Because Anton KRECHKY had the largest log cabin in the Bohemian neighborhood, the congregation meet there for church services. As the congregation grew, the community decided to build a church in 1860. The first Bohemian Church was a log cabin located on the northeast corner of Anton KRECHY's farm. Peter DOLECECK, Sr. served as the pastor. Because she knew the Bohemian hymns, Mrs. DOLECEK (no relation to Peter) led the singing. There were no instruments or hymnals at that time. Later, the Presybertian Church of Diagonal gave them a reference for obtaining hymnals.

At one time a Catholic priest visited the congregation, inviting them to form an affiliation with the Catholic Church. Because the Bohemian settlers came to America in pursuit of religious freedom, the congregation wished to remain non-denominational and free to conduct their services in their Bohemian language with their own hymns. An afflilation with the Catholic Church would have required monetary donations, something the congregation didn't have.

In 1888, the congregation built a second church, locating it across the road from the Bohemian Cemetery on land donated by Peter Dolecek, Sr.

Charter members of the Bohemian Church include the DOLECK family, the DOLECHECK family, the TOMAN family, the PACHA family, the JEZEK family, the SOBOTKA family, the KLEJCH family, the LANGER family, the KRECHKY family, and the ZARUBA family.

During the 1880's, B. D. HIMEBOUGH, a Methodist minister, settled in the neighborhood. Rev. HIMEBOUGH officiated over wedding, speaking in English, while Peter DOLECEK, Sr. conducted regular services in Bohemian. Later, Joseph DOLECEK, Sr. led services in Bohemian.

During church services the women sat on one side of the church with the men seated on the opposite side. Children sat in the front of the church.

As older members of the congregation either moved away from the neighborhood or passed away, the younger members began attending church in Diagonal where services were conducted in English.

Eventually, the congregation dwindled until the church was closed in the 1920's.

Marie PACHA's funeral service was the last service in the Bohemian Church. In 1943, the church was sold and moved to Tingley where William HALM used it as a plumbing shop. The entryway of the Bohemian Church remained behind, used as a storage facility at the Bohemian Cemetery.

SOURCE: Diagonal, Iowa: Centennial History: 1888 -1988 Pp. 164-65.

Submission by Sharon R. Becker, August of 2009