Our Founding
Download: Tri-Fold Download Full Page Dowload
Humble Beginnings
The year was 1856 when Jesse W. Denison moved to Southwest Iowa and settled in what is now the City of Denison, in Crawford County, Iowa. Jesse moved to this area as a Land agent. His goal, a new settlement that could be formed into a enterprising city and county.
In his 1st year after coming to this area, Jesse helped establish a simple schoolhouse for the children. This schoolhouse served the community in multiple ways: 1) a school for the children, 2) a community meeting hall, and 3) as a house of worship for the newly formed Baptist Church. Later the Methodist Church was invited to share in the use of the schoolhouse for their worship services. This small schoolhouse was later was torn down and a new building was erected which became known as the McHenry house. Today this home is beautifully restored and walking tours of the McHenry House area available.
Growth & Change
A New Church Founded
Because of Jesse W. Denison’s deep concern for the peoples’ spiritual lives, Jesse helped establish an evangelical church where people could worship God, grow in their spiritual maturity with God and have fellowship one with another. In 1857, one year after moving into Denison, the 1st organized Church in Crawford County was firmly established. This new church was called the “First Regular Baptist Church” of Denison. This name was later changed to “First Baptist Church” then to “Denison Baptist Church”.
A New Sanctuary
In 1868 this new community built a small but adequate Sanctuary on Main Street and then moved it to the present location, 31 S. 14th Street.
Up from the Ashes
In 1886, 18 years later, this building was destroyed by fire. This new congregation was strong and resilient. In 1887, one year after the devastating fire, the congregation, with great determination and fortitude, completed a new, larger Sanctuary that is in use today.
Renovation and Expansion
Connecting, one with another, is one of the integral aspects of any church. Therefore in the early 1920’s, work began to excavate a basement below the sanctuary that would provide a kitchen, a fellowship hall and restrooms. The basement was excavated without moving the sanctuary by using horse-drawn scrapers and hand shovels. This labor-intensive project was completed in 1925.
As the Church grew and new ministries were added, the need for additional space was realized. In 1960 a new building was erected, adding new classrooms, a nursery for infants, an area for toddlers, upstairs bathrooms, office spaces for both the secretary and the Pastor, a basement with a more modern kitchen and a new multipurpose area. In 1990 an entryway was built to connect the Sanctuary and the educational wing together. This new addition allows allow for easy access from the main floor to both basements, via a new stairwell.
In 2011 we began the important mission of restoring Denison Baptist Church, seeking to preserve its majestic elegance with its colorful and stately stained glass windows.
* We welcome all who wish to join us in this effort. All contributions should be made out to Denison Baptist Church and sent to: 31 South 14th Street Denison, IA. 51442.
A Community Church
Today Denison Baptist Church is continuing on with the foundational principles of Jesse W. Denison’s vision for this Church, a church of the community and for the community. Therefore with this purpose, Denison Baptist is a Multi-Ethnic, Multi-Lingual Church with an attendance ethnicity of Caucasians, Hispanics, Africans, and Asians that are living in our local community. Our services are being translated simultaneous into Spanish during our morning service. A mid-week Bible Study in Spanish is also available. For those who are challenged with the English language, we also offer ESL Classes.
* Tours are available upon request.
The Church is actively being used:
Worship Service:
Sunday 10:15 A.M.
Denison Baptist Church
A Multi-Ethnic, Multi-Lingual Church
Our Purpose: “To Love God Totally & Love our Neighbor Equally”.
Pastor Marc Wallace
31 South 14th Street Denison, IA. 51442
Phone: 712-263-4461
Tuesday, June 28, 2011 at 12:20PM