Pella: Second Reformed Church

Below is information about the Second Reformed Church in Pella (612 Broadway St.).

Photo of church some time between 1860 and 1950

The photo above is housed at Pella Community Memory Database with the following description: This set of photos are of the Second Reformed Church in 1860, 1918 and 1950. The 1860 and 1918 photos were taken from the collection belonging to Ralph Jaarsma. In 2022, the Second Reformed Church is at the same location. The current church is not shown in this set.

Photo of the altar of Second Reformed Church, likely taken in the 1990s.

The photo above is housed at Pella Community Memory Database with the following description: A color snapshot of the altar and podium at the Second Reformed Church in Pella, Iowa. The podium is raised and is accessed by stairs on either side. Above it is a canopy, attached to the wall, and topped with a cross. In front of the podium is a table with a communion service and an embroidered cloth.

First, Second and Third Reformed Churches in 1990s

The photo above is housed at Pella Community Memory Database with the following description: This photo was taken in the parking lot at the corner of Broadway and Liberty Street. The photo shows the First Reformed Church on the far right. The address is 605 Broadway. The middle church is Second Reformed Church at 612 Broadway. The Third Reformed Church is on the left with the squared tower. The address was 603 Main. The Third Reformed Church was torn down and the Pella Public Library built in that space. The Library opened in 2000; therefore this photo was taken before that time. The Third Reformed Church is now at the address of: 708 East 13th Street.

Second Reformed Church 75th Anniversary 1863 - 1938 - this 28 page booklet is on reserve in the Heritage Room at the Pella Public Library but also at this link.

The photo above is housed at Pella Community Memory Database with the following description: This navy blue pamphlet measures 6.5 inches x 9.75 inches and has 28 pages of information regarding the first 75 years of the existence of the Second Reformed Church in Pella, Iowa. This document shows photos of the founders of the church, and various groups of members of various consistories. Pictures of former pastors includes information about each of them.

Second Reformed Church and Parsonage, before 1909

The photo above is housed at Pella Community Memory Database with the following description: The exterior of the Second Reformed Church at 612 Broadway Street in Pella, Iowa. This picture postcard shows the front view of the original, red brick building, and the parsonage next door to the right. A tower with four spires forms the corner of the church building, and an arched, stained glass window is set into the center of the front between twin entryways on either side of the front. The parsonage was torn down to make way for Pella High School in 1916.

Second Reformed Church. Pella Iowa 1863 - 1963 100th Anniversary - this 43 page booklet is on reserve in the Heritage Room at the Pella Public Library but also at this link.

The photo above is housed at Pella Community Memory Database with the following description: The church pamphlet celebrating the one hundredth anniversary of the Second Reformed Church from 1863-1963 is a tan colored document, measuring 8.5 inches by 11 inches and bound with center staples. It contains 43 pages of information about the life of the church. There are sections on: historical highlights, photos of charter members, descriptions of former pastors and their service, adding the organ to services, missionary work, stained glass window explanations, and photos of members in various groups.

The Original Second Reformed Church Exterior in 1908.

The photo above is housed at Pella Community Memory Database with the following description: The exterior of the Second Reformed Church at 612 Broadway Street in Pella, Iowa. This picture shows the front view of the original, red brick building, and the parsonage next door to the right. A tower with four spires forms the corner of the church building, and an arched, stained glass window is set into the center of the front between twin entryways on either side of the front. The parsonage was torn down to make way for Pella High School in 1916.

The Original Second Reformed Church Exterior in 1908.

The photo above is housed at Pella Community Memory Database with the following description: The exterior of the Second Reformed Church at 612 Broadway Street in Pella, Iowa. This photo negative shows the front view of the original, red brick building, and the parsonage next door to the right. A tower with four spires forms the corner of the church building, and an arched, stained glass window is set into the center of the front between twin entryways on either side of the front. The parsonage was torn down to make way for Pella High School in 1916.

The Original Second Reformed Church Interior in 1908.

The photo above is housed at Pella Community Memory Database with the following description: A picture postcard with a photo of the interior of the Second Reformed Church. The soaring, coffered ceiling is elaborately stenciled, and a large chandelier with two tiers of lights hangs from the center. On the left is a huge pipe organ with pipes reaching to the soaring ceiling. In the center of the sanctuary an elaborate altar sits below a stained glass window. Three columns of pews line the sanctuary. A raised area on the left, contains seats for the choir. This building was built in 1863 and torn down in 1908.

This page was created on 2023-09-29 by Al Hibbard.