First Church UCC

Pastors 1866 - Current

John W. White .....................................1867

John L. Ewell .........................................1871

A.J. Chittenden ...................................1874

William L. Bray ...................................1875

C.A. Marshall ......................................1884

Wilson Denny ....................................1886

F.L. Kenyon ..........................................1890

Edwin Moore .......................................1891

J.M. Hurlbert .......................................1895

F.B. Dean ...............................................1899

Charles F. Fisher ...............................1905

R.T. Jones ..............................................1908

J.L. Blanchard .......................................1912

George Raymond Cady ..................1913

Harry E. Harned .................................1921

Robert A. Bentley .............................1940

Verne A. Spindell ..............................1945

Harold W. Putney .............................1954

Paul J. Binder .......................................1973

David G. Yochum ............................. 1980

Robert C. Hamilton .........................1988

Laura Renault ...................................2003

Dr. Batz ..................................................2010

LeAnne Clausen de Montes ........2014

Jorge de Montes Clausen .............2014

Tammy Ebensberger ..................... 2017

CHURCH HISTORY

The town of Clinton, Iowa was platted in 1855 and 11 years later, in 1866, the First Congregational Church of Clinton came into being. The first organizational meeting was held at the residence of Royce Jones on May 7, 1866 by 15 people who had been attending the Presbyterian Church. This group was led by Abram Hosford, Vermonter and wealthy pioneer lumberman who lived where the Y.M.C.A. now stands. It was voted to call an ecclesiastical council to complete the plans. This Council convened June 5, 1866 with representatives from Lyons, DeWitt, Sabula, Dubuque and Grinnell present. The Council stated they believed that the growth of the City warranted the establishment of another Church of Christ with the same fundamental doctrines of faith from which which they descended, and the desire to be united under a Church polity which would secure the right to carry out their own acts of discipline and benevolence. Fifteen persons signed the "Articles of Faith and Covenant" and "The Basis of Union Between Church and Society". The first two Deacons were Royce Jones and A.P. Hosford and on December 20, 1866, a call was extended to Rev. J.W. White to be the first Pastor.

Two lots were purchased in 1867 on the southwest corner of 7th Ave. S. and 4th Street for $1,400. While the church was being built, services were held in what was then called the Old Brick schoolhouse on South 4th Street across from DeWitt Park. The Church building was completed in July 1867. The 1500lb bell was a gift of the Eliot Congregational Church of Roxbury, Massachusetts. This church also gave a pulpit Bible, a baptismal font and a communion service to the Society. (Bible on display in Church display case)

Cost of the new construction was $4,000 and was to be wood with a stone foundation, no basement but a belfry and a spire; the ediface to range in size between 38 X 64 and 40 X 70 ft. with work beginning May 8, 1867. Dedication was September 6, 1867. On July 20, the spire of the new Church, (which was constructed and finished inside the tower) was elevated to its position successfully, despite the brisk wind blowing. This 90' spire was the first spire in the city and looked very conspicuously.

Finanacial affairs always present, then and now, were present in 1868 when pew rentals were graded from $1.00 to $20.00, and brought in a revenue of $1,500.00. The Church Treasurer was given free pew rental while in office. In 1875 the financial concerns were at such a low ebb that the Society thought of leasing the church to the Presbyterians and returning to worship with them, but under the leadership of Rev. W.L. Bray, the church took on new life. A pipe organ was installed, as were stained glass windows and other improvements and by 1879 membership increased and financial problems abated. The First Congregational Church was destined to go forward.

It is significant that in 1877, though funds were scarce, a mission school was established in north Clinton. The Danish church was rented, and 82 persons enrolled in eight classes. George E. Jones (brother of Roys) was superintendent, with Josiah Russell assistant. This project was continued for a number of years with much success. As late as 1902 funds were appropriated for this purpose. It was during the pastorate of J.M. Hurlbert (1895-1899) that the office of Deaconess was added. Mrs. Roys Jones and Mrs. Elizabeth Scott were the first deaconesses to serve this church. The Boy's Brigade (the forerunner of Boy Scouts) was organized by Pastor F. B. Dean (1899-1905) in 1901, with John Goodwin as leader. Also in 1901, Hannah Goodwin and Helen Seaman were named the first women trustees.

With a forward look toward a need for a larger church, the old library building adjoining the church on the south was purchased in 1903 from John E. Mooney for $2,800. This later became known as Pilgrim Hall.

In 1918 and 1919 cottage prayer meetings were held, and union services conducted in the various churches to save light and fuel because of the war shortage.

In 1931, the National Council of Congregational Churches united with the General Convention of the Christian Church, to become the National Council of Congregational Christian Churches.

The first parsonage to be owned by the church, at 807 7th Ave. S., was purchased in 1941 and completely paid for in 1947. The parsonage was used as security for a $10,000 loan during he 1951 building of the Educational Building. This loan was paid in full in 1954.

Verne Spindell came to the church on 7th Ave. S. In 1945, plans for a new church building program were soon set up under his leadership. Mr. and Mrs. C.A. Depue made a gift to the church of 27 acres on the wooded hillside on 7th Ave. N. and Bluff Blvd. When the Building Chairman, H.D. Barnes, appraised the hillside site he remarked, "We could build a $10,000.00 church on that site, and it would look like a million." Also the bequest of $67,000.00 in memory of Bertha Anderson made by her husband helped to increase the building fund.

Due in great measure to the organizational ability of Mr. Spindell, the Educational Unit of the new church was brought to completion. The Sunday School unit and chapel, kitchen and dining room was built prior to Sanctuary. The cost of the building was pledged more than 90% before its dedication. The membership grew to 500.

Harold Putney came to our church in 1954 and was soon followed by the planning of the Sanctuary Unit and the parsonage.

On February 23, 1958, the culmination of a long range program which had been launched thirteen years before it took place. The $200,000 Sanctuary was dedicated. The bell that had been given to the Society 100 years before, and which had been silent for several years, was brought from storage and installed in the campanile, ready once more to ring out the invitation, "Come and Worship."

Plans for the Parsonage took shape in May, 1957 and it was dedicated December 22, 1957.

On June 8, 1958 the Moller pipe organ, the gift of Grace (Mrs. A.C.) Smith in memory of Alfred Garrett and Alfred Cox Smith, was dedicated.

In 1959 the State Conference met in the new Sanctuary - a first for Clinton Church.

In 1948 the church had approved the Basis of Union between the Congregational-Christian Churches, and the Evangelical-Reformed Church to for the United Church of Christ and on July 17, 1960, became the first church in Iowa to approve the Constitution, and by so doing officially became a member of the United Church of Christ.

The Davenport association was pleased to accept an invitation to meet "with-in our gates" in 1960 and since that time, officials and members have been happy to the facilities with many groups. A highlight was the city-wide ecumenical service in 1966 in which Roman Catholics and Protestants shared common worship.

In 1964 the Sanctuary was completely gutted by fire, dreams went up in smoke. The wisdom and good judgment of the Trustees by providing Replacement-Cost Insurance made it possible to rebuild and refurnish the Sanctuary without cost to the Congregation. Special gifts were made by the members to cover the cost of the balcony and the connecting addition to the educational unity and they were added. A gift given by Henry Kramer in 1965 provided the office for the church secretary and a Study for the Pastor.

, Monumental witness has been given to the church by devoted and dedicated members since the construction of our present facilities. A picture appeared in the Clinton Herald November 8, 2007 of 34 members who were then 50 year members or older.

Nettie Yourd, Al Bowers