St. Stephen's Episcopal Church (Newton, Iowa)

	St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church
	U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Location	223 E. 4th St., N., Newton, Iowa
Built	1871-1874
Architect	David S. Strover
Architectural style	Carpenter Gothic
NRHP reference No.	77000523
Added to NRHP	September 22, 1977

St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church is a parish church in the Episcopal Diocese of Iowa. The church is located in Newton, Iowa, United States, at 223 E. 4th Street, North. The church building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

History

The parish was formed on December 1, 1867 by the Rev. W.T. Currie from St. Paul’s Church in Durant. Prior to this time worship services were held occasionally in the Jasper County Courthouse. Some of the services were conducted by Iowa’s first bishop, Henry Washington Lee, who encouraged the mission work in Newton.

Property for the church was bought by Thomas Arthur. David S. Strover designed the church and Joseph Stevens was responsible for construction, which began in 1871. The church was completed in 1874, with the exception of the bell tower. The first liturgy was celebrated in the church on April 19, 1874. The building is Carpenter Gothic in design. The stained glass windows are a combination of English, Victorian, and Arts-and-Crafts. It is the oldest church in continual use for worship in both Newton and Jasper County.^[2]

Parish Life

Services are held each Sunday at 8 AM and 10 AM. Normally the 8 AM service is a quiet Holy Eucharist, Rite I; and the 10 AM service is a Holy Eucharist, Rite II, with music and choir and coffee hour following. Sunday School is offered for Adults and children ages 10-15 at 9 AM, and for children ages 5-10 during the 10 AM service. Nursery care is also available during the 10 AM service. The service schedule occasionally changes for special events and seasonal feasts.

A service of Evening Prayer is offered every Wednesday, normally beginning at 5:15 PM.

The church phone number is (641) 792-6971. A website is undergoing renovations.

The Rev. John Thorpe has been serving as full-time Rector of the parish since 2008. Previous Rectors include the Rev. Kathleen Bascom (2001-2006), the Rev. William Ortt (1989-1999), and the Rev. Frederick "Fritz" Kramer (1966-1988).

Average Sunday Attendance at St. Stephen's has fluctuated between 45 and 75 since the 1980's.

St. Stephen's normally offers a concert series to the Newton community in the Summer. Recent events include "Jazz in July" and "Bluegrass, Pie, and Ice Cream in the Courtyard." Artists featured include Highway Home Bluegrass band, the St. Stephen's Jazz trio, and other Gospel and Bluegrass artists and local musicians.

The parish is known for its Christmas and Easter services which feature traditional liturgies, candle-light services, and musicians from both the Newton and Des Moines areas. Services have also been offered to the public in honor of Veterans' Day and other civic occasions.

St. Stephen's hosts a number of Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, and 12-step groups. The parish is active with Kids Against Hunger of Jasper County, the local Animal Rescue League, the Heifer Project, and other outreach initiatives.

References

^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. August 6, 2009.
^ "History". St. Stephen’s Church. Retrieved 2010-08-06.

External links

[nris-1] "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. August 6, 2009.

[2] "History". St. Stephen’s Church. Retrieved 2010-08-06.

[1]

[2]

v t e Episcopal Diocese of Iowa
Bishops	Henry Washington Lee William Stevens Perry Theodore Nevin Morrison Harry Sherman Longley Elwood Lindsay Haines Gordon V. Smith Walter Cameron Righter C. Christopher Epting Alan Scarfe Betsey Monnot
Cathedrals	Cathedral Church of Saint Paul, Des Moines Trinity Cathedral, Davenport
Churches	Christ Church, Burlington Church of the Saviour, Clermont St. John's Church, Dubuque St. Paul's Church, Durant St. Luke's Church, Fort Madison St. Paul's Church, Harlan Trinity Church, Iowa City St. Matthew's by the Bridge, Iowa Falls St. John's Church, Keokuk St. George's Church, Le Mars Trinity Memorial, Mapleton St. Barnabas Church, Montrose Trinity Church, Muscatine St. Stephen's Church, Newton St. James Church, Oskaloosa Trinity Church, Ottumwa St. Thomas Church, Sioux City St. Andrew's Church, Waverly
Former institutions	Clarissa Cook Home for the Friendless, Davenport St. Katharine's School, Davenport St. Luke's Hospital, Davenport

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