“Fifty years ago” – when laid out on a historical timeline, seems like a short bracket to consider.
“Fifty years ago” – when spoken, seems like a very long time ago… so long ago it may no longer pertain to current life.
But at First Church United, we are celebrating our history and our future in West Liberty, specifically our fiftieth year as a united congregation!
In January, 1974, the congregations of First Christian Church (located at E. 6th Street) and Presbyterian Church (located at W. 5th Street) had worked through months of challenging conversations, many meetings, and voted to merge.
The devoted community leaders of each church’s Board stayed the course to see it all through.
In 1974 it was very uncommon for two churches from two different faith denominations to decide to merge into a single church and unite their respective memberships.
It leads one to wonder how they managed to pull it off.
There is evidence that early efforts to work together began with the needs of the youth.
Conversations in 1965, and again in 1967, resulted in a 1969 agreement to unite the youth groups of both churches.
It worked well for both congregations and by late 1970, members of First Christian Church and Presbyterian Church began to meet occasionally to explore more ways the two churches might work together in the future.
When the Reverand of First Christian Church resigned in late, 1971, the path forward became more pronounced.
The Presbyterian Church was approached about affirming a shared ministry.
Some pastoral staffing changes occurred during this time period, and Reverend Shaughnessy was identified by Presbyterian Church to lead the unified ministry.
A trial period was established, and the congregations of both churches voted to proceed under the name The United Christian Center.
Both church buildings (one on 6th Street and one on 5th Street) were used for worship, alternating quarterly, and Sunday School was held in both buildings.
Rev. Shaughnessy announced an advance six-month intention to complete his ministry in March, 1974 and during these months the unity steering committee finalized by-laws and a search for a pastor of the merged church was activated.
In May of 1974 the official Articles of Incorporation were signed in West Liberty and delivered to the Secretary of the State of Iowa, stamped as received on May 13, 1974.
And so, what began as a dream in 1969, became a reality in 1974. The official name of the new church would henceforth be First Church United.
In August 1974, Reverend Ralph Farmer, of Wolsey, South Dakota, was recommended as a candidate for pastor of First Church United.
Following his sermon at the August 14, 1974, worship service, the congregation voted unanimous approval.
A few years into his service Rev. Farmer was quoted, “I came to First Church United, not to build a church of brick or steel, but to help to build a family of Faith, a community of believers in which the spirit of the living Christ dwells and works with power and love.”
Pastor Farmer was extremely active and engaged not only in the church, but in the community at-large. He retired in early 1997.
Succeeding leadership has been provided by Rev. H. William Dummer (1997-1998), Rev Al Zimmerman (1999-2007), Pastor Marian Hart (2008-2020), and Rev. Deborah Mann (2020-present).
With a growing congregation, active choir and youth programs, and limited space hampering their activities, the 5th and 6th Street churches were no longer serving the needs of First Church United.
A Building Study got underway and in 1975 it was proposed to purchase Dr. Robertson’s property, 6.9 acres at the corner of Maxson and Calhoun Streets.
A building fund drive began. A building design committee was formed. Groundbreaking occurred in October, 1976 and the first worship service was held in the structure you see today, at 1100 N. Calhoun Street, on October 16, 1977.
The foresight of the early leaders, to bring together two independent groups of worshippers, to meet the needs of the church family of that time, as well as the family they would become as many as 50 years later, remains a positive influence to be followed.
Working inclusively with other churches, First Church United offered physical space to the Voluntary Action Council to establish a food pantry, community-wide youth programs for elementary grades through high school has continued for decades, music programming has been constantly evolving for children and adults as an extension of the messages and seasons of the church.
The Disciples of Christ began a food tent at the Muscatine County Fair in approximately 1939, which evolved into the current First Church United structure near the grandstand, all done in service to support mission projects and outreach.
Both our fair stand and our church structures have been a gathering place for several decades full of memories.
People of all faiths are welcome to worship at First Church United. Our Sunday morning worship is a relaxed, blended type of service, combining traditional and alternative styles.
We will begin celebrating our 50th year as a united church on Sunday, May 12 and will continue spreading our festive cheer throughout the Muscatine County Fair in July.
Stop in any Sunday at 10 a.m., we’d love to have you celebrate this milestone year as well!