Methodist Church Site

The Methodist Church in West Branch as photographed in 1915

National Park Service

Quick Facts

Location:

West Branch, Iowa

Significance:

Part of Herbert Hoover National Historic Site

OPEN TO PUBLIC:

No

When Herbert Hoover was growing up, a Methodist Church, built in 1870, occupied the lot where C.E. Smith’s house now stands. A towering three-story steeple impressively pointed to the heavens, and it’s likely the Hoover household heard its ringing bell on Sunday mornings. An 11-foot tall street lamp is a historic reconstruction of the copper lantern box and post that stood in front of that church. The original lamp burned kerosene oil, and was one of eleven that were lighting the streets of West Branch by 1883.