Central » Des Moines » Des Moines, East Side » Iowa » “Iowa's First Church” “Iowa's First Church” Details 1834. Heritage Village area, east corner of E. Grand Ave. at Hoover Ave. This split-log church is a replica of the original church, which was located in Dubuque. The shingled roof has gabled ends sheathed in clapboard. Writing Credits Author: David Gebhard and Gerald Mansheim