Share Our World: First Congregational Church in Waterloo, Iowa
This beautiful church is where my mother's parents got married 87 years ago. It is the First Congregational Church in Waterloo, Iowa.
My grandparents were married on April 22, 1939 at noon. This picture was taken on April 22, 2026 at 11:39am. I planned my trip so I could be there exactly 87 years to the day.
I got a Bed and Breakfast close by and so passed the church each day I was in Waterloo.
I was in Iowa doing research for a book I am writing about their honeymoon trip.
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This picture is from my grandparents wedding day coming out the same doors!
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On April 22nd I was able to go inside and see the beautiful stained glass windows with the afternoon light coming through.
Views of the stained glass from the outside and inside.
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The beautiful inside. The stained glass was beautiful and there is a balcony. The church I go to doesn't have a balcony so that was a fun treat.
The people at the church were very nice and happy to show me around. There is a day care that uses the church and a parking lot where my grandmas house used to be. One of the things I found most interesting is that my grandma lived right next to the church and there is a park across the street and my grandpa lived across the park and they didn't meet until two years before they were married.
Here is a picture of me sitting in Washington park with my grandpa's house behind me facing the church.
I really enjoyed going to the city of my ancestors and learning about them and going where they went and seeing what they saw. It was a special trip.
[//]:# (!worldmappin 42.491982 lat -92.344023 long First congregational church d3scr)d
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Omg, your grandparents must have had such a beautiful wedding! That church looks like being part of a fairy tale!
Hi Gabriela. So great to hear from you. It was so fun to see and walk through the church and imagine their wedding.
What a well-planned and meaningful trip it was. Besides the trip plan, it also shows how emotionally connected and respectful you are to your mother's parents. Bringing out those old wedding photos was a very thoughtful touch. Congratulations!
Thank you @passenger777. It was a very special trip.
What a stunning piece of architecture The brickwork and the beautiful round glass window in the center give this church such a classic timeless look Your photography framed the building perfectly with those green trees on the sides. It really feels like a peaceful place with a lot of history behind it Thanks for sharing this beautiful spot from Waterloo with us 📸 ✨
Hi @animenexus. Thanks for your comment. I had such a great trip and lots of posts to share of Waterloo.
That's awesome I'm really looking forward to seeing more of your Waterloo posts. Keep sharing 📸✨
Wow! 87 years ago! Did the church still have document of your grandparents wedding Sara?
Hi Pauline. I don't know. I didn't ask. I have their wedding certificate so I didn't even think to ask. We did pass a book, in a hall, of the people that were members of the church who had died and the guy taking me on the tour helped me look through that. It didn't go back to the 1930s.