since the two pastors serving had agreed to step aside once the federation was completed and sufficient time was allowed to select another pastor. Dr. Williams remained in his position until the congregation voted unanimously to call Rev. Thomas Griffiths of Geneva, Nebraska. He accepted, and his work with Federated Church began in early 1915.

The Constitution sought to maintain balance between the two denominations joined in the federation and “to prevent situations which might lead to friction between them.” To this end the Constitution required that the pastorate alternate between the denominations, first Presbyterian, then Congregational. Other various ways to maintain balance were set forth in the Constitution, including committee structures, criteria for membership selection to boards and committees, and activities that related to each denomination such as election procedures and receipt and disbursement of monies. The Constitution also provided policy for calling and dismissing pastors.

As the church grew in size and responsibility, social interests and concerns called for change, and other situations bound to arise needed adjustments, the original constitution was revised. However, “the concept of unity… without loss of denominational identity has remained as it was at the beginning.”

One of the primary reasons for joining together two congregations was that each had outgrown its facility and needed a new building. They had hoped that by working together they might achieve a more suitable building than by working alone. The need for a new facility became more acute upon uniting, and the search for a location began. A site at the corner of Platte and 15th Streets was found, and it was unanimously agreed to purchase a quarter of the block for $8000. The existing lots were sold which provided for a building fund. Money from the sale of the Presbyterian building provided additional money. The Congregational building was razed and its lumber used in the new Federated Church building. Services were held at the Y.M.C.A. until the building project was completed. Two years after the cornerstone was laid, the Federated Church building was dedicated on Palm Sunday, April 9, 1922.

Over the years additional property was purchased, eventually encompassing the entire block on which the first Federated Church building sits. In 1924 a parsonage was built on the property west of the church. It was later sold and moved when plans to build a new sanctuary were realized. In May 1977 the congregation voted approval of an Education Unit and it was built on the existing property.

By 1990 the Federated Church membership totaled 818. In an organization of similar size disagreement and discord are natural consequences on occasion. The early 1990s saw the congregation experiencing controversy. By the end of 1994 membership had decreased to 716, the aging physical plant needed improvements in the form of renovation or building anew, and finance issues resulted in budgetary obligations not met. Some wondered whether the federation was still effective. At a congregational meeting in May 1994 the issue of affirming or disavowing the federation was called to vote. The vote was resounding. Over 94 percent voted to affirm the federation.

Discussions continued on whether to renovate the current building to make it handicapped accessible or embark on a new building plan. Other major building maintenance issues needed to be addressed as well. An architectural company presented plans for a new building and a vote to consider those or renovate/refurbish the existing building was presented to the congregation in June 1995. The vote failed since neither option carried a majority and plans were set aside. However, the desire to make Federated Church a place where all could enter did not rest, nor were the maintenance issues resolved.

Determined to end the stalemate on how to bring the facilities up to date, the Governing Council passed a resolution in the fall of 1995 to build new on the present site. Acting on that resolution the idea was called to a vote by the congregation. In October 1995 the vote carried by 74 percent to act on a new building. A building design committee was formed and a new approach for building was presented. Their work culminated in the following proposal: 1) build a new sanctuary north of the existing building; 2) gut the existing building, making way for a new fellowship hall and kitchen on the lower level and a gymnasium and additional classroom space on the upper level; 3) add space west of the existing building to expand and consolidate church offices; and 4) join together with a larger narthex all of the existing and proposed facilities—a new sanctuary, the renovated current building, and the existing Educational Unit. In a vote by the congregation on October 1999, a 92 percent majority approved the committee’s proposal and voted to enter into contract with Radec Construction Company to complete the project.