Iowa's Black Churches

by Marlene Jessop

The church has long been the center of the black community. It has been a vital force in both the spiritual and secular lives of African Americans. African Americans came to Iowa long before it was officially recognized as a state in 1846, and with them came their spirituality.

As the number of African Americans living in Iowa towns increased, congregations set about re-purposing existing buildings that formerly housed a corner store or schoolhouse into places of worship. Some were fortunate enough to construct church buildings from the beginning.

The church served not only as a place of worship, but one of social, political and cultural activity and discussion.

Bethel A.M.E. Church Cedar Rapids
512 6th St SE , Cedar Rapids, IA 52401
(319) 363-1251

Founded in 1871, Bethel A.M.E. Church is the oldest black church in Cedar Rapids. It was the only black church for over forty years until Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church was founded in 1914. In 1928, Bethel A.M.E., under the leadership of Julia Reed, began the Allen Lincoln Douglas banquet, a tradition that continues today.

Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church Cedar Rapids
824 8th St. SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401
(319) 364-6592

Mt. Zion was founded in 1914 as part of the Iowa Baptist Convention. It is the second oldest black church in Cedar Rapids. In 1994, as part of a black history month project, a small group of members conceived of a place where black history would be preserved and taught. From that, the African American Historical Museum and Cultural Center of Iowa was born.

Bethel A.M.E.Clinton
438 4th Ave N, Clinton, IA 52732
(563) 243-6646

For the more than seventy years, this church has held a wild game dinner on the Thursday before the Thanksgiving holiday. The tradition was started by William C. Jetter and other members of the church who were hunters. In 1911, Rev. George W. Slater assumed pastorate of what was then the African Methodist Episcopal Church. His son, Fred, known better as “Duke”, enrolled at Clinton High School in 1913. Duke went on to play college football at the University of Iowa and later professional football.

Burns United Methodist Church Des Moines
811 Crocker St, Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 244-5883

Named for Francis Burns, the first black Bishop of Episcopal Methodism, the Burns United Methodist Church was founded in 1866 as the Black Methodist Episcopal Church.

Coppin Chapel A.M.E. Fort Dodge
329 1st Ave S, Fort Dodge , IA
(515) 576-0073

Coppin Chapel was formed in 1915, by a group of Methodists from Missouri. Its first pastor was Rev. Matthew R. Rhonene, a native of Trinidad, British West Indies. After several moves, the church settled at its current location in 1969. In 1988, the church hosted a campaign stop by presidential hopeful Rev. Jesse L. Jackson.

Bethel Baptist Church Perry
1624 Rawson, Perry, IA 50220

Bethel Baptist Church was organized in 1914 with the help of Rev. Searcy, pastor of the First Baptist Church in Perry. By the 1920s, Bethel had formed a large choir which even performed for various events in the white churches of Dallas County. In the 1980s, services were limited to twice a month and in 1999, the last service was held at Bethel until 2005 when New Bethel Baptist Church
re-opened as part of the Hometown Perry, Iowa Museum.

Mt. Zion Baptist Church Sioux City
1421 Geneva Street, Sioux City, IA 51103
(712)255-4623

Though it wasn’t formally organized until 1900, Mt. Zion Baptist Church dates back to 1887. In the early 1900s, the church’s pastor, Rev. J.C. Reid took to the streets objecting to minstrel shows that featured white actors in “blackface” make-up.

Antioch Baptist Church Waterloo
426 Sumner St, Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 233-2587

One of the oldest churches in Waterloo, Antioch Baptist Church was founded in 1913. The church’s congregation reached nearly 1500 members in the 1960s, and has grown significantly in the past 40 years. In the 1980s, Antioch held the title of largest black congregation in the state. Though their numbers have fallen, Antioch still has approximately 500 members. The People’s Community Health Clinic, a free medical clinic for the under-privileged started at Antioch Baptist.

sources:

http://www.bethelclinton.com/
Iowa's Black Legacy by Charline Barnes
Outside In African American History in Iowa 1838-2000; Ch. 16 by Frances Hawthorne
Hometown Perry, Iowa Museum

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