In Holland 's early history , Van Raalte was a spiritual leader , as well as overseeing political , educational and financial matters . In 1847 Van Raalte established a congregation of the Reformed Church in America , which would later be called the First Reformed Church of Holland . On March 25 , 1867 , Holland was incorporated as a city with Isaac Cappon being the city 's first mayor . The city suffered a major fire on October 8 &ndash; 9 , 1871 , the same time as the Great Chicago Fire in Illinois and the very deadly Peshtigo Fire in Wisconsin . Because of the Great Michigan Fire ( which included the Port Huron Fire of 1871 ) , Manistee and Port Huron , Michigan also burned at the same time
Great Chicago Fire
Great Chicago Fire
Holland, Michigan