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Since the late 1800s, the property at the corner of 19th
and Crocker has been home to several churches from several
different denominations. Although differences exist between
the Methodist, Foursquare, Open Bible and Kingsway churches,
every church that has owned this property had an emphasis
on the Holy Spirit, training and educating ministry leaders,
and reaching the nations with the Gospel through world missions.
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| Grace Methodist Episcopal
Church first purchased the property at the corner of 19th
and Crocker in 1883. The cathedral itself wasn’t constructed
until 1902, replacing the first church built on the grounds.
Architects Proudfoot and Bird designed the magnificent structure.
Just ten years after its dedication, church membership had
grown to over 1,000 people and the yearly missions budget
exceeded $1,300. In 1917, a fire destroyed the steeples and
the roof of the building. Due to war conditions, building
supplies were scarce and expensive, so the congregation decided
to build a temporary roof until further repairs could be made. |
Grace Church moved from 19th and Crocker in 1927, selling
the cathedral to the Foursquare Gospel Lighthouse. After Aimee
Semple McPherson conducted powerful evangelistic and healing
meetings in Des Moines in 1927 and 1928, the church experienced
explosive growth and revival, with satellite churches branching
out across the region. |
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In 1932, Rev. John Richey acquired the building and, along
with a large group of ministers from across the Midwest, formed
the Open Bible Evangelistic Association. Just like Grace Methodist
and the Foursquare Lighthouse, the new church had a strong
emphasis on evangelism, the Holy Spirit and training leaders
through a Bible school. Later, they would merge with the Bible
Standard Churches to form what is now known as the Open Bible
Standard denomination. |
Kingsway Cathedral and Bible School took over the property
in 1967 and called it home for many years. Since 2003, the
building has remained empty and has suffered considerable
damage. KLM International plans to restore the church to its
original, 1902 design, including the steeples that once towered
above the roof line. Kirk Blunck and Jeff Wagner of HLKB |
| Architecture will be leading the
restoration. Not only are plans in place to restore the structure
itself, but KLM International intends to maintain the original
vision and intention of the property as a church with a focus
on the Holy Spirit, training ministry leaders and reaching
the nations of the world with the Gospel. In addition to serving
as the mother church for Life Church International, The Kathedral,
as it will be called, will host missions conferences and regional
events. |
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