A Brief History of First Congregational Church (according to the 2009 Annual Report) The Rev. George G. Rice reached Council Bluffs, then called Kanesville, November 15, 1851. He had come as a Home Missionary pastor under the auspices of the America Home Missionary Society of the Congregational Church. His purpose was to establish a church in this frontier community. This 32 year old man began his labors at once. He rented a room where he conducted preaching services, Sunday School, and a midweek prayer meeting. For a year and a half after his arrival conditions were so unsettled and the population changed so rapidly that the organization of a church seemed inadvisable. On the Sabbath, June 12, 1853, eight persons stood up, entered into covenant with each other and became a church of Christ. Others then came forward to celebrate the Lord's Supper with them. The first regular services of the church were held in a small dwelling made from hewn logs and used jointly by the Congregationalists and Methodists. Shortly after the formal organization of the Congregational Church the Methodists withdrew and from that time the two churches worshiped separately. A log cabin 20 x 24 feet in size near the river landing was purchased for $25, taken down and then rebuilt approximately at the corner of Glen and Broadway, to become the first church building. With wooden benches, windows and decorating, the total cost of the building was $155. On June 8, 1854, ground was broken for a new brick church building on the east side of Bayliss Park. In the years immediately following the Civil War, the church grew until in 1869 it became self-supporting. Previous to that time a part of the funds for maintaining the church  had come from the Amerca Home Missionary Society. Once again it was necessary to rebuild, for the church had outgrown the present building. Ground was broken for the church September 7, 1869, on the southwest corner of Sixth Street and Seventh Avenue. By March the congregation could use new structure as a place of worship. Then disaster cam. On the morning of May 6, 1870, a tornado struck with such fury that the new building was completely destroyed. The spirit of those pioneers is reflected in the way they faced this calamity. They determined at once to rebuild. In 1909 a new church was built on high ground, where high water and seepage would not present the problems confronted at the Sixth Street site.  The place chosen was 611 First Avenue, where the present structure was erected.   In 1948 a long-term Church Building Improvement Program was begun which resulted in a completely renovated and reconstructed church interior which included a more adequate and beautiful worship environment, educational, and fellowship facilities, a modern gas furnace, and a fine pipe organ, new entrances to the ground floor, a lovely fireplace, and many other improvements which brought about a church facility among the finest in the community. For the next 34 years the church maintained the high standards of the 1948 improvement program, but by 1981 it was becoming clear that some major sanctuary maintenance and renovation had become necessary. In the spirit of the past, recognizing the needs of the present, and confident of a great future, a $75,000 Sanctuary/Renovation/Restoration was undertaken in May, 1982, and completed in August of the same year. The project included the exposing of the stained glass sanctuary windows; replacement and redesigning of the large dome area in the ceiling with the original stained glass centerpiece, highlighted by recessed lights; the discovery of stained glass windows over the main entryway and their incorporation into the decor of the restoration; the pews were restored to their original oak tones; there were revisions in the altar area which added width and depth for weddings; the altar, pulpit, and lectern were redesigned; new carpeting was laid throughout and new ceiling fixtures were installed. The beautiful brass altar cross became the focal point for the new baptismal center and a large, handcrafted cross of wood with brass outline, made by a member of the congregation, became the focal point of the altar. As a result of a highly successful fund drive to accomplish the improvements listed above it also became possible to proceed in 1984 with a complete redecoration and renovation of the Fellowship Hall areas on the ground floor level, which included new ceilings, lighting, carpeting, redesigned storage areas and a new sound system. At a special meeting of the congregation in December, 1987, a unanimous vote authorized a $45,000 renovation project for the Primary Department for for children age 3 through fourth grade, to be completed by September 1988. The project completes the third phase of a total renovation of the church facility begun in 1982. 1989 saw a dramatic change in the Parlor. This room serves as both the choir room and meeting room for various boards of the church. A generous church family undertook the project of renovation for this room and gave it a totally new appearance. Carpeting, lighting, painting, and new furniture and lovely stained glass windows all explain the transformation. As 1989 came to a close the Heating and Air Conditioning Project was completed. This project upgraded the church system from steam heat to forced air. New units are in place in the lower level as well as the rooftop. Also approaching completion is the lower level remodeling project of carpeting, papering, painting and the upgrading of the restrooms. In September of 1990 the church parsonage was sold for a net price of $75,000. Late Fall, 1991, saw the beginning of the latest church project, the Handicapped Access Project. A generous church family has contributed a large portion of this project as a gift, other church members are also contributing. The access will allow those who find stairs difficult to have the opportunity to continue participating in church activities. Access to the church is now on all levels of the building. The project was completed and dedicated in May, 1992. First Congregational is part of the United Church of Christ which was formed in 1958 when the Congregational Christian Churches joined the Evangelical Reformed Church. While the denomination is new, its roots go back to the beginnings of America itself, for the Pilgrims, or English "Separatists", who landed on Plymouth Rock in 1620, were themselves Congregationalists. The United Church of Christ brought this tradition together with the Germanic History of the Evangelical Reformed Church for the first American marriage of two denominations of essentially different "families". The First Congregational Church has been most fortunate in the 23 dedicated pastors who have served it. The longest pastorate was that of Rev. J.R. Perkins, who served from 1920 to 1947. Dr. Donald V. Klohr served June, 1973 through June, 1991. Rev. Don Cassiday served as interim pastor from December, 1994 through June, 1996. pastor Willard M. Reger was called as full-time pastor starting July 1, 1996.

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