Our History

In 1869 a small group of young men and women met in Brown's Hotel to organize the First Universalist Society of Cedar Rapids, Iowa.  That modest beginning initiated an important presence in the city and region for well over a century. With historic ties to both the Unitarian and Universalist traditions of our denomination, Peoples Church has been a voice for liberal religion in Cedar Rapids, contributing to the cultural life of the community and supporting the efforts of its members in promoting social action. 

By 1878, the organizers had acquired property at 6th Street and 3rd Avenue SE and constructed a brick church. Now on the National Register of Historic Places, the brick/stucco structure is Cedar Rapids' second-oldest church building. However, the early progress of acquiring property, constructing a church building, and increasing membership was offset by continual difficulty in retaining ministers. Ill health, insufficient salaries, and better chances elsewhere carried them off with disturbing frequency.

But in 1908, the church acquired as its minister a luminary, Dr. Joseph Fort Newton. His powerful lecturing style and popular writings gained him so much influence that he was able to adapt the Universalist group to his personal idea of a theologically free fellowship, renamed "The Liberal Christian Church."  He built the prestige, membership, and confidence of the church and during his nine-year tenure, Newton did much to set the tone for what was to come. 

The shock of Newton's departure for a parish in London, England, was compounded by the death of his successor only weeks after being installed.  Matters quickly went downhill. The Liberal Christian Church withdrew from the Universalist Convention and, floundering, discussed merger with the local Congregationalist Church.  Failing this, in 1921 Peoples Christian Church, as it had begun calling itself, engaged Dr. W. Waldemar W. Argow as its minister. This outstanding minister again inspired an upward trend in fortunes. Membership increased, new church organizations formed, a lecture series and publications were resumed, and remodeling of the building was undertaken, with local artist and teacher Grant Wood as one of the designers. In 1928 the congregation secured a loan from the American Unitarian Association and began formal affiliation.

Following Dr. Argow's departure in 1930, another low period of rapid changes in ministry, money problems, and renewed discussions with the Congregationalists ensued. Then, once again, Peoples Church found leadership, this time from within. Board President Allan Thurman, together with George Claassen, rallied the congregation, and in 1944 secured the appointment of Waldemar Argow, Jr., son of the previous Dr. Argow, as minister.

Argow, Jr., a colorful preacher both in the pulpit and on local radio, strengthened ties to the greater community. During his tenure of almost 13 years, a shift of administrative functions from minister to congregation took place. The Sunday School became Peoples Church School of Religion in 1949, directed by an innovative laywoman, Polly Ely. Members created an Executive Secretary position; initiated a choir, newsletter, and coffee hour; paid off the mortgage to the AUA; and started planning an addition to the original church building. By the time the addition was opened in 1958, the Reverend "Wally" Argow had left Peoples. This time, the aftermath of losing a charismatic preacher was renewal. Not only had the church fortified itself against a letdown of congregational activity and expectations by developing lay leadership potential, but it had also strengthened its denominational ties.

Throughout its existence, Peoples people have shown an unflagging commitment to community social concerns. It is significant that in 1963 the congregation purchased a nine-acre suburban site for the location of a new church, but in the late 60's made a crossroads decision to abandon this plan in favor of remaining a downtown church with social responsibility an important reason for its being.  In this spirit of service, the church has provided meeting space for a wide variety of organizations, some of which were "incubated" under its roof. The Cedar Rapids Women's Club, Children's Home Society and Auxiliary (now Tanager Place), Footlighters (later Cedar Rapids Community Theater and now Theatre Cedar Rapids), Hawkeye Chapter of the Iowa Civil Liberties Union, Iowa Human Rights Coalition, Linn County Cancer Society, Linn County Chapter of the NAACP, and Temple Judah all tie their beginnings to Peoples Church inclusive social outreach. 

During the ministry of Walter Kellison in the ’60's and  ’70's, The Peoples Church and its membership was at the forefront of civil rights and anti-war activities in the community. Donations by interested individuals financed the Reverend Kellison's trip south to participate in the historic "Selma march." Another focal point of advocacy was the use of the building by members of the American Indian Movement during a 1975 Federal Court trial in Cedar Rapids.

The pulpit skills of Judith Urquhart (now Judith Walker-Riggs) and the social action involvement of Jeremy Brigham continued the Peoples Church tradition of leadership in community affairs. During this time the church served as meeting place for Metropolitan Community Church, Symphony Suzuki School, and as a commodity distribution site.  The Inter-Religious Council of Linn County was formed at this time, with six of twenty-four founding members coming from Peoples.  

In 1994, Dr. Linda Hansen was called as minister. Noted for her finely crafted sermons and exceptional "people skills," the Reverend Hansen helped the congregation to heal and enter a new period of vigor and purpose.  Linda also helped strengthen ties to other religious organizations in the community. A new generation of leadership within the church grew as new members joined and a number of people who had grown up in the congregation returned with their children.  Members participated in the two-year "Decisions for Growth" program sponsored by the UUA.  That led to specific actions to promote the "caring congregation" and to address internal organizational needs. Covenant groups were formed to bring an additional level of personal connection among members.  The church became a Welcoming Congregation in 1996 and church members and youth were involved in supporting a change to add sexual orientation to the city's Civil Rights Ordinance. 

Expansion of the position of Director of Religious Education occurred when long-time Director of Religious Education, Rosie Rimrodt, completed a degree at Meadville-Lombard and left to serve another church.  With a generous initial gift from a church family, in 2000 the congregation voted to make the position of Director of Religious Education full-time.  Martie Olson was hired, and began work in the 2001-2002 church year.  During this time, a summer camp program was started and work toward development of a lifespan learning approach.

Reverend Linda Hansen left Peoples Church in the summer of 2003 to become minister at the UU Congregation of Danbury, Connecticut.  Reverend Frederick T. Koyle became minister in 2004.  His ministry saw many new members,  an increase in covenant groups, and the establishment of a Worship Associates program.  Lisa Randolph also joined the staff as the new Director of Religious Education in 2004, and the position returned to part- time with a renewed emphasis on developing age appropriate activities for a growing number of children.  An expanded Coming of Age program for middle school students culminated in a successful Boston Heritage Trip.   A new Workshop Rotation format for RE classes will begin in fall 2006 to involve students of all ages and learning styles. 

The ministry of Rick Koyle ended in June 2006, and the Rev. Marlene Walker will be serving as interim minister for a two year period.  During that time, we will be looking together at our hopes and dreams, examining our assets and shortcomings, and planning for future needs.  This assessment will help us find the best way to fulfill the church's mission in the community.

Although name changes and periodic reverses have punctuated the long history of the congregation, Peoples remains a centerpiece for liberal religious thought, supporting social action and nurturing the creative energies of its members and of the community. As our mission statement succinctly states, "We encourage the questioning mind, nurture spiritual growth, and promote justice and caring among our members and in the wider world."  Peoples Church now stands poised to carry those values into the century ahead.