First Congregational Church, Former, church building in Iowa, United States of America
The Former First Congregational Church in Iowa is a Prairie School building with strong horizontal lines and a flat roof. The structure features long, narrow windows and a distinctive white dome, designed by architect William L. Steele between 1916 and 1918.
The original congregation began in 1857, but its first building burned down in 1916. The replacement was then built in the modern Prairie School style and served the community until 1966, when the congregation moved to a new location.
The name reflects its original congregation that gathered here for worship and community events. Today visitors observe how the building has served multiple faith communities over time, adapting its purpose while maintaining its physical presence in the neighborhood.
The building stands on Nebraska Avenue and is easily visible from the street with its distinctive architecture. The area is walkable and offers good views of the neighborhood's historical structures and overall layout.
The white dome stands out as unusual for Prairie School architecture, giving the building an unexpected feature that distinguishes it. This dome contains a stained glass window that floods the interior with light in a way many visitors find remarkable.
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