Bentonsport Presbyterian: An Iowa treasure

A brief new video slideshow this morning of what remains my favorite Iowa church building, Old Presbyterian at Bentonsport in Van Buren County.

The structure's story is well known among Iowa preservationists. Built in 1855 by a congregation founded during 1853, it flourished along with the Des Moines River village of Bentonsport until after the Civil War. During those years, the dream was that a series of locks and dams would turn the river into a reliably navigable transportation route linking the Mississippi River and what then was known as Fort Des Moines.

The coming of the railroad spoiled all of that, plans to corral the river were scrapped (until a century later) and Bentonsport faded.

Many fine brick buildings survived, however, some built by skilled Mormon refugees, brick and stone masons from Nauvoo, who found work here while working their way west to the valley of the Great Salt Lake.

A diminished congregation eventually closed the church and disrepair and decay set in. But then about a century after its founding, preservationists re-discovered Bentonsport and its gradual renaissance commenced. By the close of the 20th century, the church had been fully restored and now, owned by the Bentonsport Improvement Association, it is open daily to all during the milder months of the year. These images were taken during 2010.