A contract to build the church
with a capacity for 300 people and a 165-foot spire was awarded to Eli Cox who
sublet the brick work to T. F. Mardis and the stone work to Henry Smith. The
contract amount was for $11,000, however the completed construction cost was
$14,000. Three rose windows were installed in the east, west and south gables
and these beautiful windows exist today. Mr. Mardis, a member of the First
Presbyterian Church, was a prominent brick mason and contractor who erected many
of the business and fine residences in Winterset. Eli Cox was also a noted
contractor who built some of the early bridges in the county. His son, George,
continued the bridge building tradition of his father. The first worship
services were held in the new church on September 21. 1876. Reverend Potter's
leadership also led to a greater interest in missionary work in Southeast Asia.
One of his classmates, Jonathan Wilson, was a missionary in Siam and the Sunday
School established a special project called the "Jonathan Fund" to
financially support his missionary work. The fund was maintained for several
years. Another interesting characteristic of the congregation at this time was
the unusually large number of Civil War veterans that were members of the
church. Twenty-seven men of the congregation were listed as veterans including
Henry J. B. Cummings of the 39th Iowa Infantry; T. C. Gilpin, Company E of the
3rd Iowa Calvary; John S. Goshorn, Company E 47th Iowa Infantry; Miller R.
Tidrick, Company G. 3rd Iowa Volunteer Infantry and Herman A. Kinsman, 93rd
Illinois Volunteer Infantry.
With the continued growth of the
church, the congregation again voted to approve a building project in August
1885. This project entailed constructing an addition to the southwest corner of
the main building. A chapel, classrooms and kitchen were included in the
project. The contract was again awarded to Mr. Mardis at a cost of $1,100. An
"elegant" manse was subsequently built on the church property in 1890
at a cost of $2,800. Reverend H. C. Herring who became the pastor in early 1890
was the first minister to occupy the new manse. Of interest, he, along with Mr.
Gilpin, were instrumental in establishing the Winterset Public Library.
In 1907, Reverend J. S. Corkey
became the minister following Reverends B. E. S. Ely, W. H. P. McDonald and R.
R. Marquis.
A second major addition to the
church was completed in 1909. This renovation added a north addition to the
church which included a balcony that expanded the seating capacity of the
sanctuary. Additional classrooms were also added. New memorial stained glass
windows were installed in the sanctuary during this construction project,
including a large west window that was a gift to the church from Reverend
Potter's son.