Pella: First Reformed Church

Below is information about the First Reformed Church in Pella (605 Broadway Street).

Photo of church some time between 1869 and 1953

The photo above is housed at Pella Community Memory Database with the following description: This photo of the First Reformed Church is dated 1869-1953. This church is located at 605 Broadway Street. In 2022, the existing church is now called the First Church.

An Interior Photo of the First Reformed Church Decorated for Christmas - c. 1950s

The photo above is housed at Pella Community Memory Database with the following description: The interior of the old First Reformed Church is decorated for Christmas in this photo. The stained glass window is draped with a garland and a star hangs in the middle of the window. A tall Christmas tree glows with lights and decorations on the dais in front of the church. The gothic wood design in front of the church is identified as the work of George Herren (Heerema?)

A Photo of First Reformed Church in 1930s

The photo above is housed at Pella Community Memory Database with the following description: This postcard is labeled as "First Reformed Church, Pella, Iowa. It appears to be a brick building. The address noted here is the location of the present church building as of 2021.

First Reformed Church - 150th Anniversary 1856 - 2006 - this 24 page booklet is on reserve in the Heritage Room at the Pella Public Library but also at this link.

The photo above is housed at Pella Community Memory Database with the following description: This 150 year anniversary of the First Reformed Church covers the yeats [years] between 1856 and 2006. The authors put together a time line for each pastor to reflect on the events in the United States, Iowa, and First Reformed Church in Pella. Each pastor since the inception of the church is listed with a picture and a summary of his ministry. Church buildings are shown since the first 'Pink' Church.

First Reformed Church 1969 - Church Directory - this 42 page booklet is on reserve in the Heritage Room at the Pella Public Library but also at this link.

The photo above is housed at Pella Community Memory Database with the following description: This spiral bound photo directory measures 8.5 inches by 11 inches. The booklet has photos of the members, addresses and phone numbers.

First Reformed Church Dedication, 1954 - this 43 page booklet is on reserve in the Heritage Room at the Pella Public Library but also at this link.

The photo above is housed at Pella Community Memory Database with the following description: This booklet is light brown in color and measures, 8.5 inches by 11 inches. It is bound by staples and has 40 pages of information. There are copies of floor plans and photos of the building in various stages of construction of the church. This booklet is dated September 26-29, 1954. The programs for the dedication service for the sanctuary and the organ are contained within this booklet.

First Reformed Church Interior and Exterior Photos in 1950s

The photo above is housed at Pella Community Memory Database with the following description: Two photocopies of the previous two photos of First Reformed Church's interior and exterior.

First, Second and Third Reformed Churches in 1990s

The photo above is housed at Pella Community Memory Database with the following description: This photo was taken in the parking lot at the corner of Broadway and Liberty Street. The photo shows the First Reformed Church on the far right. The address is 605 Broadway. The middle church is Second Reformed Church at 612 Broadway. The Third Reformed Church is on the left with the squared tower. The address was 603 Main. The Third Reformed Church was torn down and the Pella Public Library built in that space. The Library opened in 2000; therefore this photo was taken before that time. The Third Reformed Church is now at the address of: 708 East 13th Street.

Original First Reformed Church, perhaps in the 1950s.

The photo above is housed at Pella Community Memory Database with the following description: The old, red brick First Reformed Church building. A tall bell tower makes up the center front of the building. Four small spires stand at each corner of the top of the bell tower. Large stained glass windows line the front and sides of the building. An arched, wooden, entry door is on the left side of the front. An electric pole can be seen on the curb in the foreground. The streets and sidewalks are paved at this time, and cars are parked next to the curb on Union Street.

Original First Reformed Church, perhaps in the 1950s.

The photo above is housed at Pella Community Memory Database with the following description: An 8 X 10 inch, black and white photo of the old, red brick First Reformed Church building. A tall bell tower makes up the center front of the building. Four small spires stand at each corner of the top of the bell tower. Large stained glass windows line the front and sides of the building. An arched, wooden, entry door is on the left side of the front. The streets and sidewalks are paved at this time. This building would be torn down in 1953 to make way for the current First Reformed Church building at the same location.

Painting of First Reformed Church by Georgia Tysseling

The photo above is housed at Pella Community Memory Database with the following description: A painting of the original First Reformed Church was a red brick building with a bell tower in the front of the building, and arched stained glass windows on each side. In this painting by Georgia Tysseling a couple enters the old church building.

Pella First Reformed Church, perhaps 1950s.

The photo above is housed at Pella Community Memory Database with the following description: A photo negative of the old red brick First Reformed Church building. A tall bell tower makes up the center front of the building. Four small spires stand at each corner of the top of the bell tower. Large stained glass windows line the front and sides of the building. An arched, wooden, entry door is on the left side of the front. The mature trees surrounded the building are winter bare, and all appear to have been recently trimmed. Electric poles can be seen on the curb in the foreground. The streets and sidewalks are paved at this time, and a fire hydrant is visible on the curb in front of the church.

Pella First Reformed Church Interior, perhaps 1950s.

The photo above is housed at Pella Community Memory Database with the following description: The cathedral ceiling with its dangling lights makes he interior of the First Reformed Church sanctuary look vast and impressive. A huge altar of finely crafted woodwork stand in front of the sanctuary with a lighted cross in its center. Pews line the space in front of the altar, a piano can be seen to the left of the altar and an organ can also be seen to the left through the wide door. To the right of the altar is a communion table, covered with a wide cloth, and nearby, on the wall, is an attendance and offering register. A small, oscillating fan sides on the altar rail next to the communion table and baptismal font.

Picture Postcard of First Reformed Church and Parsonage, likely in 1900s.

The photo above is housed at Pella Community Memory Database with the following description: A picture postcard with photos of the First Reformed Church Building and the Parsonage. Both buildings are now gone. The church building was replaced with the current First Reformed Church building in 1953. Both buildings are red brick in this photo. The church has a tall steeple and arched stained glass windows on both sides and the front. The parsonage is a two story, brick building with a wide front porch and a picket fence around the front yard.

The First Reformed Church Parsonage in 1913.

The photo above is housed at Pella Community Memory Database with the following description: A picture postcard with a photo of the First Reformed Church parsonage. The church has a tall steeple and arched stained glass windows on both sides and the front. The parsonage is a two story, red brick building with a wide front porch and a picket fence around the front yard. The bell tower of the First Reformed Church can be seen over the roof of the house behind the parsonage.

The First Reformed Church Parsonage in 1910s.

The photo above is housed at Pella Community Memory Database with the following description: A picture postcard with a photo of the First Reformed Church parsonage. The church has a tall steeple and arched stained glass windows on both sides and the front. The parsonage is a two story, red brick building with a wide front porch and a picket fence around the front yard. The bell tower of the First Reformed Church can be seen over the roof of the house behind the parsonage.

The First Reformed Church West of the Mississippi, shortly after 1856.

The photo above is housed at Pella Community Memory Database with the following description: The First Reformed Church building at 605 Broadway Street was built in 1856, but the distinctive steeple top with its four spires was not added until later. In this photo the original, red brick building with its center steeple and arched, stained glass windows on the sides, and magnificent stained glass triptych on the front stands surrounded by the countryside.

Wooden stables can be seen on the right hand side of the church, and a wagon sits by the front of the building. The streets are dirt at this time, and a wood plank foot bridge spans Union Street.

The Old First Reformed Church Building, likely in the 1950s.

The photo above is housed at Pella Community Memory Database with the following description: A picture postcard with photos of the old red brick First Reformed Church building. A tall bell tower makes up the center front of the building. Large stained glass windows line the front and sides of the building. An arched, wooden, entry door is on the left side of the front. The mature trees surrounded the building are winter bare, and all appear to have been recently trimmed. Electric poles can be seen on the curb in the foreground. The streets and sidewalks are paved at this time, and a fire hydrant is visible on the curb in front of the church.

The Old First Reformed Church Building, likely in the 1950s.

The photo above is housed at Pella Community Memory Database with the following description: Two picture postcards with the same photo of the old red brick First Reformed Church building. A tall bell tower makes up the center front of the building. Large stained glass windows line the front of the building. An arched, wooden, entry door is on the left side of the front. This picture may possibly have been taken before this building was torn down in the 1950s.

This page was created on 2023-09-29 by Al Hibbard.