A Brief History of Underwood Hil

In 1952 the presbytery (then called the Presbytery of Omaha) conducted a study, concluding that a congregation was needed in this "edge" of the city. In 1953 the presbytery purchased five acres of land at 74th and Burt Streets for $12,500.00 for a new church. The presbytery called the Reverend Alvin J. Brunn to start the church. He began his ministry on June 1, 1953. He and a group of clergy from the presbytery together chose the name Underwood Hills Presbyterian Church.

The first service was held on July 12th, 1953, with 65 in attendance. However, many of those were from other congregations in Omaha, there to encourage this new venture. It was a long time before there were that many in worship again. The services then, and for some time, were held in a tavern/night club building which was on the southeast corner of 72nd and Pacific Streets. Reverend Brunn spent many days cleaning the place and trying to remove as many of the tavern images as he could.

The congregation was officially chartered on January 3, 1954 with 71 charter members. By the end of 1960 there were 341 members, the high point in our church membership record. A funding campaign began in April 1954 to build a building. The first service in the new sanctuary was on April 15, 1956. The eastern half of the building was added in 1964. The paved parking lot was added in 1973. Until then services were held in Hillside School auditorium on days when our own parking lot was too muddy to use.

During 2004, Underwood Hills celebrated its 50th Anniversary. Celebration activities included a Concert on the Green, open to the Omaha community, a banquet dinner for current and previous members and pastors, and opening the cornerstone and discovering 50 year old newsletters.

In 2005, the sanctuary was remodeled, adding a bent wood pulpit, stained glass and new lighting.

Underwood Hills worships joyfully, extends warm hospitality and grows through mission. We invite you to join us.