Universalist Church

Universalist Church. This church was built by Thomas Mitchell. Thomas Mitchell was born in New Hampshire in 1816. he came to Iowa Territory in 1840, and in 1844 became the first white settler of Polk County. He built cabins and later inns to feed and shelter the hundreds of people going west. He defended the American Indians and during the Civil War hid run-away slaves., In 1856 Mr. Mitchell founded Mitchellville. He donated land for the wide streets, the city park, and the cemetery. Later he gave land and money for a seminary for young women so they could receive advanced education., Mr. Mitchell gave the land and money for this church. He felt that education and religion had a calming influence on the frontier so he encouraged all denominations to meet here until their buildings could be built., He was the first sheriff of Polk County; served six years as Polk County Commissioner, was elected to the General Assembly in 1875 and to the Iowa Senate in 1878., Mr. Mitchell was so well respected and loved that when he died in 1894 a special train came from Des Moines and 1,000 people attended his funeral. He is buried in the cemetery that he gave to this town., For Further Information call: 967-2935