History

The First Congregational Church has the distinction of being the first church erected in Buffalo Center, Iowa.

September 18, 1892, the church was organized with eleven members making up the charter members. The charter members were: Mr. and Mrs. Otis Chapman, Mr. and Mrs. George Chapman, Mr. and Mrs. C.E. Welsh, Mr. and Mrs. F. J. Brooker, Mrs. O.E. Jewel, Mrs. John Thompkins and Mrs. E.E. Clark. The first meetings were held in the building on Main Street.

When the Burlington Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad extended "The Forest City Branch" to Armstrong in 1892, a new field was opened for the Home Missionary Society of Iowa; Rev. N. H. Lawrence was chosen to take charge of the work. Rev. Lawrence was pastor of the churches at Britt, Crystal Lake and Linden. (The last was held in the F.J. Brooker school house.) As there was practically no roads laid out in the Buffalo Center community, only trails could cover the shortest distances between points of habitation. The "road cart, " a two wheeled conveyance for one horse, was used a great deal for transportation when it was not necessary to use the farm wagon with its spring seat. In such a vehicle, drawn by his bay gelding, Diamond; Rev. Lawrence and his bride came to Buffalo Center. The young couple built a barn on the property owned at the time by C.A. Sparks. Diamond and the road cart occupied one half of the barn and Rev. Lawrence and his wife occupied the other half. As soon as the building was enclosed, the couple moved in. The partitions in the upper story were left out so a day school for the children of the town could be established and a place provided for church and civic activities.

The Sunday School was organized December 25, 1892, with a membership of 18 with Joseph Holt as superintendent. This has now grown to a group of about 120 with classes for all beginning with 3 year olds. An annual Vacation Bible School is very popular and well attended.

In 1893, a Ladies' Aid was organized with Mrs. Woods as president. The name was later changed to "Women's Fellowship." This organization has been an active part of the church through the years, and aids in the support of several missionaries, as well as many other projects. The Missionary Work group, a unit of the Women's Fellowship, is also an active organization whose main purpose is to sew quilts, clothing, and other needed items for various missionaries.