USA > Kansas > Sedgwick County > History of Wichita and Sedgwick County, Kansas, past and present, including an account of the cities, towns and villages of the county, Vol. I > Part 34
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The church and business have mutual interests. Each has made possible the prosperity of the other, and religion, education and business have made Wichita a city where to live is life indeed.
For over forty years, since the time her first congregation gathered to attend the first religious service conducted in the city, Wichita, has honored and given place to the church, and now the spires of the places devoted to religious worship pierce the air from the very heart of the city to the limits of the far suburb.
Wichita does not aspire to be called "the city of churches," but is satisfied to patronize those she has and build others as fast as her growth justifies.
For long years the idea has prevailed that religion was entirely apart from business, but in Wichita the falsity of that idea has been proved in the fact that many of the wealthiest, most suc- cessful business men, politicians and public officers are closely
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PIONEER CHURCHES OF WICHITA
associated with all kinds of religious activity, holding offices of responsibility in the various churches.
They have proved that piety and progress are not at variance and that salvation and sense can be mixed without neutralizing either.
From the rude building, constructed of slabs from a sawmill, with its dirt roof, where the early citizens met for worship forty- two years ago, to the magnificent structures in many parts of the city today, is an almost startling transition.
Wichita has more than sixty religious societies and as many as fifty edifices devoted to religious worship, while immense mission enterprises are found throughout the city.
The total membership of all the denominations is above 13,000, and the Sunday schools have a combined membership of over 12,000.
The total valuation of the church properties is greatly in excess of $1,000,000.
The valuation of the several church buildings are:
Baptist churches
$ 85,500
Christian churches
73,000
Congregational churches
69,000
Episcopal churches
83,000
Friends churches
7,000
Presbyterian churches
188,500
Methodist Episcopal churches
232,500
United Brethren churches
19,500
United Presbyterian churches
8,500
German Evangelical churches
15,000
Catholic churches
145,000
Colored Baptist church
30,000
African M. E. church
10,000
M. E. Colored church.
2,000
Dunkard church
8,000
Reformed church (Brown Memorial)
25,000
Universalist church
15,000
Salvation Army
35,000
Free Methodist church
3,000
Total valuation $1,074,500
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HISTORY OF SEDGWICK COUNTY
Members of the various denominations number as follows :
Baptist churches 1,295
Christian churches 1,507
Congregational churches 700
Episcopal churches 540
Friends churches
710
Methodist Episcopal churches
2,965
Presbyterian churches 1,943
United Brethren churches
322
United Presbyterian churches
180
German Evangelical church
50
Catholic churches
2,140
Colored Baptist church
300
African M. E. church
200
Negro M. E. church
50
Dunkard church
175
Reformed church (Brown Memorial)
105
Universalist church
100
Salvation Army
100
Free Methodist church
50
Total
13,480
After conversation with conservative business men and those familiar with conditions in the city, it is certain that there is much property devoted to religious purposes held by other denom- inations, whose holdings are not included in the above list.
For years the general work of the churches of the city has been augmented by the existence of a strong ministerial associa- tion, which was organized to bring the pastors of the different churches together at regular intervals, where papers are read and discussions on helpful themes are held.
The work of the association reaches further than mere denom- inational lines, and one result of the organization of the alliance has been to produce a better spirit of fraternalism among the ministers themselves, which has had its effect on every parish rep- resented in bringing about co-operation in all lines of Christian work.
Several churches in the city have also become engaged in for- eign missionary work and are supporting missionaries in China,
369
PIONEER CHURCHES OF WICHITA
Japan, India, Africa, South America, Korea, Mexico and Alaska. This is aside from the regular mission work of the denominations and is carried on by the local churches, each church assuming the responsibility of supporting one or more missionaries.
Ardent zeal and sane optimism will be the guides for all future religious enterprises in Wichita, because successful business men are the builders and supporters of these Christian institutions. They will not, in moments of enthusiasm, construct large and 'costly edifices and then leave them to be occupied by the moles and bats. They will fill them and thrill them with brain and red blood and maintain in them a spirituality void of cant and whine and a sincerity as refreshing as the morning dew, and in the future, whatever is characteristic of progress in religious life in the West will be found in the churches of Wichita.
WICHITA'S FIRST CHURCH.
By HATTIE PALMER.
(In the "Kansas Magazine.")
Trade follows the flag, but civilization follows the church. In the frontier days of Kansas the Indian trading post and store was the first institution erected. Immediately afterward came the saloon to bid for a portion of the circulating capital. Soon afterward, a worthy competitor of the saloon, and companion of the trading post, came the church.
Wichita's first church was not an imposing structure. Archi- tecturally, it was not even so imposing as the "Bon Ton Saloon," operated by Charlie Schattner, the good-natured German in the next block. The first church was in striking contrast to the mag- ยท nificent structure of the Baptist denomination which is now near- ing completion in that city. Forty years have made great changes in Wichita, and the churches of the two periods might show the extreme of the development. Wichita's first house of worship did not cost a cent. The last one nearing completion will cost in the neighborhood of $100,000. But it is different now, and times have changed.
Early in the spring of 1868, the hundred or so people on the present townsite of Wichita discussed the advisability of erecting
370
HISTORY OF SEDGWICK COUNTY
a church. They had passed through the winter without a house of worship, and many of them were homesick for a real church. It was reasoned that if a church were built it would draw the people together in more common bonds of sympathy and would make it possible to enjoy at least one of the benefits of the civ- ilization which they had so recently left.
But the church was slow in materializing. Money was scarce; people were too busy providing for a home of their own, and there was not much enthusiasm generally in the church proposi- tion. But the faithful kept tirelessly at work. An Episcopal minister had recently arrived from England, and he put new energy into the work of building the church. J. R. Mead, now deceased, came forward with an offer to give the ground for the structure. Then William Smith, a sawmill man, who had moved to the place with his machinery, offered the refuse slabs from the cottonwood logs around his mill down near the Arkansas river. Enthusiasm grew with the summer and by the time the grass was green and the flowers were blooming out on the prairie, the church was commenced.
All of the townsmen turned out and gave a helping hand to the erection of the new church. The cottonwood slabs were hauled from the mill and within a week after active operations were com- menced the church was completed and ready for occupancy. The building was about thirty feet long by twelve feet wide. Posts of cottonwood logs were placed at the corners and at intervals on the sides. To these were nailed the slabs in a vertical position. Two windows were made on each side and a wide door was built in the front end. The roof was so low that a person of ordinary height was compelled to stoop on entering. While the sides of the structure were of wood, the roof was made of dirt. Boards were laid across from the side beams and on these was piled the earth, giving the roof an oval shape to turn aside the rain. But as it did not rain very often in those days, a waterproof roof was not considered in the plans. The boards upon which the earth was piled protruded in an uneven and zigzag fashion around the eaves. The antique style which is so popular at the present time would find many opportune suggestions in that first church.
Notwithstanding the crudeness of the outside appearance, the church was snug within. It was nicely seated with benches and through the efforts of the pastor's wife a carpet was spread on the bare floor. She worked night and day to make the church
311
PIONEER CHURCHES OF WICHITA
building homelike and inviting, and many tireless hours were spent in beautifying the interior to make it look like a real church and providing for the comforts which would attract the rough men of the village.
The Rev. J. P. Hilton was the first pastor, and he served in that capacity until the church was torn down two years later and a more imposing structure was erected. The Rev. Hilton was an Englishman and, it is said, he was one of the finest readers who ever expounded the Episcopal faith in Wichita or in Kansas. He was an earnest preacher, and with his estimable wife did much to preserve the spiritual dignity of the border settlement. He left Wichita in the early seventies and died a few years later at some place in the eastern part of the country.
Immediately after the church was completed, the entire popu- lation of the village turned out, and a group photograph was taken. The new church was a matter of concern to every citizen in the town and they were proud of their work. Prominent in the first picture were the vestrymen. That it was a cosmopolitan congregation is shown by the list of officers and their vocations. Among the vestrymen was William B. Hutchinson, the editor of the "Vidette," the first paper published in Wichita. Hutchinson was considerable of a "rounder" and was known as a bad man. Charles Schattner, the proprietor of the "Bon Ton" saloon, was another vestryman. Another was George Richards, a tramp printer. "Doctor" William Dow was another. He was a profes- sional gambler, and many shootings and killings were pulled off at his resort at that time. The cowboys and the wandering gam- blers made his place their headquarters and there was always danger for the unwary and the slow-on-the-trigger when the liquor began to flow and the cowpuncher's luck went against him at the poker table. The name of John Edward Martin completed the roll of the vestrymen.
The location of the church, which was in the first block north of the court house, on Main street, facing west, came near causing a killing. A few months after the church was erected, several of the members wanted it moved to a new location. Mr. Mead, who had given the original site for the building, offered it a new loca- tion near what is now the corner of Main street and Douglas ave- nue-the heart of Wichita. At that time the business portion of the town was in the neighborhood of Central avenue, four blocks from the present center of business activity. Mr. Mead owned the
372
HISTORY OF SEDGWICK COUNTY
quarter section along Douglas avenue extending from Lawrence avenue to the Arkansas river. Mr. Mead was convinced that in time the business section of the city would be located there. How- ever, some of the members of the congregation and officers thought differently, and a great discussion arose about the new location. William Hutchinson disliked Mr. Mead on account of the fact that the latter had fought against the principles for which the former stood. Hutchinson was a tough, while Mr. Mead stood for the law and decency. As a consequence, the two men had many differences and stormy meetings frequently occurred. At the meeting called to discuss the removal of the church to the new site, Hutchinson inferred that Mr. Mead regretted the donation of the building site for the church and was planning to get the build- ing moved away in order that he might use the plot of ground for speculative purposes. Hutchinson declared that Mr. Mead's desire to have the church removed farther south was prompted only by mercenary motives. He made a fiery speech against the proposi- tion, in which he said: "I don't care a d-n what the rest of you think of this change, but I want to go on record as being against any move to cheat Jesus Christ out of a foot of ground." The congregation was unable to agree, and as a result the church was not moved to the new location. The site offered by Mr. Mead is now worth many thousands of dollars.
It was a democratic congregation which assembled on Sunday morning to listen to the Rev. Hilton. The saloon-keepers and gamblers, who were the vestrymen, were true to their offices and were regular attendants at the services, as well as the best people of the town. It was the only church building in the section, and members of all denominations were urged to come and take part in the worship. Several people who are now residents of Wichita were members of that first congregation and many others are scattered throughout the country, while the greater number is dead.
The cowboys were also present at the services at different times. Church-going with them, however, was more of a novelty than a duty. When they came to town they came to see all of the sights, and the church was one of them. They were able to come to town not more than two or three times a year, and they stayed as long as their money lasted. The cowpuncher within seventy-five miles of Wichita who had not been an attendant at the little church was the exception and was looked down upon
373
PIONEER CHURCHES OF WICHITA
by his fellows. To miss it was like going to New York City and failing to see the Bowery or a visit to San Francisco which omitted the trip to Chinatown. Their horses were tethered on the outside and their decorum, while attending the services, was most admira- ble. They were devout as far as silence and attention were con- cerned. They held the church confines sacred and no guns were ever drawn within its portals. Differences often sprang up on the outside and blood stained the steps, but when the provocation arose which demanded redress at the pistol's point it was settled without desecrating the house of God.
Following the erection of the Episcopal church, the Presby- terians were the next to build. Their church was a more modern building than the first church, but there was probably no church ever erected which served its purpose better than the rude slab and dirt structure erected in 1868, where the saloon-keeper and the pious worshiped in common with one another. The church was torn down after it had done service for more than two years, and the congregation moved into a store building which was fitted up as a church. In the early seventies several other con- gregations started their churches in the vacant store buildings. These offered better accommodations than the old slab structure. Many of the rooms served for other purposes, and when Sunday arrived the benches were taken from the piles in the alley and placed in position for the worshipers.
The growth of the "church industry" in Wichita is typical of all Kansas. The forty years which have passed since the little low structure was erected have seen many wonderful strides in all lines. Less than a half mile from the site of the dirt-thatched structure there is nearing completion a new church building. It is of solid stone; it shows the perfection of the architect's and craftman's skill. It is built with the view of beauty, comfort and durability, and it cost thousands and thousands of dollars, but it represents not an iota more of the earnestness and devotion which inspired the erection of the cottonwood slab and dirt structure which housed the first congregation of worshipers in Wichita.
WICHITA CHURCHES OF TODAY.
From a wild and woolly frontier town in the early eighties, Wichita has been transformed into a city of schools and churches. Nearly every denomination is represented, and churches are now
374
HISTORY OF SEDGWICK COUNTY
building in this city that will cost $150,000 each. The following is a list of churches and church societies in this city :
Seventh Day Adventist Church. Dodge avenue, southeast corner Burton avenue; membership, 150; pastor, Rev. James Morrow; residence, No. 207 North Dodge.
First Baptist Church. Lawrence avenue, northwest corner Second; organized 1873; membership, 900; pastor, Rev. G. W. Cassidy; residence, No. 1203 North Wichita.
New Hope Baptist Church (Colored). No. 446 North Rock Island avenue; organized 1889; membership, 200; pastor, Rev. E. T. Fishback (colored) ; residence, No. 827 North Washington avenue.
Second Baptist Church (Colored). Water, northwest corner Elm; pastor, Rev. G. W. Smith (colored) ; residence, No. 212 West Elm.
Tabernacle Baptist Church (Colored). No. 834 North Water; pastor, Rev. M. L. Copeland (colored) ; residence, No. 1015 North Wichita.
West Side Baptist Church. Walnut, southwest corner Burton avenue; pastor, Rev. W. A. Ayres; residence, No. 212 South Exposition avenue.
St. Aloysius Pro-Cathedral Church. St. Francis avenue, southeast corner Second; rector, Rt. Rev. J. H. Tihen; residence, No. 244 St. Francis avenue.
St. Anthony German Catholic Church. Ohio avenue, south- east corner Second; pastor, Rev. C. B. Schoeppner; residence, No. 256 Ohio avenue.
Central Christian Mission. Fifteenth, northwest corner Mar- ket; organized 1910; membership, 50; pastor, Rev. E. A. Newby.
Christian Central Church of Christ. Market, southeast corner Second; organized 1880; membership, 1,200; pastor, Rev. Walter S. Priest ; residence, No. 724 North Lawrence avenue.
Christian Church of Christ. No. 201 Mathewson avenue; pas- tor, Rev. W. F. Parmiter; residence, 1806 North Waco avenue.
South Lawrence Avenue Christian Church. No. 1132 South Lawrence avenue; organized 1888; membership, 350; pastor, Rev. C. C. St. Clair; residence, No. 114 East Gilbert.
First Church of Christ Christian Scientist. No. 259 North Lawrence avenue; organized 1880; membership, 140; first reader, Mrs. A. M. McCune; second reader, Joel Tucker.
Second Church of Christ Christian Scientist. No. 217 North
375
PIONEER CHURCHES OF WICHITA
Lawrence avenue; organized 1908; membership, 52; first reader, Mrs. M. T. Jocelyn; second reader, E. E. Cornelius.
College Hill Congregational Church. Clifton avenue, north- east corner First; organized 1909; membership, 105; pastor, Rev. W. W. Bolt; residence, Lawrence, Kan.
Fairmount Congregational Church. Fairmount avenue, south- west corner Sixteenth; organized 1892; membership, 130; pas- tor, Rev. L. C. Markham; residence, 3235 East Twelfth.
Fellowship Congregational Church (Institutional). Kellogg, northeast corner Pattie avenue; organized 1905; membership, 130; pastor, Rev. J. Hammond Tice; residence, No. 925 Pattie avenue.
Plymouth Congregational Church. Lawrence avenue, south- east corner Second; organized 1883; membership, 464; pastor, Rev. N. O. Bartholomew; residence, 1439 North Topeka avenue.
Dunkard Brethren Church. St. Francis avenue, southeast cor- ner Eleventh; pastor, Rev. Jacob Funk; residence, 1105 Wabash avenue.
Dunkard Church. Fifteenth, northeast corner Grove; mem- bership, 40; pastor, Rev. Samuel M. Brown; residence, 1554 Riddell.
All Saints' Episcopal Church. No. 216 South Handley ave- nue; organized 1906; membership, 30; rector, Rev. Robert Flock- hart; rooms, 1624 University avenue.
St. John's Episcopal Church. No. 402 North Topeka avenue; rector, Rev. P. T. Fenn; residence, 416 East Third.
St. Stephen's Episcopal Church. First, northwest corner New York; organized 1907; membership, 40; rector, Rev. John E. Flockhart; rooms, 1624 University avenue.
Friends Church. No. 124 Cleveland avenue.
Friends North End Church. Main, southwest corner Twenty- first; pastor, Rev. O. A. Winslow; residence, 2147 North Main.
Friends University Church. Hiram avenue, west end Univer- sity avenue; organized 1899; membership, 500; pastor, Rev. L. E. Stout ; residence, 510 South Fern avenue.
German Evangelical Church. Market, northwest corner Waterman; organized 1889; membership, 45; pastor, Rev. Karl Feldman; residence, 114 East Waterman.
St. Paul's English Evangelical Lutheran Church. Meets in Philharmony Hall, No. 217 North Lawrence avenue; organized
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HISTORY OF SEDGWICK COUNTY
1909; membership, 50; pastor, Rev. G. G. Clark; residence, 919 South Emporia avenue.
College Hill Methodist Episcopal Church, First, northwest corner Erie avenue; organized 1908; membership, 110; pastor, Rev. W. T. Ward; residence, 119 South Estelle avenue.
Emporia Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church. Emporia ave- nue, southwest corner Dewey avenue; organized 1878; member- ship, 400; pastor, Rev. C. D. Hestwood; residence, 603 South Emporia avenue.
First Free Methodist Church, No. 1102 Anderson avenue; pastor, Rev. F. S. Atwell; residence, 1104 Anderson avenue.
First Methodist Episcopal Church, No. 326 North Lawrence avenue; membership, 1,200; pastor, Rev. W. H. Heppe; resi- dence, 421 North Topeka avenue.
German Methodist Episcopal Church, Lulu avenue, southwest corner Prince; organized 1878; membership, 100; pastor, Rev. C. L. Koerner; residence, No. 437 Ida avenue.
Harry Street Methodist Episcopal Church, Harry, southwest corner Main; organized 1907; membership, 100; pastor, Rev. R. A. Spencer ; residence, No. 1431 South Wichita.
St. Paul's African Methodist Episcopal Church (Colored). No. 523 North Water; pastor, Rev. James T. Smith (colored) ; residence, No. 521 North Water.
St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal Church. Lawrence avenue, southeast corner Thirteenth; organized 1887; membership, 600; pastor, Rev. G. E. Pickard; residence, No. 1547 Park place.
Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church, Martinson avenue, southwest corner Maple; organized 1881; membership, 500; pastor, Rev. A. B. Hestwood; residence, No. 415 South Martinson avenue.
Calvary Presbyterian Church. No. 1900 North Market; or- ganized 1895; membership, 122; pastor, Rev. G. R. Anderson; residence, 1841 North Market.
College Hill United Presbyterian Church. Green avenue, southwest corner First; pastor, Rev. William N. Leeper; resi- dence, 229 North Estelle avenue.
First Presbyterian Church. No. 340 North Market; organ- ized 1870; membership, 900; pastor, Rev. Thomas Parry; resi- dence, 1039 North Lawrence avenue.
First United Presbyterian Church, No. 1122 East First; pas- tor, J. A. Greer; residence, No. 207 Ohio avenue.
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PIONEER CHURCHES OF WICHITA
Grace Presbyterian Church. No. 124 Cleveland avenue; or- ganized May 12, 1909; membership, 160; pastor, Rev. Charles W. Blake; residence, No. 303 Mathewson avenue.
Lincoln Street Presbyterian Church. Emporia avenue, north- east corner Lincoln; organized 1885; membership, 200; pastor, Rev. J. T. May; residence, No. 915 Pattie avenue.
Linwood Presbyterian Chapel. Harry, southeast corner Laura avenue; pastor, Rev. J. T. May; residence, No. 915 Pattie avenue.
Oak Street Presbyterian Church. South Murdock ave- nue, opposite Cherry; organized 1887; membership, 150; pastor, Rev. E. P. Elcock; residence, No. 802 Cleveland avenue.
West Side Presbyterian Church. Dodge avenue, northwest corner Texas avenue; organized 1890; membership, 250; pastor, Rev. W. M. Irwin; residence, No. 121 South Dodge avenue.
Brown Memorial Reformed Church. South Topeka avenue, southeast corner Lewis; organized 1885; membership, 180; pas- tor, Rev. Samuel B. Yockey; residence, No. 921 South Emporia avenue.
American Salvation Army. No. 528 West Douglas avenue ; Capt. James Pernett.
The Salvation Army. Nos. 126-128 North Topeka avenue; Adjt. Fred M. Andrus; Lieut. Wilson Law.
First Unitarian Church. Central avenue, southeast corner Topeka avenue: organized 1886; pastor, Rev. Edward Day; resi- dence, No. 3215 East Douglas avenue.
First United Brethren Church. No. 200 South Washington avenue; organized 1882; membership, 220; pastor, Rev. E. H. Wilson; residence, No. 212 South Washington avenue.
United Brethren, Kriebel Chapel. No. 1129 Hendryx avenue; organized 1906; membership, 45; pastor, Rev. D. H. Sill; resi- dence, 817 Munnell avenue.
Waco Avenue United Brethren Church. Waco avenue, cor- ner Eleventh street; organized 1905; membership, 59; pastor, Rev. J. E. Wilson; residence, No. 1309 Jackson avenue.
First Universalist Church. Market street, corner Kellogg street; organized 1901; membership, 110; pastor, Rev. G. A. King; residence, 121 East Kellogg street.
In favor of the moral uplift of the city it can be said that all of the churches and church societies are in a most flourishing condition.
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HISTORY OF SEDGWICK COUNTY
YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.
By
CLIFFORD PIERCE,
General Secretary.
The first Young Men's Christian Association meeting in Wich- ita was held in the office of Dr. W. M. Johnson, October 23, 1885. The call for this meeting read as follows:
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