West Liberty History 1838-1938

Source: One Hundred Years of History
* Commemorating a Century of Progress in the West Liberty Community * WEST LIBERTY, IOWA
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Rev. C. F. Beach, a minister from New York state was sent here in 1857 and on October 4th of that year organized the church with five members, including himself and wife. There were neither church, school house, or public hall in the little village and all public meetings were held in the combined freight and passenger railway depot, and it was there that Rev. Beach held the first Presbyterian meeting in West Liberty. During the spring and summer of 1857 he held services west of town, and at the railway depot. Later in the year the town donated two lots at Fifth and Clay streets as a location for a new church. On this site the building was erected.

A small band of ardent workers labored together with their pastor against many hardships and very little progress was made. Rev. Beach was succeeded in the fall of 1858 by Rev. J. H. Scott. The church was without a pasrot during 1862 and 1863 during which time the chapel was used as a school house. In 1864 Rev. Samuel J. Mills became the minister; he was followed by Rev. Alexander Porter, then Rev. A. Tanner, and in 1873 by Rev. Frederick A. Shearer.

A new church was built and dedicated in December, 1876. This building was subsequently destroyed by fire and a new building was erected in its place. In 1879 came Rev.N. W. Thornton, and in 1882 the church began to go on its own resources, having up to this time received financial assistance from the Board of Home Missions. In 1884 came Rev. O. T. Langfit, and on Sunday February 26, 1888, the church property was again destroyed by fire. The trustees of the church and its supporters met in the office of George C. Shipman and plans for rebuilding were immediately launched. The new building, which still stands, was built during the summer and was dedicated September 2, 1888. The Rev. Langfit remained pastor of the church for fourteen years, then came Rev. George Furniss, Rev. F. M. Dowlin, Rev. Robert McInturff, Rev. W. T. Walker, Rev. J. A. Saathoff, Rev. J. H. Mahaffy, Rev. C. E. Burdine and the Rev.H. A. Larsen. The church at the present time embraces an active membership of over 200.

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