The Diagonal Presbyterian Church began on May 30, 1877, when a commission was appointed by the Presbytery of Council Bluffs, Iowa. 14 charter members met at the Bethel Church and formed the first congregation. They were Ralph and Nancy STEVENS, Mrs. David (Sarah) WILEY, John and Martha (BELL) FOSTER, James and Mary Ann CORNES, George and Nancy MORRISON (of the Goshen Methodist Church), J. B. and Lizzie FLEMING, Alexander and Sivella LINDSEY.

Ringgold Record
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
February 13, 1890

Last Sabbath, a day long to be remembered by the Presbyterians and citizens of Diagonal, because of the event that occurred.

They have been laboring for months to erect and finish their house of worship. At last their efforts were crowned with complete and gratifying success. They have one of the neatest, most convenient, and beautiful houses of worship in Ringgold County.

It has prch, vestibule, and lecture or session room. The nave has stained glass windows and its seated with chairs for 200. The building is located on a commanding site.

Nearly $400 was needed to free the church of all debt but the people responded liberally and made up the entire sum.

Total cost of the house and grounds was $2,200.

During a congregational meeting held in March of 1890, it was resolved that "as God was pleased to give us a comfortable house of worship, we should start prayer meetings every Wednesday, and do our best in supporting them.P

1890 The Rev. M. E. BARAKET agreed to stay as pastor for the sume of $200 per year. Trustees were G. W. MORRISON, R. E. STEVENS, and L. L. BONHAM.

May 19, 1892 Jerry ZARUBA gave the church a new coat of paint.

1893 The church purchased an organ for $62.70.

July 27, 1903 The church applied for a $750 loan from the Presbyterian General Assembly so that a manse could be constructed. NOTE: The manse, no longer in use, was sold on April 1, 1956.)

1904 Nine members of the congregation were examined by the elders and were suspended from communion for a period of one year for "non-attendance and lack of support." Others were suspended for "being addicted to habits unbecoming to a Christian."

1915-16 The church was remodeled with the addition of a full basement which included a kitchen, furnace room, and a stairway from the vestibule. The entire church building was raised to accommodate the basement. Major changes were made to the belfry, steeple and entrance. The remodeling project was dedicated on January 16, 1916. The amount of money to be raised was $1,500, and it was raised in full and a few dollars over.

June 16, 1940 Observance of the church's 50th anniversary. Former pastor Rev. William CALDWELL (the one with an Irish brogue) spoke during the worship hour. Rev. YOUTSLER re-dedicated the church building.

1954 It was necessary to share a pastorate with Clearfield.

1956 The church shared a pastorate with Afton.

1960-62 The church shared a pastorate with Clearfield.

1962 The church united with the Diagonal Methodist Church.

Feb. 1978 The three remaining churches of Diagonal - the Presbyterian Church, the Christian Church, and the Methodist Church - united to form the United Church of Diagonal.

August 15, 1981 The Presbyterian Church was sold at public auction for $200 and was to be torn down. The church lots were sold for $1,500, and the bell was sold for $960. The ornate pulpit was moved to the Methodist church and used as the childrens' worship center. The electric organ, pendulum clock, and bookcases were also moved to the Methodist church.

Pastors who served Diagonal's Presbyterian Church included:

The Presbyterian Church federated with the congregations of the Christian (Disciples of Christ) and the United Methodist Church on January 1, 1981. The newly federated congregation was called the United Church of Diagonal, meeting in what was formerly the Methodist Epsicopal Church, built in 1911.

SOURCES:
Mount Ayr Depot Museum
Diagonal, Iowa: Centennial History Pp. 160-62. 1988.

Compilation by Sharon R. Becker, May of 2009; updated April of 2010