On March 24, 1954, twenty-three people met in the basement of the Jesse Allred home at 305 W. 4th Street, in Leon, Iowa. At an organizational meeting on March 31, the name of Independent Bible Church was selected and Reverend Marion D. Gates (Philadelphia College of the Bible) was called as Pastor.
The nucleus of people grew quickly and they saw the need to build a church building. One-half of a city block was purchased and construction began on the 32’ x 60’ building in July, 1954. A dedication ceremony was held in November 1954.
In the spring of 1957, Reverend Paul F. Schroeder (Omaha Bible Institute) was called as Pastor and he continued as Pastor until his death on September 25, 1964.
On January 1, 1965, Reverend Clarence Anderson (Bob Jones University and Seminary) was called as Pastor. A Sunday School wing was added to the original building in 1966. Upstairs was a large area for fellowship and some classrooms with additional classrooms downstairs in the finished basement, a small kitchen facility, and recreation area. Dedication services were held on Sunday, April 23, 1967. In August 1965, a pre-fabricated three bedroom home was purchased to serve as a parsonage and was located adjacent to the church.
In February 1973, Reverend Robert L. Bowers (Midwest Bible and Missionary Institute, now known as Calvary Bible College) was called to be Pastor.
In December 1976, the church became a member of IFCA International, a fellowship of autonomous churches, pastors, missionaries and laypeople who take a common stand on the clear teaching of the Word of God.
Reverend Marvin L. Schmidt (Grand Rapids School of Bible and Music) came in August, 1978.
On January 1, 1982, Reverend Robert Bowers returned as Pastor. In September of that year a ministry to the deaf was begun by Paul and Garnett Wright, of Osceola. In April, 1983, the church purchased an additional 40’ of ground adjacent to its property and began a major expansion/renovation project in July 1983. A 24’x32’ two story addition was added to the building. The dedication was held on November 6, 1983.
In January 1989, Pastor Bowers was led to go to Calvary Bible College as the Financial Aid Advisor and in February 1989, Reverend Brian L. Hardee (Calvary Bible College/Moody Bible Institute) became the Pastor. He served until October 2000 after leading the church in a period of growth requiring even more space.
A building fund was established in 1991 and, with 30,000.00 in hand, ground was broken in the Spring of 1993. Much of the work was done by the men of the church and by others who donated time and talents. The walls were raised on the new auditorium on June 25, 1993 and the roof followed a few weeks later. In the end, a new Kitchen, new foyer space and modern restrooms were included in this building project.
In January 2001, Pastor Pat Weaver (Calvary Bible College) was called as Pastor and he served the church until 2007. Pastor Billy Mathis (Baptist Bible College) followed Pastor Weaver, serving until the Fall of 2008.