Kent Union Chapel Preservation Project

Exactly 100 years ago, the early settlers of Poweshiek County struck up the band and cut the ribbon on the nondenominational worship center named Kent Union Chapel. It has been home for weddings, funerals and religious services for most of its life. It must be preserved!

Kent Union Chapel represents an important, but little documented aspect of Iowa’s social history. Constructed in 1909 by the women of the Kent Cemetery Aid Society, the building was the social and community center for farm families living within a six mile radius.

At the time of the chapel’s construction, the area was settled by families of diverse religious backgrounds including Methodist, Presbyterian, Baptist, Episcopalian, Lutheran, Catholic, Dunkard, Quakers and United Brethren thus the reference “Union” in its name.

While the building was used for Sunday School, Kent chapel was also used for social purposes for more than 70 years until it closed in 1980. It’s time for renewal!

National Register of Historic Places Kent Chapel and Cemetery has been formally approved by the National Park Service in Washington, D.C. to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the nation's historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service's National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America's historic and archeological resources.

Along with the distinction of a National Registry Listing, it is the first step toward eligibility for federal preservation tax credits. The Federal Historic Preservation Tax Incentives Program encourages private sector rehabilitation of historic buildings and is one of the nation's most successful and cost effective community revitalization programs.

Please click on the link to view our National Registry of Historic Places nomination form.