It was a hewn log house at 234-236 West Broadway.
In 1853 Rev. Mr. Rice organized the Congregational Church and erected a log church building at Pierce Street and Glen Avenue.
In 1854 a substantial brick church was built on the present site occupied by The Nonpareil. A church bell was shipped by boat from Boston and placed in the church. The bell is now in use at the Dodge Memorial Congregational Church.
A second church was built in 1870 at Sixth Street and Seventh Avenue but was blown down. It was rebuilt.
The present church building on First Avenue near Sixth Street was constructed in 1910.
Rev. Harvey Adams came to Council Bluffs in 1860 as the second pastor of the church.]]> Daily Nonpareil April 18, 1953]]> 1953-04-18]]> First Congregational Church To Hold 100th Annual Meeting Monday Evening January 10, 1953
Congregational Church Elects - 100 Members Attend 100th Annual Meet January 13, 1953
First Congregational Celebrates 100th Year June 6, 1953
Church Elects New Officers - 1st Congregational Announces '55 Plans (circa 1954)
Congregationalist Group To Observe Centennial Tuesday April 3, 1954
60 Workers To Launch Drive - 1st Congregational Is Seeking $70,000 May 14, 1955
Vote To Remodel Bluffs' Church - Congregationalists To Raise $70,000 April 23, 1955
Lets Contract For Church Work - 1st Congregational Plans To Remodel October 31, 1955
Remodeled Church 'Simply Beautiful' - Project Costs $85,000 July 29, 1956
Congregational Church Installs New Pipe Organ March 7, 1959
Omahan To Serve As Minister July 6, 1968
Pilgrim Thanksgiving November 25, 1970
Open House At New Library - Appropriate For Week April 12, 1975
First Congregational To Celebrate Birthday June 10, 1978
Historical Site Congregational Focus Sunday August 5, 1978
Special Thanksgiving Services - Area Churches Slate November 18, 1978
1st Congregational Elects New Officers February 3, 1979
Re-dedication For Sanctuary October 16, 1982
Tables Set For Seasons October 2, 1985
16th Table Of All Seasons Is At First Congregational October 3, 1987
C.B. Church Now 135 May 7, 1988]]> The pastor said the $300,000 project is a couple of months behind schedule, but he believes the room will be enclosed within a few weeks. An Easter, 1978 completion date is expected.]]> The group invited Rev. R.W. Leisher, Cincinnati, O., to conduct a series of evangelistic meetings at the mission. At the close of the meetings on Jan. 3, 1915, the First Church of the Nazarene was organized with about twenty members. The charter was held open until the following August, when the membership reached seventy-five.
Rev. and Mrs. Leisher served as the first pastors. The first church was located in a store building at 337 East Broadway. The group purchased a lot at Twenty-sixth street and Avenue A. Services were first conducted on Sept. 30, 1915, in the church erected there. The building, however, was not completed until 1923 under direction of Rev. M.C. Campbell.
The Sunday school has grown to an enrollment of 500.
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