1870 - Ms. Hattie Phillips and Mrs. G.C. Coates formed Union Sunday School.

July 7, 1872 - First Congregational Church was organized.

July 28, 1872 - First worship service was held at the Barracks (Fort Dakota closed in 1869.) “The Reverend Dr. J.E. Roy of the American Home Missionary Society preached the first sermon to the small new congregation. Inez C. Van Eps directed the hymn singing. Lottie Ledyard’s portable organ was carried to the barracks, and she provided organ music for the service. Pews were simple wooden benches, the floor was dirt, and the preacher’s pulpit was a wooden box covered with draperies.”

1872-73 - Rev. J.A. Palmer was first pastor. Services held every other Sunday, as he served here and in Canton, traveling to and from by horseback.

Nov 1873 - Services moved to Allen’s Hall (northeast corner of 8th & Phillips Ave), where “Members for the fist time enjoyed the comfort of chairs and 'many other proper conveniences." Edwin A Sherman was Sunday School superintendent.

Sept 11, 1879 - First service was held in the newly constructed, plain brown clapboard building, “fondly referred to as God’s Barn.”

Nov 19, 1889 - Susan B. Anthony presented an evening lecture in the church.

1905-06 - Under the leadership of Frank Fox, drive for a new church building began, with the slogan, “Let us rise up and build.” Sister of a charter member, Artemus Gale, was Ms. Helen McKennan. She included First Congregational Church in her will, leaving $500 and a quarter section of land, which was sold for $5,000 and directed toward purchase of a new site and new church building.

Oct 5, 1907 - Cornerstone of current building was laid. Stone for the building was cut from the Rowena quarry because they like the color of that stone better.

1922 - Celebration of 50th anniversary. New pipe organ purchased, with a grant from the Andrew Carnegie Foundation.

Feb 2, 1931 - Church fire damaged roof and front of sanctuary, destroyed many early church records.

1935 - Sioux Falls German Congregational Church merged with First Congregational.

1956 - First Lutheran Church offered to buy our property - Vote to sell lost: 89-89.

June 2, 1957 - Dedication of Education Wing.

1958 - Members of First Congregational helped to form new church: Crestwood Community Church (33rd & Cliff Ave). Now, Spirit of Peace UCC at 72nd & Cliff Ave.

1985 - First Congregational Church was placed on the National Register of Historic Buildings.

February 4, 1996 - Dedication of new wing connected to west of original building.

January 2008 - Completed renovation of Sanctuary and installation of new Bedient pipe organ.

Summer 2008 - Exterior of Education Wing renovated with matching quartzite stone.

Jan 11, 1961 - First Congregational approved the UCC Constitution and merger.

First Congregational Church remains an innovative and inclusive community with lifelong members and new visitors every week. FCC strives to extravagantly welcome all who come through our doors!