Rev. Mr. Hancock was commissioned to work in Council Bluffs by the board of domestic missions of the Presbyterian church.
On October 12, 1856, the church came into being. Its charter members were Narcissa Beck, Malena R. Hardin, Martha E. Hugart, Mr. Boyers, Margaret A. Boyers, Sarah Ellen Pusey, Maria J. Hancock, Henry P. Warren, Hannah L. Warren, Mr. Rue, Mr. Officer, Elizabeth M. Officer and Susan Lee.
Officer, Rue and Boyers formed the first official board of the church, which had a charter membership of thirteen.
First services were held on the third floor of the Empire block. Later services were in Concert hall, Keller's hall and the Congregational church.
A frame church building was erected on Pearl street, near the present location of the Citizens Power and Light company.
Foundations of a permanent place of worship were laid in the summer of 1857 at Seventh street and Willow avenue. Because of a depression the super-structure was not completed until April 18, 1866.
In 1883, owing to increase in membership, another building, the present church, was proposed. It was completed on Jan. 20, 1889.
The church today has more than 600 members.
Its pastors have been: John Hancock, William McCandlish, James H. Clark, William Hamilton, T.H. Cleland, Alfred K. Bates, Stephen H. Phelps, W.S. Barnes, Marcus McClure, Frederick W. Evans, Alfred Van Orden, Paul Calhoun and C. Carson Bransby, present pastor.]]> circa 1950s]]> August 1955]]> First Presbyterian Church
June 1957]]>
Bottom: Nine years ago, Mrs. Duane Bogardus was chairwoman of the building committee when the new sanctuary at 634 Willow Ave. was being built. Here she helps Jack Andersen, left, and J.B. Petrus turn a spade of dirt during groundbreaking ceremonies in April of 1977. ]]> First_Presbyterian_Church_04_25_1977_01.jpg]]>
Bottom - New Dike Piling . . . being set by pile driver near Water Works plant will be back-filled with rock to keep river from undercutting levee.]]> Flood_Control_Flood_Plain_Flood_Insurance_05_17_1953_02.jpg]]>