Universalist Church

The Universalist Church is a brick building in Mitchellville featuring buttresses, stucco-covered gables, and half-timber details arranged in a T-shaped plan. Its intersecting roofs and side entrance create a distinctive silhouette along the street.

The structure was completed in 1868 during a period when Iowa saw rapid growth in permanent religious buildings. Communities throughout the region established dedicated worship spaces as settlements became more established.

The building reflects how this community valued creating spaces for both worship and gathering. Its design shows that religious and social life were closely connected in Mitchellville during that era.

The building stands at the intersection of Center Avenue and 2nd Street where you can view it from the sidewalk without difficulty. Its ground-level entrance and central location in town make it easy to visit while exploring the area.

The structure deliberately avoids traditional church features like bell towers or pointed steeples. Instead it follows residential design principles, making it blend into the neighborhood rather than dominate it visually.