Quakers arrived at the Jefferson County town of Pleasant Plain in the 1930s, with the first meetings held in a modest log cabin. A larger building was constructed in 1850, with significant additions constructed around 1890. A few years later, a bell from the Presbyterian Church was given and in turn, the belfry was added. The church continues to operate today, with services held Sundays at 10:30.
The First Baptist Church in the Fayette County seat of West Union was organized by 11 people on October 23, 1852. Services were held in homes and an old log schoolhouse until 1853, when a small standalone church facility was constructed. The present building was completed in 1867.
In 1876, Bill Ryan deeded four acres of land in rural Polk County for a Catholic church and cemetery. The first wood frame church was constructed shortly after, with the name Holy Cross chosen in honor of Ryan’s childhood parish in Ireland. The original church burned to the ground on October 22, 1927. Though the church hierarchy did not plan to rebuild Holy Cross, the congregation came together to lead the reconstruction effort.
The current brick structure was designed by Des Moines-based architect John Normille. He based his design on village churches he had seen overseas; in fact, the spire, the entrance, the beamed ceiling, and the roof trusses in the nave are all from Europe, while the altar was shipped from Ireland. The church building was dedicated in 1929.
As the first settler of the Palo Alto hamlet south of the Jasper County seat of Newton, Mr. Thomas Rees had long envisioned a church building near the local cemetery. He didn’t live to see his dream, but his wife purchased a piece of property across from the cemetery and donated it to a group planning to construct a United Presbyterian Church between Newton and Reasnor. Construction began on February 14, 1870; the church was finished, furnished, and dedicated by the end of the year.
The interior was remodeled when a new organ was installed in 1890. The church continued regular services until 1921, when the members disbanded and mostly transferred to the United Presbyterian Church in Newton. Though rarely used today, the church continues to be maintained by trustees elected annually by the Newton congregation.
In the late 1840s, settlers in the Jackson County community of St. Donatus purchased 40 acres of land from the government at $1.25 an acre for a new Catholic church. A log frame church was constructed on the site in 1848, with a larger frame church constructed three years later. The first version of the present church was completed in 1860 but destroyed by fire in 1907. Stone was salvaged from the fire, with the church opening one year later from recycled materials.
Masses are held alternating Sunday mornings with St. Catherine Catholic Church in Dubuque.