A celebration was held Saturday as the Pella Community Center building was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

Bruce Boertje with Historic Pella Trust and the Friends of the Pella Community Center says a ceremony was held to recognize the effort.

“It’s a big honor to be placed on the National Register,” he says “It doesn’t in and of itself protect the building from demolition or alteration, but it’s a wonderful recognition of the history of the building. Only just a handful of buildings are eligible to be placed on the National Register, and this reflects the over one century history of this building.”

Boertje says it joins several buildings across Pella such as the Scholte House, Tuttle Cabin, Historic Collegiate Neighborhood, and others recognized for their historic significance. The Friends of the Pella Community Center were behind the effort to place what was originally built for Pella High School on the National Registry.

Several speeches were given to a crowd gathered in front of the Pella Community Center that included current Pella City Council members and several candidates running and several activities inside the facility followed.