Methodist Chapel
On this site a Methodist Chapel was constructed in 1834.
As the first church in Iowa, it served not only as a place of worship but as a community center in an early spirit of civic concern, ecumenism and racial integration. At various times the 20 x 26 foot building was used as a pioneer schoolhouse. For a time it served as the first courthouse in Dubuque.
The meeting that adopted the resolution to incorporate the town of Dubuque was held here on March 25, 1837. The church was concerned to serve as a meeting place, as well as for worship, for people of all faiths and national origins. One of its charter members was a black woman.
The original building was replaced in 1839 when the Methodist congregation build a new church one block north of this site that was called Centenary Methodist Church. As the village grew in numbers other denominations built churches also, so that out of these modest and humble beginnings and spirit of vision, this mission church played a key role and helped set the course for the development of a robust city.
Marker is at the intersection of Locust Street and Sixth Street, on the left when traveling north on Locust Street.
Courtesy hmdb.org
