1915 Program for the Church’s 75th anniversary service
Program for the Church’s 75th anniversary service
First Presbyterian Church of Iowa City
09/26/1915
First Presbyterian Church of Iowa City
Educational use only.
PDF
English
Document
fpc_1915-053.pdf
Iowa City, Iowa
1965 125th Anniversary History booklet
A history of the First Presbyterian Church, from 1840-1965, written by Clarence A. Andrews. The booklet covers 125 years of Church history, and includes photos of some of the founding members and pastors of the Church.
Andrews, Clarence
04/1966
First Presbyterian Church of Iowa City
Educational use only.
PDF
English
Document
fpc_1856-093.pdf
Iowa City, Iowa
1934 Specification of the new organ at the Church
A specification of the new organ for the Church, which details the various stops. The organ is designated as Austin, Op. 1868.
Austin Organ Company (?)
1934
First Presbyterian Church of Iowa City
Educational use only.
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English
Document
fpc_1934-064.jpg
Iowa City, Iowa
1934 Letter from BG Austin to WW Mercer of the First Presbyterian Church regarding the receipt of payment and invoice for the new organ
Letter from BG Austin to WW Mercer of the First Presbyterian Church regarding the receipt of payment and invoice for the new organ.
Austin, B.G.
10/29/1934
First Presbyterian Church of Iowa City
Educational use only.
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English
Document
fpc_1934-063.pdf
Iowa City, Iowa
1940 Letter from Guy L. Barnes detailing McCready genealogy
A letter from Guy Barnes detailing the McCready family. It mentions James M. McCready and Sarah McCready, who were early members of the Church in Iowa City. It also mentions Almon Barnes, who was ruling elder in the First Presbyterian Church in Scott township.
Barnes, Guy L.
12/9/1940
First Presbyterian Church of Iowa City
Educational use only.
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English
Document
fpc_1940s-068.pdf
Iowa City, Iowa
1853 Request for Rev. Michael Hummer to be paid $490.00
A request by the Board of Trustees of the First Presbyterian Church of Iowa City, to the Treasurer of the Church, stating that Rev. Michael Hummer should be paid $490.00 out of any available Church funds. This request comes after many months of argument over payments demanded by Rev. Hummer, and was brought about shortly after Rev. Crozier met with Rev. Hummer to discuss the subject. Signed Geo. W. Clark, Secretary, and Harvey W. Fyffe, President.
Clark, George W.
10/25/1853
First Presbyterian Church of Iowa City
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fpc_1853-025.jpg
Iowa City, Iowa
1869 Contract for the building of a spire for the First Presbyterian Church
Handwritten contract between Sheets and Adams carpenters and the Board of Trustees of the First Presbyterian Church for a new spire. The contract details the amount to be paid and the conditions under which the spire will be built. Signed: Rush Clark, Pres Bd Trustees; E Shepard Sec [illegible]; Sheets & Adams
Internal Revenue 5 cent certificate stamp, canceled with March 24/69 S.A.
Clark, Rush
08/24/1869
First Presbyterian Church of Iowa City
Educational use only.
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English
Document
fpc_1869-037.pdf
Iowa City, Iowa
1869 Warranty contract for Sheets & Adams to the Board of Trustees of the Church
A warranty obligation created by Sheets & Adams, binding them to the Board of Trustees for $1500 (or the cost of damages) if they do not fulfill their contract for the spire. Signed Sheets & Adams; Jos. [illegible]; Mortimer Ryan; R M Bixby.
Internal Revenue 25 cent certificate stamp, canceled with March 24/69 S.A.
Clark, Rush
03/24/1869
First Presbyterian Church of Iowa City
Educational use only.
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fpc_1869-038.jpg
Iowa City, Iowa
1870 Document detailing Stone Church property
Document recording a meeting where the First Presbyterian Church has been asked to consider a purchase of the Stone Church on Burlington St. by Rev. S. S. Howe. The document details the state of the building as well as its liabilities and any value it might have had at the time.
The Stone Church was built around 1845, and was the meeting place for the New School Society of Iowa City. The congregation disbanded in 1866, and the building fell into disrepair. According to the Iowa Historical Record (vol. 15, p. 573) Rev. Howe, an early pastor of the New School, continued to live alone in the Stone Church for a time. The State Historical Society of Iowa was housed in the Stone Church from 1868 until 1882 or 1884, as well.
Clark, Rush
11/21/1870
First Presbyterian Church of Iowa City
Educational rights only
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English
Document
fpc_1868-039.pdf
Iowa City, Iowa
1941 A Pioneer Bell
A re-telling of Craig Schell's account of the Church's missing bell, by J. Kirkwood Craig. Schell's account was from 1911, and Craig is giving an abbreviated version of it in 1941, and adds his own recollections and information to the story.
Craig, J. Kirkwood
Schell, J. P. Craig
08/26/1941
First Presbyterian Church of Iowa City
Educational use only.
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English
Document
fpc_1940s-069.pdf
Iowa City, Iowa
1941 Letter from J. Kirkwood Craig to Mr. A. J. Larew
Letter from J. Kirkwood Craig to A.J. Larew. Craig mentions that he is sending his recollections of the missing Church bell, and also speaks about his grandfather, John Shoup.
Craig, J. Kirkwood
08/27/1941
First Presbyterian Church of Iowa City
Educational use only.
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fpc_1940s-070.jpg
Iowa City, Iowa
1941 Letter from J. Kirkwood Craig to Dr. J Van Der Zee
Letter from J. Kirkwood Craig to Jacob Van der Zee, detailing some of Craig's efforts to find and identify the missing Church bell.
Jacob Van der Zee was wrote many historical items, including a History of Presbyterianism in Iowa City.
Craig, J. Kirkwood
11/26/1941
First Presbyterian Church of Iowa City
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fpc_1940s-071.jpg
Iowa City, Iowa
1942 Letter from J. Kirkwood Craig to Jacob Van der Zee
Letter from J. Kirkwood Craig to Jacob Van der Zee, which he sent along with letters from John Taylor and Alvin Smith from Salt Lake City.
Craig, J. Kirkwood
1/5/1942
First Presbyterian Church of Iowa City
Educational use only.
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fpc_1940s-074.jpg
Iowa City, Iowa
1943 Letter from J. Kirkwood Craig to Jacob Van der Zee and photocopied portrait of Elder Shoup
Letter from J. Kirkwood Craig to Jacob Van der Zee, which accompanied a photography of John Shoup.
Craig, J. Kirkwood
4/28/1943
First Presbyterian Church of Iowa City
Educational use only.
English
Document
fpc_1940s-075a.jpg
fpc_1940s-075b.jpg
Iowa City, Iowa
1853 Report to the Board of Trustees of the First Presbyterian Church
Report by Rev. John Crozier to the Board of Trustees of the Church, detailing two monetary claims against the Church. The first claim is held by Rev. Michael Hummer, former pastor of the Church, for $658.00. The second claim is held by Miss Legare, for a loan of $1000 plus three years interest.
There is currently a page missing from this digitized version of the report.
Crozier, John
09/27/1853
First Presbyterian Church of Iowa City
Educational use only.
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English
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fpc_1853-020.pdf
Iowa City, Iowa
1853 Report to the Board of Trustees of the First Presbyterian Church
Report by Rev. John Crozier to the Board of Trustees of the Church, detailing his attempts to settle Rev. Michael Hummer’s claim against the Church for unpaid salary. The report was written in Burlington, Iowa, where Rev. Crozier had gone to meet with Rev. Hummer during the Presbytery of Iowa’s meeting there.
Crozier, John
10/06/1853
First Presbyterian Church of Iowa City
Educational use only
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English
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fpc_1853-021.pdf
Iowa City, Iowa
1853 Receipt for $91.00 received by Rev. John Crozier, for services as pastor of the First Presbyterian Church
Rev. John Crozier (August 27, 1822-December 23, 1891) was pastor at First Presbyterian Church from May-August, 1853. During his short tenure he met several times with Rev. Michael Hummer to discuss the stolen Church bell and Rev. Hummer’s claims for payment. Paper marked “Laflin Bros.” Signed Jno Crozier
Crozier, John
06/07/1853
First Presbyterian Church of Iowa City
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fpc_1853-024.jpg
Iowa City, Iowa
1890 Letter from Rev. Crozier to Rev. Barrett
Letter written by Rev. John Crozier to Rev. Edward Barrett in 1890. In it, Rev. Crozier talks about Rev. Michael Hummer at length, including information about his parents, his education, and his early days as a reverend. Crozier states that Hummer’s mother was Martha Evans, a survivor of a massacre in Abb’s Valley, Virginia, in July of 1786.
The letter was written in Tolono, Illinois. The envelope has a postmark from Tolono, Ill., dated Sep 27. The return address is Box 182, Tolono, Illinois. The envelope is postal stationery, imprinted with a two-cent stamp featuring Benjamin Franklin.
Crozier, John
09/25/1890
First Presbyterian Church of Iowa City
Educational use only.
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English
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fpc_1890-046.pdf
Iowa City, Iowa; Abb's Valley, Virginia
1934 Tabulated Quotations on Organ Specifications
Document outlining the various bids from organ builders that submitted proposals to the Church for their new organ.
First Presbyterian Church of Iowa City
1934
First Presbyterian Church of Iowa City
Educational use only.
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fpc_1934-058.jpg
Iowa City, Iowa
1847 Constitution of the First Presbyterian Church
Constitution of the First Presbyterian Church.
First Presbyterian Church of Iowa City
07/24/1847
First Presbyterian Church of Iowa City
Educational use only.
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English
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fpc_1847-009.pdf
Iowa City, Iowa
1890 First Presbyterian Church Jubilee Anniversary Program
Program created for the First Presbyterian Church’s Jubilee Anniversary, which took place September 11-13, 1890. The Church celebrated 50 years of organization with special services and activities. Rev. Edward Barrett was pastor at the time.
First Presbyterian Church of Iowa City
1890
First Presbyterian Church of Iowa City
Educational use only.
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English
Document
fpc_1890-045.pdf
Iowa City, Iowa
1956 Service Booklet
Service booklet from June 24, 1956. Back page has historical notes.
First Presbyterian Church of Iowa City
06/24/1956
First Presbyterian Church of Iowa City
Educational use only.
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fpc_1856-088.pdf
Iowa City, Iowa
1956 Litany of dedication booklet
Litany of dedication for bible markers and a pulpit scarf that were presented as a memorial to Matthew Slemmons. Back cover has historical information about, and a photo of, Mr. Slemmons.
First Presbyterian Church of Iowa City
12/02/1956
First Presbyterian Church of Iowa City
Educational use only.
PDF
English
Document
fpc_1856-089.pdf
Iowa City, Iowa
1956 Festival Service Commemorating the Centennial of the Building
Service booklet from 1956, marking the centennial celebration of the Church building (Old Brick).
First Presbyterian Church of Iowa City
12/02/1956
First Presbyterian Church of Iowa City
Educational use only.
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English
Document
fpc_1856-090.pdf
Iowa City, Iowa
1934 Letter from Henry Fisk to Willis Mercer regarding the installation of the new organ in the Church
Letter from Henry Fisk to Willis Mercer, regarding the completion of the installation of the new organ in the Church. Henry Fisk was an architect involved with the installation, and Willis Mercer was on the Board of Trustees of the Church.
Fisk, Henry
10/23/1934
First Presbyterian Church of Iowa City
Educational use only.
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English
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fpc_1934-062a.jpg
Iowa City, Iowa
1851 Cross Bill filed by the Board of Trustees of the First Presbyterian Church against Rev. Hummer
Cross Bill filed by the Board of Trustees, in response to Rev. Hummer’s Bill of Complaint against them. The Cross Bill has several questions that the Board compels the Court to have Rev. Hummer address, and also asks the Court to rule against Rev. Hummer and his Bill.
An addendum dated 03/19/1851 states that, in response to the Cross Bill, Rev. Hummer’s attorney W. G. Woodward Esq. appears in court to state that Rev. Hummer has been “found a monomaniac” by a jury in the probate court of Lee County, Iowa. He further states that three men have named guardians of Rev. Hummer’s person and belongings, and as such, their names should be substituted for Rev. Hummer’s in the Cross Bill.
Gardner, S. B.
03/18/1851
First Presbyterian Church of Iowa City
Educational use only.
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English
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fpc_1851-019.pdf
Iowa City, Iowa
1911 Letter from George Gibbs to Walter Davis about the Church’s missing bell
George Gibbs, writing as Secretary to the President of the Church of Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints, responds to a previous letter from Walter Davis inquiring about the possibility of the First Presbyterian Church’s missing bell being in possession of the LDS Church.
Gibbs, George F.
03/15/1911
First Presbyterian Church of Iowa City
Educational use only.
PDF
English
Document
fpc_1911-047.pdf
Iowa City, Iowa; Salt Lake City, Utah
1860 Sheriff’s Certificate—N. Oakes vs. Presbyterian Church
Sheriff’s Certificate, describing Sheriff Edmund Harrison’s posting of a specific lot of land for sale (block 86, lot 8, the northwest corner of Market St. and Clinton St.) in November, 1859. An added portion, written by N. Oakes and dated August 9, 1860, describes his selling of title and right to the property to John C. Culbertson. A final portion, written by John C. Culbertson and dated August 21, 1860, describes his releasing of title and right to the property to the First Presbyterian Church.
Harrison, Edgar
Harrison, Edmund
Oakes, Nicholas
Culbertson, John C.
01/18/1860
First Presbyterian Church of Iowa City
Educational use only.
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English
Document
fpc_1860-030.pdf
Iowa City, Iowa
1851 Response to Bill of Complaint brought by Rev. Hummer against the Church
Response by the President and the Board of Trustees of the First Presbyterian Church to the Bill of Complaint brought by Rev. Michael Hummer.
Hughes, Thomas
03/18/1851
First Presbyterian Church of Iowa City
Educational use only.
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English
Document
fpc_1851-018.pdf
Iowa City, Iowa
1847 Rev Hummer’s Collection Ledger, 1847 & Expense Ledger, 1847-1850
First pages of ledger detail money collected by Rev. Michael Hummer in 1847, for the building of the First Presbyterian Church. Rev. Hummer made two trips out East to raise funds for the Church, and the ledger records the amounts received in different cities.
Remaining pages detail expenditures for goods and services related to building the Church during the years 1847-1850.
Hummer, Michael
1847-1850
First Presbyterian Church of Iowa City
Educational use only.
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English
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fpc_1847-016.pdf
Iowa City, Iowa
1847 Rev. Michael Hummer’s Church Book, 1845-1847
An expense ledger kept by Rev. Michael Hummer from mid-1845 to 1847. The ledger details the amounts paid for various materials and services related to building a church. Rev. Hummer was the first pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, and had been appointed by the Trustees with securing funds for, and overseeing the building of, the first Church building. Rev. Hummer was pastor from 1841-1848; the Church structure was incomplete at the time of his departure.
The ledger is written in tête-bêche style, i.e., from both covers and contents written from the back are upside down from those written from the front. The first dated page from the front cover is dated May, 1845 and the first page from the back cover is dated June, 1845.
Hummer, Michael
1845-1847
First Presbyterian Church of Iowa City
Educational use only.
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English
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fpc_1847-017.pdf
Iowa City, Iowa
1853 Letter from Rev. Hummer to Rev. Crozier
Letter written by Rev. Michael Hummer to Rev. John Crozier, detailing a time and place where the two of them can meet. The letter was written in Hamilton, Illinois.
Hummer, Michael
09/22/1853
First Presbyterian Church of Iowa City
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fpc_1853-022.jpg
Iowa City, Iowa
1853 Rev. Hummer’s Proposed Settlement with the First Presbyterian Church
A proposed settlement written by Rev. Michael Hummer, given to Rev. John Crozier and sent to the Board of Trustees of the First Presbyterian Church with Rev. Crozier’s report. Rev. Hummer asks for $400.00 down and $100.00 within the year, at ten percent interest, along with the costs of the ongoing lawsuit and attorney fees up to $50.00. The settlement was written in Middletown, Iowa, where Rev. Crozier and Rev. Hummer met for several hours. It is signed M. Hummer and Robt McGuigan
Hummer, Michael
10/06/1853
First Presbyterian Church of Iowa City
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fpc_1853-023.jpg
Iowa City, Iowa
1940 Letter from Ilion T. Jones to Jacob Van der Zee
Letter from Rev. Ilion T. Jones to Jacob Van der Zee, thanking him for his work in researching and writing about the history of the Church.
Jones, Ilion T.
11/26/1940
First Presbyterian Church of Iowa City
Educational use only.
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fpc_1940-086.jpg
Iowa City, Iowa
1923 Land Patent Record for the First Presbyterian Church (copy)
A copy of the Church’s Land Patent Record. Filed by J. M. Kadlec on May 25, 1923.
Kadlec, J.M.
05/25/1923
First Presbyterian Church of Iowa City
Educational use only
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fpc_1923-054.jpg
Iowa City, Iowa
1874 Sunday School Records
1874 Sunday School Record book
Lee, J. W.
1874
First Presbyterian Church of Iowa City
Educational use only.
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fpc_1874-042.pdf
Iowa City, Iowa
1890 Letter from Rev. O. O. McClean regarding the Church’s 50th anniversary celebration
A letter written by Rev. Oliver O. McClean (to the then-current pastor Rev. Edward Barrett?) sending his regrets that he could not attend the First Presbyterian Church’s 50th anniversary Jubilee. The letter was written in Lewistown, Pennsylvania.
McClean, Oliver
09/15/1890
First Presbyterian Church of Iowa City
Educational use only.
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fpc_1890-044.pdf
Iowa City, Iowa
1860 Receipt for $905.85 received by Rev. Oliver O. McClean, for services as pastor of the First Presbyterian Church
Receipt for $905.85, received by Rev. Oliver O. McClean, for services to the the First Presbyterian Church from June 1, 1859 to May 31, 1860. Rev. McClean was elected to fill the position in April, 1859, and started his duties in October. He remained with the Church until May 1861, although according to The Iowa Journal of History and Politics, vol. 13, he was never formally installed as pastor. During his tenure, he helped raise a significant amount of money that went towards relieving Church debt, and was instrumental in helping to unite the Church congregation.
McClean, Oliver O.
09/15/1860
First Presbyterian Church of Iowa City
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fpc_1860-031.jpg
Iowa City, Iowa
1944 Letter from H. S. McCready
Letter from H.S. (Sherman) McCready to Jacob Van der Zee, relating details about the deaths of his father and grandfather, James McCready and James M. McCready.
McCready, H. S.
4/15/1944
First Presbyterian Church of Iowa City
Educational use only.
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fpc_1940s-077.jpg
Iowa City, Iowa
1911 Letter from Andrew Meneely of Meneely & Co. to Rev. Wylie, about the bell that the foundry made for a church in Iowa City in 1849.
A letter from Andrew Meneely, President and General Manager of the Meneely Foundry in West Troy, New York. The letter was written to Rev. D. W. Wylie and describes the record (dated Aug. 16, 1849) of a bell being made for a church in Iowa City. The letter is in response to a previous letter written by Rev. Wylie, which was related to the Church’s missing bell. Meneely references Rev. Dexter P. Smith, who was pastor of the Baptist Church in Iowa City.
Meneely, Andrew
11/21/1911
First Presbyterian Church of Iowa City
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fpc_1911-049.jpg
Iowa City, Iowa; West Troy, New York