Universalist Church (Mitchellville, Iowa) Explained

Universalist Church
Coordinates:41.6711°N -93.3614°W
Built:1868
Architecture:Mid 19th Century Revival
Added:September 6, 2005
Refnum:05000253

The Universalist Church is a historic building located in Mitchellville, Iowa, United States. The congregation was organized in 1868 with a membership of thirty-five people. The first officers were: Thomas Mitchell, Moderator; Barlard Slate, Clerk; and Tillie Mitchell, Treasurer. The deacons were W.S. Jones, A. Rothrock and Pauline Weeks. Pastors included: W.W. King, T.C. Eaton, J.R. Sage, A. Vedder and F.W. Gillette. The church building was erected at a cost of $2,000.[1]

Built in 1868, it is the oldest documented building in Mitchellville. It is considered an "outstanding example of an early church design based on examples found in small New England towns."[2] The building also served the town as its first school building. After the congregation disbanded they sold their property to the state of Iowa to use for weddings, funerals, and appropriate functions.[3] The church building, along with two outhouses on the property, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2005.

Notes and References

  1. Book: The History of Polk County, Iowa. 632. universalist church mitchellville, iowa.. Des Moines: Union Historical Company. 1880. 2010-12-06.
  2. Web site: [{{NRHP url|id=05000253}} Universalist Church]. National Park Service. 2017-09-17. Elizabeth Foster Hill. with
  3. Web site: Universalists on the Prairie. Prairie State District, Unitarian Universalist Association. 2010-12-06. Harry E. Downer.