The ministry of Valley View Baptist Church stretches back far enough that it has been allowed to touch the lives of people living in three different centuries! What a rich heritage this church has of serving a faithful God. May the family and friends of Valley View use this time to echo the words of David in Psalm 89:1, "I will sing of the mercies of the LORD forever; With my mouth will I make known Your faithfulness to all generations."

Valley View’s history can be broken down into three eras: Our Danish Heritage, The Seventh Avenue Years, and the Valley View Years.

Rev. P. H. Dam was the first man to undertake the work among the Scandinavian people in Council Bluffs in the year 1873. He was assisted by Rev. A. Jacobsen and Rev. I. Ring. These men were among the early Danish people who came to America seeking religious freedom following persecution by the state church in Denmark.

On March 25, 1876, the Scandinavian Baptist Church of Council Bluffs came into existence with twenty-one charter members. Rev. Theodore Hessel was the first pastor. The small congregation worshipped in a frame building which was built in 1877 and seated 150 people. It was located on Mynster Street where the B'Nai Israel Synagogue now stands. The congregation grew and construction of a larger church building was begun in 1884 on the corner of 7^th Street and 7^th Avenue.

The Danish language was originally used in the church services, but in 1927 a decision was made to change to the English language to meet the needs of the ever growing congregation. That same year the church name was changed to the Seventh Avenue Baptist Church. Rev. Lawrence Thompsen was the pastor at the time of these changes.

Five pastors served the Seventh Avenue Baptist Church, beginning with Lawrence Thompson. The youth ministry advanced under the ministry of Rev. O. A. Enersen. Rev. A. S. Grarup led the church through the financial struggle of the depression years.

Rev. Clair Brown accepted the call to the church in 1943 and led the church through the WWII years and beyond. Under Pastor Brown’s leadership the Lord continued to add to the membership of the church. In 1951, the church sanctuary was enlarged and educational classrooms were added. The dedication of the addition coincided with the church’s 75^th anniversary service in 1951.

The seed of an idea was planted in July of 1957 which eventually grew into the Valley View Baptist Church. Rev. Brown presented the possibility of an expansion program to meet the needs of the growing church. In December of 1958 the congregation voted to build a new facility on Bennett Ave.

In August of 1958 the Lord provided new leadership for the church in Pastor Paul Miller of Divernon, Illinois. In November of 1959 bonds were issued as a means of financing the new church building. In January of 1960, the name Valley View Baptist Church was chosen for the new facility. Construction began in the spring of 1960 and was completed in November. A Thanksgiving Dinner was held in the new fellowship room to honor and praise the Lord for His goodness and guidance.

Under Pastor Miller’s ministry the church continued to grow in attendance and buildings. By the time the Millers moved to Denver, Colorado in 1973, two parsonages and an educational wing had been added to the church.

During the 70’s and early 80’s two more pastors led Valley View. Pastor Thomas Simmons was privileged to be the pastor during the Centennial year of the church. Pastor Bill Atkinson led the church from 1980-1983.

In 1979, under Pastor Simmons, the church purchased property on the Southwest end of town and began the Southview Baptist Church (now known as Southview Bible Church).

In 1984 the Lord led Pastor Thomas Shirley to Valley View. He led the church during the finalization of the Southview church as well as the building of the Fellowship Center in 1990. After 15 years of ministry, Pastor Shirley retired in 1999.

On October 1, 2000 Pastor James L. Collingsworth II preached his first sermon as the pastor of Valley View.  It was during Pastor Jim's ministry that the remodel project of the auditorium, was initiated and completed to bring it into the 21st Century.  Pastor Jim also oversaw the celebration of the sesquecentennial of the church, 125 years reaching the Council Bluffs community for Christ.  Pastor Jim left in June 2006 to minister in Perry, IA.

Where to from here? Only God knows. At this time, the United States of America is at war against Terrorism with ground troops in Afghanistan & Iraq. It seems as if time is short and that the soon return of Jesus Christ for His church is just around the corner.

The people of Valley View Baptist Church need to live each day as if it were the last, and, at the same time, plan for a bright future. If the people who make up this great church will follow the Lord and grow closer to Him through private and corporate worship, God can and will do great things. Valley View Baptist Church is in the people business. Lost people matter to God, and so they should matter to us. As long as God leaves this church in operation, may we use the rich heritage of our past to propel us into the future. There are people to be saved, churches to be planted, and missionaries yet to be sent.