A century and a half old landmark in Tipton, Iowa is getting a new home. The South Bethel Church was built in 1854 but closed last year. The church is going to reopen, but not before turning some heads.

Thursday the South Bethel Church left on a journey to a new home where it can continue to serve the community.

"It's not very often when you go down the highway you see a church crossing," said Jeremy Patterson of Patterson Structural Movers.

The 155-year-old, 90 ton structure went rolling on 42 wheels down rural roads near Tipton. The 12-mile journey at a crawling pace was not necessarily a smooth ride.

"We've got gravel roads, pavement, bridges, hills," added Patterson.

In addition, power lines and other obstacles to deal with. Not to mention two fields the church still has yet to cross.

"The combine just drove on them and we're going drive them so we're going to be holding our breath just a little bit," said Jeff Kaufmann, Chair of the church fundraising committee.

Congregation members say soon the trip will be worth the hassle. "I'm so glad it's being preserved because I'd hate to see it be torn down," said Margaret Johnston, a descendant of one of the congregation's original families.

The community raised more then $85,000 to see that that did not happen. Especially not for the longest operating church west of the Mississippi River, and the countless lives touched within its walls.

"It has held so many memories. All three of our girls were married there," added Johnston.

Ev and Dwain Ford say, "All of our children were baptized in this church. So we have five that were baptized in this church."

Now, rather than closed doors and empty pews, the 10 remaining members of the church are happy to see it be a part of Iowa's history.

"It will be part of the Cedar County Historical Society and continue on as legacy to our pioneers," said Kaufmann.

Dozens of volunteers and crews, including four utility companies, made the move possible. Friday the church will head across the two fields to its new home just north of Tipton. The historic site is expected to open for visitors next spring and the county historical society intends to also use the building for events to generate revenue.