Pierce City was founded in 1870. The congregational church was organized on April 29, 1872 . A new building was dedicated during Jan. 1876. The building wad enlarged and extended to the east property line in 1887. In 1903, Banker L.L.L. Allen’s friend, W.H. Thompson

of St. Louis presented the Estey Pipe organ, opus #46, to the congregation.

An extensive remodeling of the church building-costing $3000.00 was completed. Cost of the organ was near $1000.00.

            The author of the program narrative for seventy-fifth anniversary of the Pierce City Congregational Church (1947) comments: “one of the powerful factors in the life of the church has been the work of the choir. The gift of the organ was one of the best things that ever happened to the church. The music has been outstanding and contributed a most important part in making the worship services notable.

The influence in the young lives of the members of the choir can not be estimated.”

            The Estey Organ Co. had its origin in 1846 in Brattleboro, VT as a reed organ builder. An advertising circular printed by the company in the early 1880’s claimed that they were producing 60 or more reed organs per day. The company had completed 250,000 reed organs by 1892. They continued to manufacture reed organs until the mid 1950’s. In the manufacture of pipe organs, the company took pride as “the champion of tubular-pneumatic action.” The firm ceased building in the early 1960’s. An electric organ blower was purchased in 1917. This is the only change that has ever been made to the instrument. The church still has the bellows signal and the handle used for pumping the instrument.

On Sunday evening, May 4, 2003 a devastating tornado hit Pierce City wiping out 40+ businesses, and 80+ homes. First Congregational Church received major roof damage, and the bell tower was destroyed. On Tuesday, May 6 torrential rains poured into the Estey which we have been “restoring” periodically since. Restoration is almost complete and we are planning a rededication recital for later fall of 2007.