Before the organization of Nebraska Territory in 1854, missions were established among the Indian tribes of this area. In 1850, Rev. Edward McKinney founded the first Presbyterian Church of Nebraska with five members after arriving in Bellevue in 1846 to take over the work of the Indian missions. In 1853, Rev. William Hamilton replaced him as pastor. In 1856, the church body was reorganized and construction of a permanent edifice began. The thirty-by-forty-foot building took two years to complete. It was one of the earliest churches built in Nebraska and is the oldest surviving structure built as a church. Additions were made in 1869, and in 1904 it was enlarged to more than double its original size. The Social Hall was added in 1924. Seating only five hundred, it became too small for the needs of the congregation, and after providing religious services for more than a century, it was replaced in 1958 by a new building. It has been preserved as a symbol of pioneer religious heritage.