BREAD OF LIFE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

BREAD OF LIFE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. In 2025 WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH and FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH merged to become Bread of Life Presbyterian Church. Westminster was referred to as the Hilltop Campus (2155 University) with First Presbyterian (1684 Iowa Street) being the Downtown Campus.

The two Dubuque churches had been in the process of combining forces after Rev. MargaretAnne Overstreet, the former pastor of Westminster Presbyterian, announced in March 2024 that she would be leaving the city in May of that year. Rev. Stephanie Ells, who had been the minister at First Presbyterian announced that she would be willing to willing to preach at both churches on an alternating basis. While a search committee had been organized to find a new pastor for Westminster, the two congregations began enjoying the temporary merger. The two previously had informal partnerships. In 2022 there was a shared youth program and joint Lenten gatherings. In 2023, hosting combined worship services, study groups, and mission outreach. In 2024 the formal collaboration emerged.

Although the two churches function as one unified congregation — with shared staff, ministries, leadership and worship — legal steps continue. A formal merger was anticipated by the conclusion of 2025.

Thew new name Bread of Life Presbyterian Church, was a reminder to worshipers that “Christ nourishes and sustains us — and that we are called to embody his grace in a hungry world.” A new logo reflects this mission, with wheat stalks symbolizing a new life shared in Christ, while the heart at the center represents the love that binds the churches. The colors blue and gold honor the joining of two congregations into one new body.

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Source:

Gloss, Megan, 'An Act of God': 2 Dubuque Presbyterian Churches Combine to Form New Organization, Telegraph Herald, August 9, 2025, Online: https://www.telegraphherald.com/news/features/article_3dcc3682-1168-4827-a2ed-51843bcc88d6.html