First Congregational Church

101 E 6th Street
Tempe, AZ 85281

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HISTORIC ASSOCIATION 
The First Congregational Church is significant, as a landmark, for its presence in Downtown Tempe since 1899. It houses the church congregation to have continuously occupied the same site in Tempe for the longest period of time. First Congregational Church is also significant for its historic association with some of Tempe's most influential citizens, most notably, the Reverend Daniel Kloss. Reverend Kloss, who was 61 years old when he migrated from Kansas to the Salt River Valley in 1891, was a well-schooled minister and educator. He began operation of a 160-acre farm under the Tempe Canal, and in 1892 he organized the First Congregational Church of Tempe, serving as its minister until 1900. From 1893 to 1897, Reverend Kloss sat on the board of the Territorial Normal School (now Arizona State University). During his tenure the Main Building (Old Main), which was the school's first substantial construction effort, was completed. Kloss also served as director of the Tempe Irrigating Canal Company and was president of the Kansas Society, a Valley-wide organization of Kansas immigrants. CLOSED