The denomination was created by Dutch King William I in 1825 as a union between Reformed and Luth. It is basically a Dutch-speaking church, but now it also uses English and Papiamento — a mixture of Portuguese, Dutch, Spanish, and English. It has received leaders and members from both traditions, but it is predominantly Reformed. It has always been the major Prot church. In 1931 several members, originating from the Reformed Churches in the Netherlands (GKN), created their own denomination — the Reformed Church in Curaçao (GKC). Some 10 ministers, sent by the mother church, served consecutively on Curaçao. In addition, five chaplains ministered among the merchant sailors. With its periodicalGidsthe GKC established a valuable link over the years with dispersed GKN members throughout the world. In 1984 the VPG and the GKC merged. Through this association the church has become more ecumenical and open to society. Ministers from both churches now serve the community. The more frequent use of Papamiento in worship and Bible readings is the expression of a process of growing contextualization. In 1937 the Ebenezer Church affiliated with the VPC, and it was later integrated into it. This church originates from the ministry of Obed Anthony, a Meth lay preacher from Dominica, and served through the years particularly with English- speaking migrants from other Caribbean countries.
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