FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Alice Burgett has been a member of the church on West Fourth Street since the mid-1940s . Formed in 1853 when Ottumwa was a frontier community of 600 people , First Presbyterian has seen its changes as well , namely recent renovation projects to the church ’ s kitchen and fellowship hall in an almost 100 year-old building .
But Burgett estimated church attendance has fallen by about half from its peak decades ago , to about 100 per week . Still , there is a lot of pride in the traditional church service from the congregation .
“ We love our church and the people there ,” she said . “ With ( Interim Pastor ) Nancy ( Cameron ) and
ABOVE : Pictured is the original building of the First Presbyterian Church , dated from the 1870s . This building was located at the intersection of Fourth and Green streets , and was constructed in 1856 . The church began in 1853 , making it the second-oldest church still in operation in Ottumwa . First Presbyterian is currently located at Fourth and Washington streets . Photo courtesy of the Lemberger Collection
The sanctuary of First Presbyterian Church at Fourth and Washington streets in Ottumwa . The church building , which is about 100 years old , has seen extensive improvements in recent years to its kitchen and fellowship hall . Photo by Chad Drury / The Ottumwa Courier
26 | Now & Then