The Earlham Presbyterian church was organized May 1, 1870 by the Rev. W. Campbell, District Missionary. Twelve charter members adopted the “Articles of Faith and Covenant”, and bound themselves together for the maintenance of the ordinances of the House of God and the support of the Gospel. Eight of the original twelve members joined by letter from churches at Dexter and Winterset and four were accepted by profession of faith.

By vote of the church members, the group was placed under the care of the Des Moines Presbytery. From the first the new congregation flourished and, on July 17, 1870, six additional members were received and baptism administered to four.

Plans were soon underway for a new church building and, through diligent work and careful planning, the new edifice was ready to be dedicated February 5, 1871. This church, erected at a cost of $2500, was the frame building familiar to many of our older members ass a place of worship before our present church was built.

Earlham Presbyterian Church - Built in 1875

During the 1870s some familiar names were added to the church roll. Among them were those of William and Deborah Fleming in 1872 and Mr. and Mrs. James Brown in 1875.

The next twenty years found other well-loved members added. Joseph Ledlie joined the congregation in 1882; Mr. and Mrs. James L. Junkin in 1884; and Mr. and Mrs. Henry Kail in 1891.

Among the present members, Jennie Fleming Junkin, who was admitted to membership May 7, 1881, has the longest record of activity in the congregation. She has attended the church continuously for over 60 years. Five others have been members for almost 50 years. They are Nellie Fleming Hill, 1893; Mr. and Mrs Clement Godby, 1894; and J. H, and Frank Junkin, 1895.

Mr. Godby was elected a deacon in 1895 and has served continuously on the church board ever since. It was in 1894 that Joseph Stockton Roddy became pastor. This aggressive and beloved young minister did much to further the work of the church and enlarge its membership. In less than a year’s time, 36 new members were added.

In 1895 the church celebrated its 25th anniversary. At a congregational meeting August 29, 1896, it was decided to become and independent charge and procure the services of a full time minister.

Rev. William Mc Clung, Margaret Kail, and Luther Alexander were appointed by the session October 31, 1897, as a music committee. The group was to organize a choir.

In 1905, thirty-five years after the building of the church, it was enlarged and improved at a cost of $675. Special services were held to re-dedicate the church. Improvements included an enlarged vestibule and tower, redecoration of the interior of the church, and enlarged choir loft and platform, new Florentine glass windows, and the installation of a furnace.

First Presbyterian Church - Earlham (Built 1915)

Photo courtesy of Google Maps

This building served the congregation until 1915, when work on our present church was begun during the pastorate of Rev. Victor B. Demaree. Services were held at the old academy building during the construction of the church. Formal dedication of the new building was held June 11, 1916, with Rev. James P. Linn of Marshalltown giving the address.

Three hundred sixty-two persons attended the morning service and a large crowd was also present in the evening. Music for the occasion was under the direction of Ralph Cook. Rev. C. H. Purmort of Des Moines was in charge of raising funds, and donations totaled over $6000. Previous subscriptions had exceeded that amount, so the church indebtedness was cleared during the day. The total cost of the building was $13,000. Members of the building committee who carefully planned and supervised the work were: Harry Palmer, Clem Godby, J. H. Junkin, H. M. Thomson, and W. J. Eisele. The women of the church held an informal “at home” June 15 in the church parlors.

Pastors since the completion of the church besides Rev. Demaree include Rev. J. B. Howard, Rev. Walter P. Fink, Rev. Peter Brock, Rev. Porter, Rev. J. B. Coleman, Rev. James Miller, Rev. Arch Conde, and Rev. Silas. R. Overholser (through 1941).

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