Miller UMC: A Cornerstone for Education | Iowa United Methodist Foundation

March 25, 2025

“Seeing that I was accepted for these scholarships nearly made me cry. I have been very stressed about finding a way to pay for this upcoming year of college… Thanks to you, I will be able to finish my education, teach and help the growing minds of our communities. Thank you so very much for choosing me and helping me along this journey.”
Miller UMC Scholarship Recipient

Exterior of the former Miller UMC in Des Moines

Photo courtesy of the Des Moines Register

When this building located on East 13th Street in Des Moines was constructed in 1912, it became the home of Miller Memorial United Brethren Church. Located near Cattell Elementary School, education became increasingly important to the congregation.

Mary Kay Buchacker joined the church in 1953 when her family moved to Des Moines from Illinois. They were looking for an EUB congregation that felt like home and found it in Miller UMC. Sadly, after many years of ministry, the difficult decision was made to close the church. The building was sold to the Des Moines Public School District. In 2019, when the cornerstone of the church building was opened, several valuable historical artifacts were discovered, including newspaper accounts of the Titanic sinking.

Cornerstone from the original Miller United Brethren Church, opened in 2019.

Photo courtesy of the Des Moines Register.

Memorial gifts for Leila Dewey, Earl Nelson, Bill Boyer and others were used to establish a scholarship for Des Moines high school students pursuing their dreams of higher education. The generosity of this congregation lives on in the help that this scholarship provides to new generations of students. The Miller UMC Scholarship has provided thousands of dollars of financial support to students in Iowa. Former church members, including Mary Kay, are thankful their church’s ministry lives on.

The Miller UMC Scholarship Fund, like all accounts managed by IUMF, is invested in accordance with the Social Principles of the United Methodist Church. If you or your church would like more information on creating or donating to a scholarship fund, please email [email protected]. Your generosity can pave the way for tomorrow’s leaders!