Oakhill Jackson in Cedar Rapids in Linn County, Iowa — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
First Presbyterian Church
History Happened Here!
First Presbyterian, the second church to be established in Cedar Rapids, built its first church in 1850-1851 at 2nd Ave SE and 3rd Street SE. This, the second building, is the oldest intact church still in use in Cedar Rapids. Built in 1867-1869, it was designed in the Gothic Revival style by L.B. Dixon and faced with a type of rough-cut limestone from a quarry in Stone City, Iowa. A chapel was added to the south in 1876. Cedar Rapids architects Josselyn and Taylor enlarged the chapel in 1886 which was replaced with another building in 1917. The stone corner tower was added in 1897. The 1917 chapel was replaced with an addition faced with the same stone as the original church, designed by Brown, Healey, and Bock, in 1961-1962.
Erected by Cedar Rapids Historic Preservation Commission; and The History Center.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Churches & Religion. A significant historical year for this entry is 1867.
Location. 41° 58.723′ N, 91° 39.813′ W. Marker is in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in Linn County. It is in Oakhill Jackson. Marker is on 5th Street Southeast just south of 3rd Avenue Southeast, on the right when traveling south. Marker is located along the sidewalk near the northeast corner of Greene Square, overlooking the subject church directly across 5th Street Southeast. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 310 5th Street Southeast, Cedar Rapids IA 52401, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. George Greene (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Washington High School (about 300 feet away); Iowa Building (approx. 0.2 miles away); George B. Douglas House (approx. ¼ mile away); Roosevelt Hotel (approx. ¼ mile away); Ausadie Apartment Building (approx. 0.3 miles away); Virgil Powell / King Building Police Station (approx. half a mile away); Coe College (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cedar Rapids.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. History Happened Here!
Also see . . . First Presbyterian Church History.
Has been in continuous operation since July of 1847, initially at the intersection of what is now Second Avenue and Third Street SE. That edifice, named “Old Muddy,” due to its crushed stone and grout walls, measured 26 x 40 feet, at an eventual cost of approximately $900. In May of 1867 work began on a new structure, located at the present location, erected at a cost of $27,000. On a cold morning in February 1869, the building was dedicated. First Presbyterian’s ministry has continued unabated through the Civil War, two worldwide wars, numerous other conflicts, The Great Depression, several economic downturns, fires, floods and other natural calamities.(Submitted on February 19, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 20, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 18, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 80 times since then and 5 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 19, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.