QUINCY — History takes time to make, and restoring a piece of history also takes time, as members of the Quincy Valley Historical Society and local volunteers have discovered as they work on restoring Quincy’s Pioneer Church, located next to the Reiman-Simmons House.

The Pioneer Church was built in 1904 on the corner of Second Avenue and B Street Southwest as a community church. In 1907, it was incorporated as a German Lutheran church. When a new, larger church building was needed for the Lutheran congregation, the church was sold. It was used by several different churches before it was sold into private ownership.

In 2006, the Pioneer Church was given back to the people of Quincy by the St. Paul Lutheran Church, which repurchased it and had it moved to its new location at the Reiman-Simmons Historical Site, near the local cemetery.

“We were going to have our church’s centennial,” said Kaye Baumgartner, St. Paul Lutheran Church member and church restoration volunteer. “We wanted to give something to the community and thought about our original church building. With the help of donations from the community, we were able to make the move happen.”

Since then, restoration has been in full operation. New siding has replaced damaged or missing siding. Electricity, heating and insulation have been installed. New windows have been put in place.

With the outside of the building almost done — new doors have yet to be installed — the focus of the restoration has moved indoors.

Currently, friends of the Quincy Valley Historical Society are working on restoring the embossed tin ceiling tiles and getting them ready to be painted. The church originally had embossed tin wall panels that also encompassed the entire sanctuary, but those were removed by previous owners.

“We wish we could find a supplier so we could replace the tall ones,” Baumgartner said.

Before a supplier can be found, however, the original panels or pictures of the panels have to be found. Once panels can be found or purchased, they will be put in the front of the church only.

The rest of the walls will be like the original wood paneling that was under the tin walls. Right now, the walls are being prepared for painting. After painting is completed on both the walls and the ceiling, work on the wood floor will begin.

“We will be having all kinds of little work parties,” Baumgartner said. “Our hope is that it will start looking put together.”

The goal is to have the Pioneer Church ready by early summer. Once complete, it will be available to use for faith-based purposes, such as weddings, baptisms and prayer meetings.

“The coolest part,” Baumgartner said, “is that this church started out as a community church for everyone. Now it is going back to that.”

Anyone interesting in helping with the restoration or with information, records or pictures of the Pioneer Church is asked to call the Reiman-Simmons House at 787-4685.