History

1856   
The original Charter was established and signed by 17 individuals. In this year,
the Rock Island Railroad was completed to Iowa City thus bringing many new residents to the city. 

1866-67   
Plans for a gothic revival structure were purchased from Gurdon P. Randall, a prominent Chicago architect. 


1868   
The cornerstone for the Congregational Church was laid, and construction began.The completed building cost $30,000.  

Dec. 9, 1869   
The church at the corner of Clinton and Jefferson Streets was dedicated. 

1891   
A parsonage was built on the east side of the church.  Later the property was sold to the University of Iowa to build a new biology building. 

1924   
The administration annex was added to the building. 

1940 
The Little Chapel was dedicated and is still open during the day for meditation and  prayer.   

1957   
The Congregational and Evangelical and Reformed Denominations merged to    form the United Church of Christ.  A new Wicks organ was installed in    the sanctuary, and the Christian Education building was added. 

1969   
A Second Century renovation project made changes for a ground floor entry
level and improvements in the social hall, choir loft and chancel. 

1973   
The Church building was accepted into the National Register of Historic Sites. 

1986   
The sanctuary was made handicapped accessible. 

2002   
The sanctuary was renovated. 

2006   
A Sesquicentennial celebration recognized 150 years of service to this community. 
The church currently hosts the Chinese School, the Iowa City Foreign Relations meeting, the Community Pastoral Counseling Service, Mother to Mother Ministry and shares with other churches the responsibility for the winter Homeless Overflow Shelter.  Six University buildings are named after lay members – Seashore, Clapp, Phillips, Gilmore, Currier and Boyd. 

2007
This year saw the installation of a new pipe organ, the Casavant Opus 3867, an anonymous gift to the congregation. This organ contains elements of every organ that has served this church. The base of the reredos woodwork is preserved from the original 1903 Lyon and Healy organ. The upper portion of the reredos came with the gothic architectural embellishments that were done in 1934. The new organ, out of its twenty-nine ranks (sets of pipes), contains seven ranks from the previous 1958 Wicks organ.