🌱 Patch AM: How a 175-year-old church became a spiritual beacon in Johnston

Greetings Johnston! Your go-to source for what's happening in town is here. Stay in the loop and read on. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• How a 175-year-old church became a spiritual beacon in Johnston
• Johnston family joins others in remembering Gary Mack Stolley's long life

Also on today's calendar: Football Friends and Fun: A Tailgate for Jill and 5 more events.

Today's riddle: Why did the fish blush ? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Monday: Sunny intervals; less humid, with a high of 84 and low of 68 degrees.
• Tuesday: A t-storm around in the p.m., temps: high: 95, low: 69. 🌶 Hot!
• Wednesday: A t-storm around in the a.m., with a high of 84 and low of 57 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• First Baptist Church of Greater Des Moines marks 175 years of history and faith (kcci.com) — First Baptist Church of Greater Des Moines now worships in Johnston, where its distinctive spire is meant to serve as a beacon for the community. Members are celebrating 175 years of history, reflecting on the church's frontier beginnings, multiple downtown moves, and how they're facing shrinking membership while staying focused on faith and their future in Johnston.
   

• Gary Mack Stolley (qctimes.com) — Family and friends in Johnston are among those mourning Gary Mack Stolley, a devoted husband, father, and grandfather who died September 3 at age 90. His daughter and son-in-law live in Johnston, while services and burial will be held this week in Moline and Rock Island, honoring his long career, community service, and love of family.
   

📸 Around Johnston

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Johnston

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

Tuesday September 8
• Music at the Market - Chris Powell →
  Johnston, IA Calendar Johnston, IA 50131
  4:00 pm
• City Council Meeting
  City of Johnston Johnston City Hall - 6221 Merle Hay Road PO Box 410 Johnston IA 50
  7:00 pm
• City Council Meeting →
  Johnston, IA Calendar, 6221 Merle Hay Road PO Box 410, Johnston
  7:00 pm
Thursday September 10
• Football Friends and Fun: A Tailgate for Jill →
  The Warehouse Pub, 10100 NW 62nd Ave, Johnston
  5:00 pm
Saturday September 12
• Fall Electronics Recycling Day →
  Johnston, IA Calendar, 6221 Merle Hay Road PO Box 410, Johnston
  10:00 am
Sunday September 13
• Johnston Iowa Dems Annual BBQ Picnic →
  5501 Garrison Ct, Johnston
  3:00 pm
Monday September 14
• Planning & Zoning Meeting →
  Johnston, IA Calendar, 6221 Merle Hay Road PO Box 410, Johnston
  7:00 pm
Tuesday September 15
• Music at the Market - Dennis Kain →
  Johnston, IA Calendar Johnston, IA 50131
  4:00 pm

📣 Johnston Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Tuesday September 8
• Splash Pad Closed for the Season →
  Grimes, IA Calendar Grimes, IA 50111
• City Council Workshop September 8, 2026 →
  Grimes, IA Calendar
  5:30 pm
Wednesday September 9
• Topographies over Time: A Hike Series with Wander Women Midwest →
  Jester Park Nature Center, 12130 NW 128th St, Granger
  6:00 pm
Thursday September 10
• September Social
  Truman's KC Pizza Tavern, 400 Southeast 6th Street, Des Moines
  5:30 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• A hot and humid week for everyone.
  Ice cold water, bananas, muffins and pulled pork sandwiches to the rescue at the homeless camps! (Nextdoor Beaver Pines)
• Hi we're looking for a dog sitter last minute for this weekend, something came up very last minute and we would be leaving today around 4 and coming back Monday.
  Is anyone by chance free? He's a mini golden retriever very friendly and extremely kind and loving around everyone. (Nextdoor Green Meadows West)

• Government Jobs posted a job opening for Custodial Worker in Johnston. Apply here.
• Sonic posted a job opening for Cook in Johnston. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Johnston here.

🗞 Nearby News

Grimes

• Rays Top Prospect Impressing During First Pro Season (yardbarker.com)

Urbandale

• 'Nobody puts Buc-ee's in the corner!' Petition to secure location for West Des Moines (who13.com)
• Looking for a nearby apple orchard? 6 central Iowa orchards are open (desmoinesregister.com)
• 12 Secret Iowa Pie Shops Where The Fruit Filling Tastes Like Grandma Made It (travelmag.com)

Ok Johnston! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: It saw the ocean's bottom! (Thank you Gary M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what's happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

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