“During the summer of 1853, Rev. Mr. Fuller of the Unitarian Church of Quincy, Ill., made occasional visits to Keokuk, the result of which was a meeting held October 4, 1853, in the schoolrooms on Third street, between Main and Johnson, to organize a “liberal church, on a plan similar to the Unitarian Churches of this country.”"

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“…Upon the recommendation of Rev. Fuller, an invitation was extended to Rev. Leonard Whitney, of Illinois, to spend a few Sabbaths at Keokuk, and, as a result, he was employed as Pastor for one year, dating from October 1, 1853.”

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“'The First Unitarian Society of Keokuk' was incorporated November 22, 1853, holding services regularly in Concert Hall, on Main, between Third and Fourth streets, for about one year, when they removed to a smaller but more convenient room in the rear of Cleghorn & Harrison’s store.”

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“Mr. Whitney remained with the society until March 1, 1861, when he resigned, owing to a division of sentiment in the Church on the subject of slavery.”

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“In 1855, an effort was made to raise $5.000 to purchase a site and erect a church. In September, of that year, 100 feet of ground, on the corner of Fourth and High streets, was purchased of E. H. Harrison, for $2,000, and, under the supervision of J. C. Wykoff, a comfortable brick church was erected, and dedicated “for worship to the One only, God and Father of all,” on November 27, 1856.”

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“…In the fall of 1864, the Church was burdened with a heavy debt. The church-lot has been purchased on ten years’ time, and this sum, with interest then nearly due, was $2,800. To relieve it, Mr. E. H. Harrison, the creditor, generously donated the whole sum to the Church, it in turn deeding to him twenty feet of the unoccupied ground adjoining Mr. Harrison’s residence.”

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“the new house of worship of the First Unitarian Church was completed in the fall of 1874, at a cost of $28,000, and was dedicated November 25. It is tastefully fitted and furnished, the organ alone costing $2,000.”

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–The History of Lee County, Iowa (1879) Western Historical Company