We offer opportunities for touring The Little Brown Church to both individual groups and Motor Coach Tours. The pastor enjoys giving tours of the church building and sharing some of the unique history of the Church, The Song “The Church in the Wildwood” and sharing insights into the current ministry of The Little Brown Church in the Vale.
Small groups and individuals are welcomed to request personal tours of the church by phoning 641-435-2027 or e-mailing info@littlebrownchurch.org to insure the Pastor or a Guide will be available. The church is basically open from dawn to dusk each day and is open to all that desire spending time in the Sanctuary absorbing both the historical aspects, admiring photos and short historical notes on display or to spend time in prayer, we are first and foremost an active church! All are most welcomed to attend our Sunday morning Worship Services that begin at 10:30 a.m. and are preceded by a sing-a-long starting at 10:15.
Location:
We are just three miles from highway 27/218, the "Avenue of the Saints" connecting St. Louis with Minneapolis/St. Paul. We are only ten miles from Highway 63 which goes from Waterloo, Iowa to Rochester, Minnesota with new city bypass routes. Both of these are 4 lane highways. We are on Highway 346, do not turn off of the pavement onto the gravel road! Some navigation systems will mislead you by a few miles.
Who We Are:
The Little Brown Church was founded in 1855 as a frontier Congregational Church and was made famous by William Pitt's song "The Church in the Wildwood." We currently have a membership of 70+ people and host several hundred weddings each year. Our Annual Reunion Celebration in August draws over 300 people to renew their marriage commitment to each other; everyone is invited to that event. Over 73,000 weddings have been held at the church. Our bell tower still holds the 1860 bell, rung by almost everyone who enters. We are completely handicap accessible and a 15+ acre park is maintained by the church. We have picnic tables, a shelter and a scenic setting with a rustic wooden church and an active congregation.
What We Offer You:
Our Motor Coach tours take approximately an hour and include the history of the church, wedding stories, a tour of the building, the singing of the church song and perhaps a surprise or two. If you have a pianist in your group, they will be invited to accompany the singing. There is NO CHARGE for the tour but often tour groups give a dollar a person. We appreciate the gifts. There are a variety of small souvenirs available at the church. We can arrange for rolls and coffee for a small fee if you request this service or our Women’s Fellowship will provide a meal for your group with an advanced notice.
Tour Arrangements: Our Website www.littlebrownchurch.org Phone 641-435-2027 FAX 641-435-2027
Appointments are not needed if you wish to just stop by…….but it’s really more fun to hear stories of the church.
Tours may be arranged most any day or time of the week, Saturday tours may be somewhat difficult to arrange due to the possibility of their being numerous weddings scheduled. Sunday Services are at 10:15 a.m. every week and you are welcome to attend. Please notify us so that sufficient bulletins are available and we can arrange a short tour either before or after worship. Please do call to discuss whatever ways and means we may be able to assist you.
A Few Other Attractions That May Be of Interest:
Adjacent to the Little Brown Church is the Old Bradford Pioneer Village; The Museum is open May 1 – October 31. The Village is maintained by the Chickasaw County Historical Society, it features 14 buildings as well as a large collection of antiques and memorial items from Dr. Pitts who wrote the church song. http://www.museumsusa.org/museums/info/1154572
Carrie Chapman Catt Girlhood Home is within 10 miles of the church and is Open Memorial Day to Labor Day (late May to early September) and by appointment, http://www.catt.org/
Charles City, roughly 12 miles North-West of the church, has the site of the first tractor built in Iowa at their local museum. http://www.floydcountymuseum.org/
A buffalo ranch http://www.hawkeyebuffalo.com/ is within 20 miles.
The Fossil & Prairie Center is only 28 miles away, http://www.fossilcenter.com/
In Waterloo, approximately 40 miles south of The Little Brown Church; you can tour the John Deere Plant, one of the largest in the nation, http://www.greencollectors.com/cdps/cditem.cfm?NID=379
The Bily Clocks Museum at Spillville is about 50 miles away. This museum features hand carved 10 and 12 foot clocks made by the Bily Brothers in the years between 1913 and 1940, including the American Pioneer History clock for which Henry Ford offered a million dollars, and a replica clock of The Little Brown Church. The museum was also the site where Antonin Dvorak stayed while visiting the United States in the late 1800's and the second floor of the museum features displays of this famous Czech composer. http://www.bilyclocks.org/
At Decorah you will find the largest Norwegian Museum in the United States; The Vesterheim Norwegian American Museum - is 65 miles north-east; they can provide information on their yearly Norwegian celebrations. http://vesterheim.org/index.php
The Grotto of the Redemption in West Bend, Iowa is approximately 120 miles west of the church. http://www.westbendgrotto.com/
The Amana Colonies http://amanacolonies.com/ are approximately 120 miles South,
The House on the Rock http://www.thehouseontherock.com/ is about 150 miles east near Spring Green, Wisconsin,