First Christian Church

Built between 1858 and 1862, the former First Christian Church represents the religious and social history of Pella in the mid-19th century, when divisions within the local Dutch community resulted in the formation of First Christian Church and other congregations. The building itself is a one-story bricking structure with minimal decoration including a semi-circular window, pointed-arched blind (closed) windows, and a verge board with jigsaw fretwork. It is now home to a bookstore called Pella Books. Previously, it was used as a YMCA branch and as a church for other congregations. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2007.

Dutch immigrants left the Netherlands in several waves beginning in the 1840s to escape religious persecution. They monarchy had taken control over the Dutch Reformed Church and persecuted those who resisted its authority. The first group of immigrants arrived in 1847 and was led by a minister named Henry P. Scholte, who founded the city. He organized the trip to America and also managed the business affairs of his fellow immigrants before they left. They named the congregation Christian Church and it was governed by elected elders and deacons as well a constitution written in 1848.

The congregation was not stable, however. In 1851, theological disagreements led a group of families to form a new congregation. Most of them were persuaded to return to the Christian Church in 1854. However, in 1855 a permanent split occurred when Scholte reversed his decision to deed property to the Christian Church, which intended to build a new church and school. As a result, the church elders voted to remove Scholte. In response, he and his supporters established a new congregation called the Second Christian Church (it was also known as "Scholte's Church"). Christian Church then became known as "First Christian Church," which erected the church building that is the subject of this entry. During the next few years two other congregations formed as well.

First Church owned the church until 1888 but it was used by another congregation, called the Soul Sleepers Church from around 1869 to the 1880s. It appears the church became a YMCA branch briefly in the late 1880s. The First Reformed Church of Pella owned it from 1888 to 1911. Playmouth Brethren Church then occupied it until 1995 when Historic Pella Trust, Inc. acquired it. Pella Books has operated in the old church since 1999.

"About Us." Pella Books. Accessed January 17, 2022. https://pellabooks.com/about-us.

Page, William C. "First Christian Church." National Park Service - National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form. March 29, 2007. https://npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/GetAsset/NRHP/07000206_text.