Our History

Our story goes back to 1855, when a small group first gathered for worship in a one-room schoolhouse in Iowa City. In 1863, the congregation moved to 217 Iowa Avenue in the heart of downtown Iowa City, which would be our home for more than a century. While the buildings and architecture changed over the years at this location, First Christian Church remained, serving generations of worshipers and reflecting the growth of the church.

 

After a process of discernment, the congregation built a new building just north of Iowa City at 900 Lincolnshire Place in Coralville. In 2002, the building was complete and the congregation moved in. This is where we remain today, as a community where generations continue to come together as First Christian Church to worship, learn, serve, and grow in faith.

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Our faith community is rooted in the Stone-Campbell Movement, a tradition that began on the American frontier with a vision of Christian unity, open table fellowship, and faith expressed through love and service. That spirit has guided us through new buildings, changing times, and generations of ministry.

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Through it all, one thing has remained steady: our commitment to being a community of welcome where God's love is lived out in real and meaningful ways. The story of our past continues to shape who we are today, and we're excited to keep writing the next chapter together.