Westminster celebrated its 150th birthday in 2000. Quoting from "Some outstanding particulars of the first hundred years" written for the centennial celebration for Westminster in 1950 a church historian stated: Two streams of church history converged into the history of Westminster Presbyterian Church of Dubuque.
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'To Glorify God and Enjoy Him Forever'
The Bell in our courtyard is an important element of Westminster's history. From 1859 through 1964, Westminster Presbyterian Church was located in a brick building at the corner of 13th Street and Locust. By the early 1950's, the congregation had outgrown this building and decided to move. They selected the current location because of its position near two busy streets and its close proximity to the University of Dubuque. Westminster dedicated the new fellowship hall and church school in September, 1958, and moved into the sanctuary on September 13, 1964.
Two years later, on June 20, 1966, an early morning fire destroyed Westminster's first building. According to the Session Minutes from June, 1966, "Architectural recommendations for the old church bell as a permanent reminder have been proposed. A reminder, before and after the fire, 'To glorify God and enjoy Him forever.'"
Over forty years later, the bell is still here to remind us of our gracious and providential Lord.
