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Below is information about the Plymouth Brethren Church in Pella (824 Franklin St.).
Accompanying the photo is the following text.
This church was built in 1849 on the site of the first church built in Pella. The so-called Plymouth Brethren now meet in this building at 824 Franklin St.
Christians meeting at 824 Franklin Pella owe their beginnings to a movement which began about the middle of the nineteenth century. In Dublin, Ireland and in Plymouth, England small groups began meeting in the name of the Lord alone (according to Matthew 18:20). For convenience sake they were often called "Plymouth Brethren". However, since their only authority was the Word of God and they were not an organized denomination, they did not accept any organizational name.
Among the early leaders and teachers was a Mr. J. N. Darby who had been connected with the Church of England and was a curate of the parish of Wicklow. A scholar of Hebrew and Greek, he did much expository writing on the Scriptures. He also traveled extensively and was instrumental in interesting groups of Christians to meet in or unto the Lord's name throughout England. The movement spread also to the United States and Canada.
About the year 1880, a man by the name of A.H. Rule, who lived in Vinton, Ia., came to Pella and preached the gospel in a building which had been used by the Second Baptists who were no longer an active group. Several individuals were saved through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and His atoning work on the cross. Soon after, Mr. Rule was followed by a Mr. Lyman who was instrumental in setting up the "Lord's Table" in Pella.
The first place of meeting was an upper room on the north side of the square, which housed a millinery shop on the first floor. As time went on these quarters became too small, and the group moved to a building on Union St. which had been used by Presbyterians. At this time it was owned by a Mr. R.R. Beard. Then, too, such well-known early Pella names as Scholte (Henry and David, sons of the "Dominie"), Kruidenier, Bousquet, and Nollen were found among those gathered to the Lord's name.
After a time this building was sold and the group moved to 824 Franklin St. The history of this site dates back to the year 1849, when Dominie H.P. Scholte acquired a parcel of 320 acres of land from the state of Iowa. In November of that year, according to the records, he "grants and conveys" a part of this land to the "Christian Church of Pella" to quietly enjoy. Among the names of deacons and elders were the well-known G.H. Overcamp, H.K. Barendregt and P. Welle. It is, evident that a building was erected to the north of the existing one.
On Jan. 22, 1888, since the "Christian Church of Pella" had ceased to exist, the property was sold to the First Reformed Church of Pella (for $185.00. Two plots of this land were sold to private individuals and a building was constructed by this denomination for its smaller congregational meetings. In the course of years it was also used by a group called "Soul Sleepers".
On Mar. 10, 1911, the property was sold by the First Reformed Church to trustees for those gathered to the Lord's Name in Pella. They were N. VanVliet, J.H. VanVliet, and P.A. Renaud. So, to the present day, in much admitted weakness, a group of Christians will be found here for Sunday School, for the remembrance of the Lord, for prayer, for study of the Word, and for preaching of the gospel. Special addresses are scheduled also from time to time.
by Dean Ver Steeg
[History of Pella, Iowa 1847-1987 Vol. 1 p.101]
This page was created on 2023-09-29 by Al Hibbard.