Presbyterian History
In America, the first presbytery was organized
in 1706, the first synod in 1717; the first General Assembly was held in
1789. Today's Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) was created by the 1983 reunion
of the two main branches of Presbyterians in America, separated since the
Civil War: the Presbyterian Church in the U.S. and the United Presbyterian
Church in the U.S.A. The latter had been created by the union of the
Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. and the United Presbyterian Church of
North America in 1958.
Following are Links to the Presbyterian Website:
Who are We
History
Facts about the Presbyterian Church
Theology
First Presbyterian Church History
It was August 1856 when a steamboat brought
Reverend Hancock, James Rue, Thomas Officer and Cincinnatus W. Boyers to the
little town called Kanesville. On October 12, 1856 First Presbyterian
Church came into being. Its charter members were Narcissa Beck, Malena
Hardin, Martha Hugart, Mr. Boyers, Margaret Boyers, Sarah Pusey, Maria
Hancock, Henry Warren, Hannah Warren, Mr. Rue, Mr. Officer, Elizabeth
Officer and Susan Lee.
Grace Presbyterian Church History
The beginning of the church that was
known as Grace, was based on the prayerful need of a sincerely dedicated
group of people who met for a mid-week prayer service at each others' homes.
In those early days there were no automobiles, streetcars or buses, just a
queer little street cart drawn by mules, so most people walked. On one
side of the creek Mrs. J. M. Palmer, a member of First Presbyterian Church,
opened her home and led a group, on the other side of the creek, Mrs. Edward
Morehouse was a moving spirit in gathering neighbors together. In these
cottage prayer meetings, as they were called, on September 15, 1884 at the
home of Mrs. Morehouse, they organized themselves into a Mission Society,
which was the first women's organization incorporated in Iowa.
On July of 1887 a lot was purchased by the Society
on the corner of Logan and Harmony Streets and a one room church was built. November 18, 1888
- the committee in regard to the transfer of the Harmony Mission property to the Presbyterian
Church reported that a clear title without any conditions could be obtained by the payment of
$100. December 26, 1888 - Harmony Mission turned over to the Presbyterian Church to be
conducted by them as a Mission (17 yes, 1 no). May 19, 1889 - 9 members of the First
Presbyterian were dismissed (term used on change of membership) to organize 2nd Presbyterian.
Then 1901, the lot at Grace and Pierce Street was purchased and a
frame church built. It had one large room, no basement, just a hole in the ground for a "
one pipe" furnace. It also had a steeple. The lot and building cost $3000 and there were
only 35 members. When the cornerstone was laid, the church became Grace Presbyterian Church.
Beginning of New Horizon Presbyterian Church
On November 29, 1992, the Session of Grace
Presbyterian Church established a “Ways and Means Committee” to “consider
and make recommendations to the Session regarding building maintenance,
renovation, replacement and location - -.” On September 12, 1993, the
congregation of Grace voted to receive the report of the Ways and Means
Committee to develop a new site for worship and fellowship. On
September 18, 1994, the congregation voted to purchase 102 acres of land for
$200,000 for the site to establish a new church. Hence these three
actions started us on the journey which would ultimately result in worship
at New Horizon Presbyterian Church located on 30 Valley View Drive on
January 13, 2008.
The Sessions of First Presbyterian Church
and Grace Presbyterian Church called congregational meetings for the purpose
of voting on a union of the two churches in October 3, 2004. After a
positive vote by both congregations for the union a joint meeting was held
on October 10, 2003 to determine the name of the new church. The new
congregation determined the new church would be named New Horizon
Presbyterian Church.
A motion was made and passed that we start the
constitution of New Horizon and have dissolution of Grace and First on
Sunday, January 9, 2005. The first order of business was the
Empowering of Ministry Areas and Assignment of Session members. Then
on January 9, New Horizon Presbyterian Church met at the 8th and Willow
location (the old First Presbyterian facility) and continued to worship for
the next two years while the new facility was being built at 30 Valley View
Dr.
