Endangered: Trinity Church, Forest City

Preservation Iowa's 2026 Most Endangered List: Trinity Church, Forest City, Winnebago County

Reputed to be the oldest surviving structure in Winnebago County, this c. 1875 church retains the pews, altar, tin ceilings and flooring from when it was last used as a church. A basement was added to the structure in 1926. It was donated to the Winnebago Historical Society about 10 years ago and since then, it has hosted concerts and events and been rented out for other functions.

In recent years, however, the increasing maintenance needs of the church have become a significant financial burden for the Historical Society. One of the biggest concerns is water infiltration and the resulting mold in the 1920s basement. Since it is not currently used but once or twice a year, the Historical Society is considering its sale.

Trinity Church, Forest City (Preservation Iowa 2026 Most Endangered List)

Preservation Iowa’s Most Endangered Property program was started in 1995 and implemented to educate Iowans about the special buildings and historic sites that are slowly and gradually slipping away from us.  In the past 20 years, Preservation Iowa has designated over 140 archaeological sites, churches, landscapes, and a variety of other buildings.

The full list of Preservation Iowa's 2026 Most Endangered Properties