HERITAGE  / About  / Values

God has strategically placed the Riverside congregation to live out the good news about Jesus throughout the Little Sioux River valley and Sioux Central school district communities...

We are rooted in the stories of three Welsh Presbyterian (Calvinistic Methodist) congregations. Zion Church started in 1873 and later built a small building 6 miles north of Linn Grove and hired a resident pastor. Peniel Church began in 1892 and later built a building 2 miles north of town. Riverside started in the Union Church building which was constructed in 1889 and used by several congregations. In 1907, Zion, Peniel and Riverside jointly hired Rev. Harris for $600 a year. He set out on horseback early each Sunday to hold a service at Zion. He rode to Peniel for an afternoon service, then an evening service at Union Church.

The present Riverside building dates from before 1924, when the Peniel building was dismantled and moved across the Little Sioux River into Linn Grove. It was reportedly cut into six parts, with each part dropped over a haystack and carried into town when the river was low. In 2018-2021, Riverside added an accessible entry, lift and restrooms, renovated the sanctuary, and remodeled the basement, to enhance ministry opportunities.