How it all started...
In the early 1970’s the dream of developing a second Evangelical Covenant Church in the Des Moines area became reality when 59 members chartered a new congregation on Sunday, August 8, 1971 – Urban Heights Evangelical Covenant Church. This congregation, with its roots in the Des Moines Covenant Church on the east side, began meeting at the Urbandale High School on the corner of Aurora and 70th, with its new pastor, Rev. Richard (Dick) Sandquist.
On July 22, 1973, ground was broken for their new building at 76th and Aurora, a promising location on a gravel road, next to the Middle School. Over 400 people celebrated its dedication on November 17, 1974. The Family Life Center, a gymnasium with an upstairs room, was added in 1992.
Since those beginning days, Urban Heights has maintained a passion to impact this community with the good news of Christ. In July of 2014 the East African “Messenger’s Fellowship” moved to Sunday mornings, with the intention of becoming a congregation of the Evangelical Covenant Church. With the new name of “Shalom,” which is Hebrew for “peace,” they selected officers and designated Eugene Kiruhura as their leader. A team of leaders from both congregations began meeting in June of 2015 in order to integrate the ministries of “The Heights” and “Shalom” into what is termed now as “One Church with two Congregations.”
On July 22, 1973, ground was broken for their new building at 76th and Aurora, a promising location on a gravel road, next to the Middle School. Over 400 people celebrated its dedication on November 17, 1974. The Family Life Center, a gymnasium with an upstairs room, was added in 1992.
Since those beginning days, Urban Heights has maintained a passion to impact this community with the good news of Christ. In July of 2014 the East African “Messenger’s Fellowship” moved to Sunday mornings, with the intention of becoming a congregation of the Evangelical Covenant Church. With the new name of “Shalom,” which is Hebrew for “peace,” they selected officers and designated Eugene Kiruhura as their leader. A team of leaders from both congregations began meeting in June of 2015 in order to integrate the ministries of “The Heights” and “Shalom” into what is termed now as “One Church with two Congregations.”
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Charter Members of Urban Heights Covenant Church
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Ground breaking of the church building
Where we are headed...
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Be a part of our story...
Join us every Sunday as we gather to worship together a 9:30 am and 11 am.