Our Presbyterian beginnings here in Hartford area were with those first few men in 1846 and many others in 1848, whom came up along the Des Moines River.  They climbed the bluff and looked to the south at the land that lay before them with its many groves and timbers of trees, the flowing creeks, the lush grasses and the wild life abounding.  Here was the ideal place for their future homes and a place to worship God, each in their own free way. 

These few laid claim to a parcel of land and started building crude shelters to live in while more substantial homes could be raised later.  In these few early years families would gather in one of their crude homes or under a shade tree to sing praise and worship God. 

Stopping to encourage the Presbyterians was one Rev. Thompson Bird of Ft. Des Moines.  Rev. Bird was the Missionary preacher appointed by the Presbytery to this area extending from the southern boundary to the state north of Cedar Rapids and west to Ft. Des Moines.  The home of Boston I. Taylor was one we have record of where he stopped sometimes. 

When the Village of Hartford was laid out and named by John D. Hartman in 1849, the Methodist Episcopal Circuit established its headquarters here with the Minister caring for the little churches as far away as Madison and Polk counties.  They built a small a small building on the north side of Wall Street and invited all religious groups to use their building. 

This was called the Three Rivers Mission and George Washington Teas was the head of that circuit.  In 1850, a greater rush of settlers came, many stopping at Hartford, and still many more going on to other villages, or even up the Oregon Trail to far West.  The rough tracks made by these moving settlers were called roads.  The moving of so many individuals, families, and whole communities from eastern states soon made these roads clearly, solid marked. 

The Presbyterians met in the Methodist building until 1862.  At this time Rev. Hughes of Des Moines was Moderator at a meeting and organized them into a firmer group. 

They chose the name “The First Presbyterian Church of Hartford”.  Members at this time were:  Mr. & Mrs. Boston Taylor, Mr. & Mrs. William Tidball, Mr. And Mrs. John Park, Mr. & Mrs. T. O. Matthews, Mr. & Mrs. Lyle Kerr, Miss Serissa Kerr, and Mr. & Mrs. William Cochran. 

Other members who were found by examination and by certificates at a later time were: Mr. & Mrs. James McIntyre, Mr. & Mrs. William Cart, Mr. & Mrs. Samuel Moore, Nancy Tidball and Mr. & Mrs. Philip Layner. 

The first regular minister serving them was Rev. William Candlish serving 1866 and 1867.  Elders at this time were: Taylor, Cochran, Kerr, and Marshall.  Deacons were: T. O. Matthews, John Park, James McIntyre.

The Presbyterian reported 24 members at this time.  (Iowa Synod History of Presbyterian Churches of Iowa owned by Joan Schooler.) 

The statistics for the years 1861 through 1870 show there were 70 members. 

A petition for the membership into the Presbytery was signed and presented at the meeting in Pella in 1864. 

The Presbyterian Judiciary System is: 

The Session: Men and women elected by the congregation.  They are ordained, and with the ruling Elders and the Pastor, direct the life of their of their particular church.  The Presbytery is a balance of Ruling Elders and Clergy. 

The Synod: Lay people and Clergy Commissioned from each Presbytery.  They carry out the decisions and policies, and see what they day to day work of the judicatory gets done. 

The General Assembly is made up of an equal number of lay and clergy commissioners who are elected by the Presbyteries.  They meet annually to make decisions and set directions and establish policy. 

In 1868 Rev. S. Johnson was the second pastor. 

It was during that year that 6 lots were purchased for the building of a church.  They lay along the north side of Paint St. between Vine & Washington St.  James D. McIntyre gave the Trustees a 7^th lot, located centrally between the others, to be used for building a church on. 

The year of 1869 was a busy year planning and erecting a place of worship. 

The building was located in about the middle of the land purchased and facing west.  The pulpit and pews were of black walnut timbers supplied by Nathaniel Corzatt, a local cabinet and coffin maker.  Several of those pews and the pulpit are still being used in our present building. 

The building was simply built but solidly with a rectangular shape, having a small square bell tower on the front.  The lumber was hauled to the building site by James McIntrye, John Park, Orval Kerr, and Orval’s father.  It was hauled across South River during flood stage.  There were 2 large black wood burning stoves for the cold weather-one stood on the north side and the other on the south side and of the room.  The pews were lined in an orderly fashion facing the east through the center of the room.  In the front was an area large enough for a dozen or so chairs here and there, also stood a small pulpit. 

Rev. David Craig was pastor from 1869 to 1900.  The church had a considerable increase in membership in the fall of 1899.  A congregational meeting was called to be held on Feb. 17,1900.  At the meeting, the church was reorganized and new officers were elected as follows: Elders, W. R. McElroy, T. J. Pyle, and Frank Smith: Trustees: W.H. Morris, J. C. Richards and T. J. Pyle.   T. O. Matthews continued as deacon, which office he had held for many years.  W. B. Schooler was an added elder sometimes before 1903. 

Rev. Richard Spenagle (Stanton), was a supply pastor for 1900 to 1903.  The following was found on a sheet of tablet paper written by Rev. Spenangle: Received into Hartford Presbyterian Church: James Pyle, age 73, Jessie Pendry, age 16, Phoebe Smith, Josephine Sever, Mrs. Kate Ray, Alex Pendry, Mrs. Fannie Sever, and Homer Smith.  Funerals: Mrs. Mathas, Wm. H. Morris, Angeline Smith, Rev. David Craig, James E. Pyle, Mrs. MeIntyre, Edna Kerr, and Jack Wilson. 

The fifth minister was Rev. L. O. Sutherland from 1903 to 1905.  In October 1904, Reynolds McElroy and Allie Bagley served on a committee for building a new Manse for the church.  Walk McElroy and B. E. Bruce hauled materials for the new house, which was located east of the church on the corner of Washington and East Paint Street.  Rev. Sutherland’s family was the first family to live in the new Manse. 

Rev. H. W. Ewart was the next pastor serving from 1905 to 1907.  Rev. William Henry Kelly was the seventh past from 1907 to 1910.  The Membership was one hundred.  Sunday school had an enrollment of seventy members, the Ladies Industrial Society fifty, and the Junior Endeavor Society twenty. 

This had long been recognized as an influential and prosperous church.  (Taken from the 1908 History of Warren County, Iowa) 

The pulpit supplied by different ministers until 1912 when Rev. A. G. Beecham served until 1914, with elders W. B. Schooler, W. R. McElroy, R. W. McElroy, T. J. Pyle, and D. E. Bruce. 

The fall of 1913 showed the evangelistic spirit starting with great enthusiasm.  The Presbyterian sent Rev. Horance Bethel as representative to conduct co-operated with this meeting.  The Des Moines Globe gave the news of out town at the time, saying that:  “The religion excitement at Hartford is gaining in fury.  The Material for an old fashioned revival at this place is inexhaustible.” 

In the years just preceding this one: old resident members that each religious group stood strong for the “Belief” the held.  He even remembers several resulting “fisticuffs” as different ones defended their belief. 

The result of the Revival meeting held in the Fall of 1913 led the leaders at that time to try and organize ONE church for our town.  They even got so far as to draw up “Articles of Federation” for this purpose.  During this time, the Presbyterians joined with the other religious sects in planning for one church in Hartford. 

About 1915 the Presbytery built a “Billy Sunday” type tabernacle at Reynolds and Elm Streets for evangelistic meetings to be held there. 

Rev. Bethal continued in the effort to establish one church here.  He lead in preaching at the Tabernacle while the Christian Church minister, Rev. Gillespie, led the music.  Many Evangelists came to preach during the year or two of the Tabernacle’s existence.  This movement led to the organization of the Community Church with 165 members. 

Bible study groups met and as they studied our Lord’s word, they hoped to have this Community Church.  But the Presbytery decided against the Presbyterian having a part in the adventure.  So the Christian Church purchased the tabernacle building and continued using it until they could plan a new building. 

In the beginning of the year 1916, the Presbyterians set about raising funds and making plans to build as the old building was in need of much repair.  The congregation numbered about 80.  They appointed the following to serve on the building committee: Rev. H. O. Bethel, who designed the church, W. B. Schooler, and W. R. McElroy.  John Fash was employed as the builder.  They erected a new brick edifice at the cost of $18,000 and dedicated it debt free in December of 1916. 

The following names were taken from the Dedication program:  Elders, W.B. Schooler, Clerk; W. R. McElry, J.D. Hughes, G. D. Schooler, Deacons, S. A. Shetterly, R. W. McElroy, Clark McIntire, Sunday School Supt., G. D. Schooler, President Ladies’ Industrial Society, Mrs. Alex Pendry. 

One of the most interesting things was a perfect circle in the center of the ceiling in the sanctuary.  The circle symbolizes the Unity of Go with us, the Trinity of God.  It was painted blue like the sky with white clouds.  When the ceiling was painted in later years, the sky and clouds were painted over. 

The Victory Outreach, formally named the Clifton Heights Church, and located at 1931 SW First Street in Des Moines was also designed by Rev. Bethel in 1923.  They have since built a new church east of Des Moines close to Easter Lake.  However, this building is still being used today for worship. 

The old building, which stood just in back of the new church was later sold to Rev. H. O. Bethel and moved to it’s new location just north of the school at 620 N. Vine Street and made into a modern home where the Rev. Bethel and his family lived.  Rev. Bethel later built the house at 300 N. Vine. 

Rev. H. O. Bethel served from 1914 and 1915.  The pulpit was supplied during the summer of 1915 by a student, Hugh J. May, and again by Rev. Horace Bethel from July 1916 to July 1921.  

Summer supply for 1921 was Rev. W. H. Thompson.  In November, Rev. C. E. Wilson was pastor until 1923 when Rev. G. E. Chapman of Knoxville and other supply pastors served until September 6, 1925 when Rev. S. J. Huffman came. 

Rev. Sylvester J. Huffman was born Dec. 1, 1869 at Mt. Crawford, Virginia.  He came with his parents and settled in Ogden and later in Scranton, Iowa.  February 6, 1896, he married Cora Bell, who was born May 9, 1876 in Cambridge, Iowa. One of their daughters, Bernice married Myron Dale Shetterly in 1932.  The Shetterly family was one of the first families in the Hartford, Iowa area.  Bernice recently moved to Des Moines to a care center.  Myron passed away February 3, 2001.  Some of their family still attends the same church. 

Rev. Huffman was concerned with the youth in the church and also in the community.  He organized the Boy Scouts and worked with them several years.  The end of December 1930 Rev. Huffman left Hartford and Rev. Wm. Miller of Des Moines served for two years.  The next two years, Rev. L. C. Issley served as pastor. 

In 1934 and 1935 Rev. Bethel returned to the pulpit of the Hartford Presbyterian Church.  He worked in the Presbytery as Superintendent of Church Extension, and later was a “Pastor at Large”.  He kept his home in Hartford until his death in 1950.  In November of 1934, the residents of Hartford joined in a plan, which was spoken of as “A moment in unity,” which could bring together the Community and Presbyterian churches under the name of the Hartford Church.  This was not a third church, but a coalition of the spiritual forces in Hartford, and vicinity in a program of definite action in a common task. (Taken from The Indianola Tribune Nov 28, 1934) 

Rev. W. R. Tuttle served from 1937 to 1940.  He was noted for his activity with the choirs. 

Rev. Gilbert E. Cook came in 1940 to 1953, at which time he asked to be retired.  The church was partially destroyed by fire in December 1945.  The fire was fought with a bucket brigade with water from wells, as Hartford didn’t have a public water system.  The church was repaired and re-dedicated in 1948.  Charred marks can still be found in the attic. 

On September 27, 1951, the manse was partially burned.  It was repaired with a new kitchen added on the north side.  During the repair, Rev. Cook and his family lived in the basement of the church. 

On November 1, 1942, a Hartford Church Homecoming was held.  Morning Worship was at 10:00 A.M.  A basket Dinner and Fellowship followed at noon, and an afternoon service was held at 2:00 P.M. 

Rev. Gilbert Neal Cook was a “friend in need”.  Even though it was necessary for him to purchase a tractor so he night farm 111 acres to supplement his salary, he did many favors for the people in his care.  He did chores for one who was ill for a month, helped fill silos, haul furniture of those moving, take patients to doctors and dentists in Des Moines, plow snow of driveways, and many other things.  He never would take money for these favors; but much to his protest, he received surprise gifts from them, like new tires put on his car, while it was being serviced at a garage, an armchair delivered to his home, a new bumper installed on his tractor when it was in the shop for repairs, etc.  His congregation regarded him as a personal friend to all as well as their pastor. 

The next several years, student pastors served: 1954, Kenneth Lester, 1954 to 1957, Marvin Miller, 1957-1959 Wm. Hanson, and 1959-1960, Hugh Ghormley, Wm. Hansen organized the Youth Fellowship and the Mariners’ with the following charter members: Charles and Roberta Spurgin, Dale and Maxine Pendry, Delmar, and Lois Coon, Russell and Vadis Isley and others. 

In 1959, a Negotiating Committee with Rev. Ed Essler as moderator was appointed to plan consolidation of the Community Church.  The resolution submitted was accepted at the Congregational meeting January 4, 1960.  The Presbyterian Church had 127 members and the community Church had 135 members.  The new name for the united churches under the Presbyterian government, was Community United Presbyterian Church of Hartford. 

Rev. Nadium Saikaly came to serve as pastor of the newly formed church in 1960.  He resigned in August 1964. 

The next minister was Rev. Donald Freeman who moved to Hartford in October 1964.  He retired in 1969.  He was the last pastor to live in the manse.  After Rev. Freeman retired the manse was rented for a few years before it was torn down.  He lived in Hartford for many years until his health began to fail.  At this time, he and his wife, Louise, moved to Des Moines. 

Clifton Height’s Presbyterian Church in Des Moines and the Hartford church shared Rev. George mason.  He was installed in Hartford November 2, 1969.  During the next few years, many changes took place around the church.  The church was remodeled including new doors were put on the front of the building, a new piano, the heating system, upgraded and new sidewalks on the south side of the church. 

Rev. George Mason retired in 1985 after many years of faithful service. 

Rev. Gayle Miller was our Interim Pastor until 1987. 

In August 1987, Hartford was blessed with Pastor Tom (Theron) Convey, Jr. his wife, Sue and son, Theron, Jr. moved to town.  Pastor Tom, whom is known by all, has guided us in worship for the past twelve and a half years.  He started the LOGAS programs for the youth.  It has grown each year.  In the spring of 1998, a new two-story addition was started.  It was completed in the summer of 1999.  This has many classrooms and the Pastor’s study.  The lower level connecting with Fellowship Hall doubled the available space for use by the church and surrounding community of Hartford. 

Pastor Tom was actively involved with the Hartford Boy Scouts for eight years and served as an EMT and firefighter on the Hartford Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department for 10 years. 

In September 2000, the bell from the old church was refurbished and placed on the south side of the front door with a cross above it. 

In February of 2001, after 14 years as pastor at Community United Presbyterian Church, Pastor Tom resigned as Pastor in Hartford and became the Pastor at First Presbyterian Church, Perry, Iowa. 

In December of 2003 the Community United Presbyterian Church called Rev. Barbara Tooker Todd to become the full time pastor.

In July of 2005 Rev. Barbara Tooker Todd resigned.

In November of 2005, Rev. Richard Harbart was hired as our Interim Pastor.

In July 2007, Reve Nathan Lamb became the full time pastor.

Much of this information was taken from the late Mary McCaughey’s collection.  This article was written by Ruth Rawson and Caroline McNamar and completed during the spring of the year 2001.