rule of Charles V. The house of Orange, from which William III of England sprang, is identified with the struggle of the church for liberty. The Dutch settlers of New Amsterdam organized congregations in the New World. As a branch of Presbyterianism the denomination is strong in the Middle States. Theodore Roosevelt is a member. The denomination has about 700 American congregations. Rutgers College is its chief educational institution.