First Congregational Church (Garnavillo, Iowa)

First Congregational Church, also known as Garnavillo Historical Museum, was a church whose historic building is located on Washington Street in Garnavillo, Iowa, United States. It was built in 1866 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1977.

First Congregational Church
The Garnavillo Historical Museum in 2021
First Congregational Church (Garnavillo, Iowa) is located in Iowa
First Congregational Church (Garnavillo, Iowa)
First Congregational Church (Garnavillo, Iowa) is located in the United States
First Congregational Church (Garnavillo, Iowa)
LocationWashington St.
Garnavillo, Iowa
Coordinates42°52′6″N 91°14′16″W / 42.86833°N 91.23778°W / 42.86833; -91.23778
Arealess than one acre
Built1866
NRHP reference No.77000504[1]
Added to NRHPMarch 25, 1977

The Congregational Church was organized in Garnavillo in 1844 by James J. Hill, a member of the "Iowa Band" of missionaries.[2] This is the second church building constructed by the congregation, and was completed in 1866. After its use as a church, the building has housed a community hall and meeting house, a public library, and a school. It was acquired by the Garnavillo Historical Society in 1965 for use as a local history museum. The 32-by-50-foot (9.8 by 15.2 m) brick structure has a wood bell platform over the front gable. At one time a bell was located in a frame on the platform. The bell now belongs to St. Peter Lutheran Church in Garnavillo.[2]

References

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  1. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  2. ^ a b Arnold D. Roggman. "First Congregational Church". National Park Service. Retrieved 2016-01-18. with photo
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