This pamphlet was issued as part of a BYPU meeting that was held in Mount Pleasant on August 16 and 17, 1894. BYPU stands for the Baptist Young People’s Union. This organization was part of the Baptist Church and had chapters throughout the country.
The BYPU had two main goals — the first was to provide education and training to produce future church leaders, and the second was to find a way for young people to direct their energy in a way that would “render valuable service in the program of Christ’s Kingdom.” This organization was separate from Sunday School and was meant to be different than traditional Sunday School classes.
The BYPU was meant to be for more “expressional” activities and had a more limited membership than the church. The union was meant to focus on developing leaders through testimony, Bible Study and prayer. It is also meant to help them develop “platform ability” by speaking at or leading meetings, establish a denominational conscience and foment an interest in missions.
A church had to have a minimum of six interested and qualified young people to establish the BYPU at their church. BYPU membership included both young men and women, and this was the case at First Baptist. The local chapter had the following officers: President, Vice President, Secretary-Treasurer, and Organist. It also had devotionals, membership, socials, music and flower committees.
This pamphlet was for the Burlington Association of the BYPU. This most likely included representatives from various Baptist churches in the city, but we do know it included representatives from the First Baptist Church of Burlington.
The First Baptist Church in Burlington can trace its roots back to 1849 and has been in existence ever since. The congregation first met in Empire Hall on Third Street. This was actually a meeting room located above a saloon.
In 1850, the congregation purchased a lot on Fourth Street and built a brick church there. In 1865, a church bell was installed in the church. It was paid for with money from former slaves Kitty and Ben Gore.
The bell came with the congregation when it moved to a new building in 1886. At the time, it was simply located at the corner of Sixth and Washington. Although not in use today, many recognize it as the church at the bottom of Snake Alley.
The congregation of the church grew over the years and needed a larger building. This led to the purchase of acreage on Potter Drive in 1963. On Nov. 17, 1968, ground was broken on the new church building. Construction took just under two years. This also included moving the bell that had hung in the old church to the new building.
The first service was held in Parkside First Baptist Church on Sept. 20, 1970. The First Baptist Church is one of many churches in Burlington whose history spans 150 years or more and this pamphlet is just a small representation of that. It is currently on display in the exhibit “Churches of Des Moines County” at the Heritage Center Museum.
“Out of the Attic” features artifacts from the collection of the Des Moines County Historical Society. For more information, to ask questions or to offer comments or suggestions, call (319) 752-7449 or email dmchs@dmchs.org.