Plymouth Church, Des Moines, Iowa

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Plymouth United Church of Christ
PlymouthDesMoines.jpg
Current Building at 42d and Ingersoll
Plymouth Church, Des Moines, Iowa is located in Iowa
Plymouth Church, Des Moines, Iowa
Location545 42nd St.
Des Moines, Iowa
Coordinates41°35′06.6″N 93°40′25.2″W / 41.585167°N 93.673667°W / 41.585167; -93.673667Coordinates: 41°35′06.6″N 93°40′25.2″W / 41.585167°N 93.673667°W / 41.585167; -93.673667
Built1927
ArchitectProudfoot, Rawson and Souers
Architectural styleGothic Revival
Part ofGreenwood Park Plats Historic District (ID13000068[1])
Added to NRHPApril 24, 2013
Plymouth Church
Plymouth United Church of Christ
LocationDes Moines, Iowa
CountryUSA
DenominationUnited Church of Christ
Membership2222
Websiteplymouthchurch.com
History
FoundedDecember 6, 1857 (1857-12-06)
Architecture
Years built1858, 1876, 1927, 1978, 1986-88, 2003
Construction cost$477,000 (original)
Clergy
Senior pastor(s)Rev. Dr. Jared Wortman
Pastor(s)Rev. Lindsey Braun, Rev. LeAnn Stubbs, Rev. Rushing Kimball, Rev. Jack Mahoney
Laity
Director of musicChristopher Goodson
Organist(s)Carl Gravander

Plymouth Church is an historic congregation located in Des Moines, Iowa and is a member of the United Church of Christ. Plymouth is known for its long history of social justice work including anti-racism and suffrage advocacy, ClimateCare, and aid to unhoused and refugee populations. Plymouth Church is an Open and Affirming church, a Stephen Ministries church, and a Just Peace Church.[2] The church building, located at 42nd and Ingersoll Avenue, is included as a contributing property in the Greenwood Park Plats Historic District and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2013.[3] The official name of the church is Plymouth Congregational Church of the United Church of Christ.

History[]

1909 Advertisement for Plymouth Sunday Service

Plymouth Church was formed in Des Moines on December 6, 1857. It was started by eleven men and women who signed the “Articles of Government and Faith of the Congregational Churches.” [4][5] The first church building was a small frame building on Court Avenue. "While at this location, the church was used by the underground railroad, hiding slaves on their journey north."[6] In 1864 the church had 66 members and moved to the northeast corner of Seventh and Locust Streets.

First Two Plymouth Buildings 1858 and 1876

Under the leadership of Reverend A.L. Frisbie, 1871–1899, a new church was built in 1877 at the Northeast corner of 7th and Locust, this was Plymouth's first real church.[7] Pastor Frisbie and his wife Martha were both active in the anti-slavery and suffrage movements.[8] During his service as pastor, three groups went into the Des Moines community to form new congregations: Pilgrim, North Park and Greenwood churches. In 1900 the church planned a new grand building at Eighth and Pleasant Streets downtown. The church was built on what came to be known as "Piety Hill."[6] Parking became a problem at the downtown location as the church grew to 1300 members. Under pastor Frances VanHorn a new church was built at 8th and Pleasant Street.[9][10] An advertisement from 1909 mentions a sermon entitled "Lincoln's Religion, the religion of Jesus and Ours - for big hearted, broad minded folk."[11] During World War I a fourth neighborhood church, Waveland was started.

In 1919 there were three Congregational churches in Des Moines: Greenwood at 35th and Grand pastored by Rev. J. P. Burling; Plymouth at 8th and Pleasant pastored by J.E. Kirbye; and Waveland Park at 1117 42d Street pastored by H. J. Sealey.[12] The current Plymouth Church building has three rooms honoring these early congregations: Waveland, Greenwood and Burling.

When Dr. Burtis MacHatton came to Plymouth, he found the 8th Street building to be “bursting at the seams.” In 1925 the city wished to extend Eighth Street through to Keosauqua Way and the church property was acquired by the city. The new building opened in 1927 with a similar gothic style and stained glass windows moved from the old church. The old church site is now part of the Principal building complex.[6]

Plymouth Church, Des Moines Iowa Second Building
Seven Church Spires, Des Moines Iowa

The building committee decided to build a new church on the western outskirts of Des Moines at 41st and Ingersoll.[13] The four neighborhood churches, North Park, Pilgrim, Greenwood and Waveland joined with Old Plymouth to build the new large church at a cost of $475,000.[14] Since that time, the church has undergone two major expansions.[15]

Stoddard Lane is remembered by the congregation as the Pastor who carried Plymouth through the depression and World War II. He wrote the Motto still used by the Plymouth congregation, “We agree to differ, resolve to love, unite to serve.”

In 1957 the Congregational Church and the Evangelical and Reformed Church merged to form the United Church of Christ. The congregation was affiliated with the new church at this time.

Current building[]

The current Plymouth Church building is a contributing building in the Greenwood Park Plats Historic District. According to the application to the National Registry: "The Gothic Revival style is represented by the district's three churches as well as the West Chester Apartments (3831 Ingersoll Avenue, 1918). The most striking architectural feature of the district is the twin square English Gothic towers of Plymouth Congregational Church (4126 Ingersoll Avenue, 1926) and St. Augustin Catholic Church (545 42nd Street, 1922)."

Plymouth Church is sited: “This Gothic Revival plan has been somewhat compromised by a number of additions to the west and northwest. The notable feature is its prominent original square bell tower, a form that replicates that found in St. Agustin to the south. This is likely the only Des Moines example of matching church towers and the form itself seems to be unusual in the city. The original architects were Proudfoot, Rawson and Souers, aided by Dougher, Rich and Woodburn as associate designers. Construction was begun in May 1926. This church congregation combined two pre-existing congregations and represented the suburban shift of the downtown churches. Major additions date to 1978 was for $450,000 and 1986-88."[16]

In 1961 a 4,500 pipe organ was installed.[17] On October 16, 1988, a renovated building and grounds were dedicated after a 1.3 million dollar project. Education facilities were modernized, and mechanical systems were improved. Architects for the project were Woodburn and O'Neil for the sanctuary work and Stouffer and Smith for the education and general work.[18]

Henry Martyn Rollins Tower[]

The square English Gothic tower of the Plymouth Church building was built as a memorial to Henry Martyn Rollins. Rollins was a Des Moines business man and civic leader (1841-1915). Rollins was an active member of Plymouth Church and served as chair of the board of trustees for many years.[19][20] The tower is a key architectural element of the church. As the church building has grown, the tower has become a central focal point of the building. The tower is 82 feet tall and constructed of brick and limestone. Extensive repairs were made to the tower in 2019–20.[21]

Social action[]

Plymouth Church has always been a leader in social action in the Des Moines Community. In 1912 it opened its doors to families without fuel during a cold winter.[22] In 1968 the church opened a retirement home for low income seniors, Plymouth Place, located across the street from the church. In 1998, 250 members of the congregation worked to build a three bedroom Habitat for Humanity home in two weeks after raising the funds for materials.[23] In 2003 the church initiated a gay-friendly policy.[24] In 2018 the church began to display a “Black Lives Matter” banner.[25]

References[]

  1. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  2. ^ "Just Peace Church". United Church of Christ. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
  3. ^ James E. Jacobsen. "Greenwood Park Plats Historic District". National Park Service. Retrieved 2017-10-30.
  4. ^ Frisbie, A. L. (October 20, 1904). "Church Work in Pioneer Days". Des Moines Register.
  5. ^ Camp, Elizabeth (December 7, 1947). Plymouth Through 90 Years. Des Moines, Iowa: Plymouth Congregational Church. pp. 4–6.
  6. ^ a b c "Meet Me on the Corner: Eighth and Pleasant". Des Moines Register. May 31, 1995.
  7. ^ "Plymouth Church is Fifty Years Old". Des Moines Register. September 15, 1907.
  8. ^ "Their pastor honored: Celebration of Dr. A.L. Frisbie's Quarter Century of Service". Des Moines Register. October 3, 1896.
  9. ^ "New Church Dedicated". Des Moines Leader. June 6, 1902.
  10. ^ "New Congregational Church Opened". Des Moines Register. May 5, 1902.
  11. ^ "Plymouth Church, Eights and Pleasant Street". Des Moines Tribune. February 13, 1909.
  12. ^ "Congregational Churches". Des Moines Register. August 17, 1919.
  13. ^ "Two Churches Consolidate Soon". Des Moines Register. March 24, 1921.
  14. ^ "Open Plymouth Congregational Church". Des Moines Register. October 15, 1927.
  15. ^ "Church Crawls Toward Expansion". Des Moines Register. August 8, 2000.
  16. ^ "National Register Digital Assets". National Park Service. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
  17. ^ Boulware, Jane (December 16, 1961). "Installing 4,500 pipes in $100,000 organ at Plymouth". Des Moines Register.
  18. ^ "Dedication at Plymouth church". Des Moines Register. October 15, 1988.
  19. ^ Des Moines, the Pioneer of Municipal Progress and Reform v2. Clark Publishing. 1911. p. 1141. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  20. ^ "Henry M Rollins, pioneer resident claimed by death". Newspapers.com. Des Moines Tribune. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
  21. ^ Preserving the Past, Building the Future. Plymouth Church. 2019.
  22. ^ "Central Places of Refuge to be provided today: Heroic Measures Adopted to care for poor families without fuel". Des Moines Register. January 15, 1912.
  23. ^ Offenburger, Chuck (June 27, 1998). "A House Raising and a Heart Raising". Des Moines Register.
  24. ^ Ragsdale, Shirley (November 14, 2003). "Church Celebrates Gay-Friendly Policy". Des Moines Register.
  25. ^ Mardis-LeCroy, Rev. Matt (October 11, 2018). "Black Lives Matter. And Plymouth Church has decided to say so". Des Moines Register. Retrieved 17 October 2021.

External links[]

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