The future of Arthur Baptist Church has been uncertain for several years. The 90th anniversary celebration was to have marked the conclusion of the work there, but members felt encouraged to continue services under the leadership of lay minister Charles Waterbury of Odebolt.

However, the young people have moved away and since the membership is composed of senior citizens, a motion to dissolve was passed in March, 1978; and the assets placed in the hands of the Iowa Baptist Conference.

Arthur Baptist has a long history. It was the site of the Iowa Baptist Conference annual meeting at the beginning of the 20th century, 1900. A. P. Hanson was moderator and corresponding secretary, C. J. Almquist the treasurer, C. A. Anderson recording secretary and J. R. Lindblom preached the Conference sermon. These names, remembered by very few alive today, are part of the history of the Iowa Baptist Conference.

Among the first group of people to start preaching services and Sunday School in Crawford County was H. Hallander, who later became the first pastor. He held meetings in his home and later L. J. Ahlstrom, pastor in Kiron, conducted regular mission work in the "Larson" schoolhouse. The Kiron church continued to supervise the work until the "First Swedish Baptist Church of Arthur" was organized, October 25, 1885; and H. Hallander was called as pastor.

Arthur church will be remembered for it's fine local work and strong support of both Iowa and the Baptist General Conference.

The glory of it all, is that it's accomplishments will remain forever!

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