History of the Congregational United Church of Christ

 Newton, IA

The Congregational United Church of Christ has a long and exciting history.  Our church was organized September 19, 1856, by a group of eleven men meeting in the old Methodist Church.  In the winter of 1856, before a church building was erected.  Rev. E.P. Kimball, who had volunteered for work in the west, left the historic church in Plymouth, Massachusetts, to become our first pastor.

During the pastorate of Rev. Enoch Bartlett, our second minister, the first church building was built.  The succeeding nine ministers length of service may reveal a struggle of those early years since none of them served more than four years.

In 1890, Rev. D.S. Harrah commenced his pastorate.  The well known Harrah's show place in Reno, Nevada, was owned by a member of Rev. Harrah's family.  Under his leadership a new church manual was adopted and the first women's group in the church was organized, calling itself the Christian Workers Society.  In 1892, a new church building was dedicated free of debt.  A year later a pipe organ was placed in the new church.  In May of 1894, the General Association of Congregational Churches of Iowa met with the Newton Church.

On January 14, 1917, when Rev. George C. Williams was minister, the church building was destroyed by fire.  Some of our long-time members recall that when the second church structure burned, the bell in the church belfry rang incessantly.  Items from the second church salvaged from that fire are retained in our present historical display.  For several months services were held either in the Baptist church, at that time just across the street from the Congregational property, or in the Assembly room of the Court House.

On May, 1918, the present church building and parish house was dedicated.  Rev. Williams served the Newton Church from 1914 to 1930, the longest pastorate to date.  Under the leadership of Rev. Howard F. Boardman, the church celebrated its Centennial in 1945 with many memorable ceremonies.

At the 110th Annual meeting of the First Congregational Church, January 13, 1966, in the Maytag Hotel Ballroom, new articles of incorporation and by-laws were approved and the name of the church was officially changed to the Congregational United Church of Christ.

1968 was a "landmark"year for this community because of action taken by a committee of forward-thinking members of our church.  A Newton Community Children's Center was established.  A non-profit venture, four other local churches assisted in the operation; First Lutheran, Our Savior Lutheran, First Christian, and First Presbyterian.  The following year it was reported that 79 children had been cared for since opening.  Then, in 1971, Vera Peck donated the Peck Development Center to the Iowa Department of Social Services in memory of her husband, Clyde.  The Center can accommodate 40 children during the day while parents are at work.  The Center was dedicated in 1972.

A new parsonage was constructed in 1960 at a cost of $25,000 and the Rev. Richard Schroeder and his family were the first to occupy the official church residence in 1961.  Prior to that time our ministers resided in the former parsonage attached to the main church building.  The Parish House was mortgaged for $16,800 in 1967 to provide funds for a major renovation of the church building exterior.  Extensive repairs were also made on the organ.

In 1975, our congregation together with the First  Presbyterian Church brought a Vietnamese family to Newton and showed them the warm lifestyle of our community and the mid-west.  Many of our members were involved in tutoring and helping them adjust to the "American Way of Life".  They left Newton the following year to join relatives in New Orleans.

With the resignation of Rev. Phillip Friedeman in 1979, we had the great fortune to enjoy the interim services of the Rev. Edwin W. Frohardt who had stepped down from the pulpit at the Newton Methodist Church.  His wife, Myra, joined in with our church activities and also sang in the choir.

In 1980, a vigorous young pastor from western Iowa was selected to fill our pulpit.  The Rev. David F. Raymond, who received earlier experiences in Massachusetts, was a welcome addition to our church.  His interest in people and the community is appreciated by his fellow parishioners.  Rev. Raymond remained with us for 20 years and has became the longest pastorate in our church's history.

It was in 1981, that the Newton Congregational United Church of Christ observed its 125th anniversary.  At the banquet program in observance of the occasion, Churchill Austin, former pastor of the church, recalled some of his earlier years with us.  A number of other social activities were scheduled throughout the year to celebrate this anniversary.  A Memorial-Historical Room was established just off the sanctuary area.  Memorabilia form 125 years of this church, provided by members, is on display.

With the retirement of Rev. David Raymond, Rev. David O'Rourke and Rev. Terry Slinde served as interim pastors.  Rev. Michael Dack answered the call in 2003 to be our pastor.

As a church we have always been deeply appreciative of the pastors who so selflessly give of themselves.  To show our appreciation the church has given the honorary title, Pastor Emeritus, to three of the former pastors.  They are Reverend Charles C. Harrah, 1998; Reverend Richard C. Schroder in 1984; and Reverend David F. Raymond in 2006.

Many changes have occured in the last 25 years.  Some are visual such as the building itself, some are in the internal structure, and some are in the congregation itself.  In 1982, we had 26 fifty year members who were honored in a church service with the help of Dr. Scott Libbey, Iowa Conference Minister.  Today we have 28 fifty year members.

Our outreach to people throughout the world has always been strong, as is witnessed in our dedicated giving to Neighbors in Need, One Great Hour of Sharing, Veterans of the Cross, and Our Church's Wider Mission.  Perhaps one of our happiest missions is our Lakota Project.  In 1991 our church became aware of the need for funds and workers to help maintain the church building on the Standing Rock and then Cheyenne River Reservations.  After touring the churches on the reservation, David Raymond and Brent Parker selected Elkhorn Hill Church as the church to receive our aid. An annual journey has been made to help repair the buildings and sometimes conduct summer church school.  For those who go, this has become more than a work week; the workers have become friends and now share a spiritual bond.  Reverend Good Bear and some of the Lakota teens came to our church in 1992 to share themselves in our Vacation Bible School and to give a view of Reverend Good Bear's ministry, which helped to endear his people to our congregation.  We still share a spiritual bond and are deeply devoted to the Lakota ministry.

In 1983 the Women's Fellowship became the All Church Fellowship and membership became open to all of the church, even the men.

Max and Evelyn Fuller, who were active members of our church, left an educational legacy for our youth.  The Evelyn and Max Fuller Scholarship Fund, which will benefit the lives of our young adults for years to come, was established in 1996.  It is to be awarded to young adults from our congregation who are going to a 2 or 4 year college.  In addition to this scholarship for our church youth, we support a much broader scholarship with The Congregational United Church of Christ Seminary Scholarship Fund established through funds provided by Dwight and Opal Smith.

In 1996, the Diaconate formed a sub-committee, the Health Ministry Board, to give us a professional ministry in the development and carrying out of health care programs.  Our first parish nurse, Carolyn, Hobbs, promotes the health of the faith community through the integration of the body, mind, and spirit.

Access 2000 became one of the grandest project our church has undertaken.   The project included a spacious new entrance, an elevator, and handicap accessible restrooms.

The church itself is but a building; the people who have served there and worshiped there are the essence of the Congregational United Church of Christ of Newton.  For our congregation it is the fabric of our lives.  For those who are in need, it has been and still is the hope given through faith.  For those who seek knowledge, it is the instrument that provides a means to learning.  For all of us it is the rock upon which to build.  It has stood 150 years strong in our community.  The foundation is there; the people are eager; God is with us; can we ask for more?