USA > Missouri > Jackson County > Kansas City > Kansas City, Missouri : its history and its people 1808-1908 > Part 31
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Graduates of the Scarritt Bible and Training school have entered the mission field in China, Japan, Siam, India, Brazil and Mexico; others have taken service in the home mission work in Kansas City and other cities, and one served as a nurse with the army in Florida during the Spanish-American war. Miss Maria Layng Gibson has served as principal and secretary of the board of managers from the opening of the school to the present time. For seven years previous she conducted a private school and engaged in missionary work in Covington, Ky.
The institution was founded upon a bequest made by the Rev. Dr Nathan Scarritt. In 1889 he offered the site upon which the school now stands, then worth $15,000, with $25,000 in cash, for the establishment of a missionary training school under the direction of the Women's Board of Missions of the Methodist Episcopal church (south), on condition that an additional sum of $25,000 be secured to aid in the purpose. The offer was accepted by the executive committee of the board, and Dr. Scarritt prepared the plans which ultimately were followed in all material respects. Doubt arose as to the legal authority of the committee, and in order to avoid possible embarrassment in the future, the entire matter was held in abeyance until the annual meeting of the Women's Missionary society in May, 1890, in connection with the General Conference in St. Louis. Dr. Scarritt was present, but before final action could be had he was taken ill and was obliged to return home. While he was on his deathbed and but a few hours before the end, favorable action was taken by the Women's Mission society, and the secretary of that body, Maria L. Gibson, advised him of the fact by telegraph.
Kansas City has been the residence of one of the bishops of the Methodist Episcopal church (South) for many years, Eugene Russell Hendrix, D. D., LL. D. Bishop Hendrix ranks high as a scholar, preacher and presiding officer. He was born May 17, 1847, in Fayette, Howard county, Missouri. He is descended from well blended Dutch and Scotch ancestry, and belongs immediately to a family conspicuous through various of its members, in the history of his native state, in religious and educational concerns, and in the financial field. He was educated at Central College, Fayette, Mo., and at the Wesleyan university, Middletown, Conn. He was graduated from the latter institution in 1867, when he was twenty years old, and was awarded the first prize for oratory. He then entered Union Theological seminary, New York city, from which he was graduated in 1869. He began his ministerial work in the year of his graduation. He in turn occupied pastorates in the Metho- dist church (South) as follows: Macon, Mo., 1870-72; St. Joseph, Mo., 1872- 76; Glasgow, Mo., 1877. In 1878 he was elected president of Central College at Fayette, Mo., and he remained at the head of that institution until he was called to the service of the church and elected as one of the bishops, May 8, 1886.
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In recognition of his scholarly attainments and of his ability as a divine, the Rev. Mr. Hendrix received the degree of doctor of divinity from Emory College at Oxford, Ga., in 1878. At a later day, for similar reasons, and in testimony of his great service in behalf of higher education, the degree of doctor of laws was conferred upon him by the University of North Carolina and by Washington-Lee University. At other times signal recognition came to him in proffers of the presidency of the University of Missouri and of the vice-chancellorship of Vanderbilt University, both of which he declined.
Although Missouri was visited by Methodist preachers as early as 1806, the first notice of the Methodist Episcopal church in the western part, and after the "separation," dates from 1845-6, when the Rev. William Ferrill traveled in the interest of the denomination through Jackson and adjoining counties. In September, 1846, a quarterly conference was held at Pleasant Hill, and subsequently in neighboring places until 1859, when Kansas City was "supplied" by the Rev. William Ferrill; in 1860 by the Rev. William Pile; in 1861-62 by the Rev. W. S. Wontz and others; and in 1863 by the Rev. Alfred H. Powell, who held meetings by invitation in the Southern Methodist church on Wyandotte street, near Fifth street, his membership num- bering between fifty and sixty.
The minutes of 1864-65 report Kansas City in the Hannibal district, and supplied by Calvin Allen, having fifty-two members, two local preachers, two baptisms and $17.50 for missions. In the spring of 1865 the Rev. T. H. Hagerty was appointed presiding elder of the newly formed Jefferson City district, and on a visit to Kansas City found a few scattering members. He secured the Rev. J. F. Newsly from the Pittsburg conference for the pastorate, and then the Rev. Stephen G. Griffis. For a year the congregation nad no settled place of worship; they meet now in a hall, now in a private house, and again in the government barracks, until a lot was bought on Walnut street, which was afterward sold to purchase the site of the Grand Avenue church, at Ninth street and Grand avenue. This lot was at that time an unsightly hol- low and side-hill, costing much to level it.
The report for that year shows 116 members, twenty probationers, thir- teen Sunday school officers and teachers, fifty scholars, $56 for benevolences, and property valued at $1,000, with the first entry for salary. The foundation of the church was laid but work was discontinued for lack of funds. In 1867, under the pastorate of Rev. J. N. Pierce, the basement was completed and oc- cupied, the congregation meanwhile worshiping in a frame building on Balti- more avenue. In 1869 the main auditorium was erected, and the edifice was dedicated in 1870 under the pastorate of Rev. J. W. Bushong. Improvements were made in the church in 1882 and 1886. For more than a quarter of a century William II. Reed was superintendent of the Sunday school. He, with
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others, contributed greatly to the success of this mother church, from which have sprung, directly or indirectly, many churches now existing in this city. The membership of the Grand Avenue church in 1908 was about 1,000.
Liberty Street church was founded through the efforts of several members of the Grand Avenue church. The organization was effected by the Rev. Mathew Lorson, presiding elder, and Thomas Wolcutt, a missionary. At first the meetings were held in a schoolhouse at the corner of Mulberry street and Union avenue. The site at the corner of Liberty and Joy streets was bought and there a frame chapel was dedicated in 1871 in the pastorate of the Rev. A. Waitman. Owing to the encroachments of business, the little congregation became dispersed, and in 1899 the church was closed. The property was valued at $15,000.
Summit Street church first began as a Sunday school held in a pasture. The Rev. W. T. Neff was appointed to the charge in 1881. The building was erected in1883. Dundee Place church was organized in 1883, by the consoli- dation of the Sixteenth street and the Eighteenth street missions under the pastorate of the Rev. L. R Carpenter, who with A. Zartman and W. H. Craig constituted the building committee. The eligible site at Fifteenth street and Troost avenue was purchased and the edifice was erected in 1884. The church was torn down in 1903 to make room for another building, the Scottish Rite Temple.
Arlington church had its beginning in May, 1855, as a Sunday school at the residence of George S. Graham, on Chestnut avenue, when Mr. Graham, with A. Zartman and others of Dundee Place church rented a mission hall at Eighteenth street and Montgall avenue. Here, September 19, 1886, under the pastoral leadership of F. B. Price, the society was organized with eighteen members, increased by the following spring to more than 100. Ground was secured and plans were chosen for an edifice at the corner of Prospect avenue and Seventeenth street, and it was dedicated September 25, 1887, the otl:cr churches assisting.
Independence Avenue church grew out of the effort of the pastor of Grand Avenue church, the Rev. C. W. Parsons, and his coworkers, who held cottage meetings in the vicinity. July 11, 1886, the Rev. F. B. Price, who had been appointed assistant pastor of Grand Avenue church, organized a Sunday school in Morley's hall, with M. F. Simmons as superintendent. He also held regular services until the following spring, the present site at the corner of Independence boulevard and Olive street having been purchased and the building started. The Rev. J. S. Bitler conducted a tent meeting in the sum- mer of 1887. Seventy-four members of the Grand Avenue church were trans- ferred to the new society, July 11, 1888. The first regular pastor was the Rev. G. W. Miller, who arrived in October of that year. In his term the main
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edifice was built, and was dedicated September 5, 1892. His successors have been the Rev. J. Z. Armstrong, the Rev. W. A. Quayle and the Rev. M. S. Hughes. The society is the largest of its denomination in the city, numbering more than 1,000 members.
Howard Memorial church was constituted a charge in 1887. The build- ing on Springfield avenue, near Holmes street, was dedicated by Bishop Thoburn, June 19, 1887. The City Missionary and Church Extension Society was organized in the study of the Grand Avenue church, May 24, 1888, for the purpose of extending and fostering the interests of the denomination. The officers were: President, W. W. Kendall; vice president, O. M. Stewart; sec- retary, F. B. Price; and treasurer, J. W. Tullis. D. F. Stiles served as city missionary until the spring of 1889, when he was succeeded by F. B. Price, who served four years. Under the auspices of the society the following en- terprises have been established: Centropolis in 1889, supplied by city mis- sionary ; Oakley, in 1889, supplied by city missionary and pastors; Kensing- ton, in 1889, supplied by city missionary and several pastors; Indiana avenue, in 1890, supplied by city missionary and several pastors. Meanwhile Ivanhoe, McGee street, Highland avenue and Sixth ward missions were opened in needy communities, and were maintained until absorbed by existing organ- izations.
One of the most popular Methodist preachers in Kansas City was the Rev. William A. Quayle, elected bishop, May 25, 1908. He was born in Parkville, Mo., June 25, 1860. His parents were inhabitants of the Isle of Man. Dr. Quayle was educated at Baker University, Baldwin City, Kansas, graduating in 1885. In his university course he earned money by tutoring, and in 1886 became adjunct professor of languages at the Baldwin City insti- tution. The following year he received the appointment of pastor to the Methodist church at Osage City, Kansas, but in 1888 returned to Baker Uni- versity as professor of Greek. In 1890 he was elected president of the uni- versity. Dr. Quayle came to Kansas City in 1895 and for three years was pastor of the Independence Avenue church. He then went to Indianapolis for three years and returned to Kansas City to take the pastorate of the Grand Avenue church.
With Bishop Vincent, in 1902, Dr. Quayle represented the United States in the British Wesleyan conference, in Manchester, England. Dr Quayle had been pastor of St. James' Methodist Episcopal church of Chicago for five years, when he was elected bishop. He has a wide reputation as a preacher, lecturer and author.
In Rev. Matt S. Hughes, D. D., the congregation of the Independence Avenue Methodist church found a worthy successor of the Rev. William A. Quayle. Dr. Hughes was born in Doddridge county, Virginia, in 1863. His father, the Rev. Thomas B. Hughes, was a prominent preacher in the East.
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Dr. Hughes received his preparatory training at Lindsley Institute, in Mor- gantown, W. Va., and was later graduated from the University of West Vir- ginia. While in college he engaged in newspaper work and upon his gradua- tion was made city editor of the Daily State Journal of Parkersburg, W. Va. While he held this city desk he was engaged in politics and in 1887 made his first political speech. Immediately after his first successes in politics, he decided to enter the ministry and began the study of theology. Dr. Hughes entered the Iowa conference and his first charge was a country circuit at $400 a year. His first pastorate was the church of Malcolm, Iowa; where he was very successful. When he left Malcolm five churches asked for him, but he was sent to Grinnell, Iowa, where he succeeded his father. In 1889 Dr. Hughes was chosen to fill the pulpit of one of the largest churches in Port- land, Maine. Great success followed him there, and four years later, when he took charge of a church in Minneapolis, he was known as a preacher of great ability and an eloquent speaker. When Dr. Quayle left the Independence Avenue Methodist church in 1898, Dr. Hughes accepted the call.
The adherents of the Baptist faith met, April 2, 1855, in the building of the Southern Methodist church at Fifth and Wyandotte streets and organ- ized the United Baptist church of Kansas City. The names of the constituent members were: Robert Holmes, Mary Ann Holmes, Thomas M. James, Sarah James, A. J. Martin, Elizabeth M. Martin, D. L. Mimms, Martha A. Lykins, Dr. Johnston Lykins and Julia Lykins, afterward Mrs. Theodore S. Case. The Rev. R. S. Thomas, then president of William Jewell College, was the first pastor and he wisely directed the affairs of the church in the early years of its existence.
A church building was erected at the corner of Eighth and May streets, but it was not entirely completed until 1867. The Rev. Mr. Thomas preached the first sermon in the new church building, but, unfortunately, it was his last also, for death came to him shortly afterward. Early in its history the work of the church had an impetus through the efforts of Rev. A. P. Williams, at that time the most eminent Baptist preacher in Missouri. Later came the Rev. J. W. Warder, and later still the Rev. J. C. Maple, and later still came the Rev. F. M. Ellis, who afterwards rose to eminence as pastor in Denver, Boston, Baltimore and Brooklyn. The church occupied the old site at Eighth and May streets until 1880, when the site at Twelfth street and Baltimore avenue was purchased by Colonel W. H. Harris and Mrs. Harris, who erected the building and presented it to the church. The church complete cost about $30,000. The pastor at the time was the Rev. J. C. Bohan. The church property at Twelfth street and Baltimore avenue was sold for $150,000 in 1908 and the congrega- tion erected a large stone church at the corner of Linwood boulevard and Park avenue. The building is of the English Gothic style of architecture and, with the equipment, cost $100,000. The pastor in 1908 was the Rev. Benjamin
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Otto. His predecessor was the Rev. Stephen A. Northrup, who was pastor for nine years. During the pastorate of Dr. Northrup the membership of the church increased from 650 to 1,000. Dr. Northrup was called to a pastorate in Los Angeles, Cal.
The Calvary Baptist church was organized in 1876 with thirty-eight members. The first pastor was the Rev. J. E. Cambliss. He was succeeded,; January 22, 1882, by the Rev. J. O'B. Lowry. In 1882 the congregation worshiped in a brick building situated at Eleventh street and Grand avenue, the present site of the Kansas City Star building. The church had a member- ship of 126. A handsome church was built at Ninth and Harrison streets in 1889 and was dedicated September 21, 1890, by the late Dr. John A. Broadus. Largely through Dr. Lowry's efforts the present home of the church was built. Dr. Lowry saw the congregation grow from 126 persons to a membership of more than 800. The Rev. F. C. McConnell succeeded Dr. Lowry in Sep- tember, 1903.
A Baptist city mission was formed in 1880. Through the efforts of this organization, in co-operation with the Blue river association and the Board of Missouri Baptist general association, missions have been established and new churches organized and aided until they number half a score, with a member- ship of about 3,000. These are. Olive Street church, where Rev. W. T. Camp- bell was the first pastor, and through whose labors a self-sustaining church was established and a house of worship erected; the Immanuel church, the Tabernacle, the Elmwood, the South Park, the Michigan avenue, Second church, colored; the Scandanavian church and several others. The West- port church is one of the oldest in point of organization. There the Hon. John B. Wornall lived and labored for many years.
"The personal element is an interesting part of the history of progress. In a new country subsoil plows are in demand, and Providence sent into Missouri stalwart men as Christian pioneers. With those already mentioned, the names of F. W. Ferguson and Honorable John L. Peak, late United States minister to Switzerland, are connected with the cause of its earlier and later development. In the business world, Baptist laymen are worthily prominent. In 1898 the Calvary congregation furnished five chairman of committees in the leading commercial body of the city. The religious, social and commercial influence of the denomination is felt in the civic life."
The first Church of the Disciples, of Kansas City, known as the Christian church, was established in 1855. The meetings were held in a log cabin until the City Hall was built, when that building was used. Four years later, in 1859, the congregation decided to build a house of worship. Judge T. A. Smart gave the lot and a house was built on what is now the northwest corner of Twelfth and Main streets, then Main and Ottawa streets. T. P. Haley
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preached the dedicatory sermon. Business had encroached upon the church in 1880 to such an extent that its property was sold and the meetings were held for a short time in the hall over a grocery store at 1121 Main street. The large and commodious hall of the Knights of Pythias, at Eleventh and Main streets, was secured The church used this hall until the basement of the new church, then being built at the northwest corner of Eleventh and Locust streets, was finished.
The Rev. T. P. Haley became pastor of the church in 1881. In the spring of 1884 the church at the northwest corner of Eleventh and Locust streets was finished, at a cost of $42,000. Under the pastorate of the Rev. T. P. Haley the church grew very rapidly and in a short time the missionary spirit had stirred the congregation and missions were established from which the following churches have grown: West Side Christian church, Independ- ence Avenue Christian church, South Prospect Christian church, Linwood Boulevard Christian church, Ivanhoe Park Christian church, Jackson Avenue Christian church, Budd Park Christian church, and the Sheffield Christian church. The Christian churches in Kansas City have a total membership of about 8,000.
The Independence Boulevard Christian church, at Gladstone and Inde- pendence boulevards, was completed at a cost of $125,000. Of this amount R. A. Long, the lumber dealer, gave $70,000. The new church, dedicated September 17, 1905, is a handsome house of worship. The church was built after the Grecian Ionic style as far as compatible with the requirements of modern church usage. The main floor of the church is elevated a little above the sidewalk and is reached by wide steps through a great portico.
The auditorium has the form of a Greek cross having shallow arms, the in- tersections of which are surmounted by a low dome, furnishing light through a shallow inner dome directly over the center of the main auditorium. The auditorium is further lighted by windows in three of the arms of the cross. The fourth arm is occupied by the pulpit, organ and other equipments of the church service. The auditorium has a seating capacity of about 1.200, with the possibility of a limited extension and increase by filling out the gallery space. The gallery is in the form of a horseshoe, inclosing three sides so arranged as to bring the gallery close to the pulpit.
The exterior of the building is constructed largely in cut stone, Phoenix stone being used for the lower story and blue Bedford stone for the rest of the work. The large electroliers flanking the main portico are of bronze metal. The six great columns of the main portico are monolithic, consisting of a single stone each from the base to the capital, with no horizontal joints, and are the largest monolithic columns in this part of the country.
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The congregation now worshiping in the new church is twenty-one years old. Dr. John A. Brooke, who ran with Clinton B. Fiske on the prohibition ticket for vice president, was the first pastor. Dr. Brooke was pastor of the church for five years and was succeeded in 1892 by the present pastor, the Rev. George H. Combs. One of the three handsome memorial windows in the church is in memory of Dr. Brooke.
When the Rev. Mr. Combs first came to Kansas City he had a congre- gation which numbered 260 persons. Within the fifteen years that he has had charge of the Christian church the congregation has grown from 260 to 2,200 persons. The church on Sixth street and Prospect avenue was a small brick building, while the present church on Independence and Gladstone boulevards is a magnificent edifice. The church is considered the largest in numbers and point of strength in the Christian brotherhood.
The Rev. Mr. Combs is one of the widest and most favorably known ministers of his denomination in the country. He has done considerable lectur- ing on literary and religious subjects throughout America and has written three or more books on theology and its practical relation to the world. These books are: "Some Later Day Religions," "The New Socialism," "Christ in Modern English Literature," and he is now at work upon a collection of his addresses and sermons which he has delivered before the larger universities of the country.
The advancement of the Presbyterian church in Kansas City has been slow but substantial. About one-tenth of the religious organizations of the city belong to the Presbyterian denomination. Most of them being strong and working in harmony, they have been recognized as among the foremost fac- tors in the city's religious life and development. Their common interests are exemplified and promoted by a vigorous Presbyterian Alliance, composed of the ministers of the city belonging to the various denominations holding the Presbyterian system.
The following list comprises the organizations formed by Presbyterian bodies within the present limits of Kansas City: West Cumberland Presby- terian, organized in 1852; First Presbyterian, 1857; Second Presbyterian, 1865; Central Presbyterian, Southern, 1866; United Presbyterian, 1869; Third Presbyterian, 1870; First Cumberland Presbyterian, 1878; Fourth Pres- byterian, 1882; Fifth Presbyterian, 1882; German Reformed, 1888; Linwood Presbyterian, 1890; and Westminster (Independent), 1895. A number of missions, some of them still flourishing, have been supported in various parts of the city without resulting organizations. With scarcely an exception each of these organizations has required assistance from the Board of Home Mis- sions and of Church Erection before reaching self-support.
ST. PAUL'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
AL
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M. E. CHURCH, SOUTH, MT. WASHINGTON
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In a growing city many of the older localities so changed in the character of their population and business as to become unsuitable for churches. Though now excellently situated and equipped, not one of these organizations has been successful in doing its appropriate work until suitably housed in its own build- ing in a suitable location. Large credit is due in every instance to lay workers, most of whom have been no less prominent in business, professional and social circles than in the church.
What is popularly called the Presbyterian church, North, was the pioneer exponent of Presbyterianism in the immediate vicinity of Kansas City. Per- haps the earliest Presbyterian preaching in this part of the state was by the Rev. N. B. Dodge, a Vermont man who had come to Missouri in 1820 as one of a band of missionaries to the Osage Indians. He was stationed at Harmony Mission, in the southern part of Bates county, but is known to have preached ocasionally in Independence as early as 1829. By the mission to which he belonged, Osage Presbytery, new school, was organized. No permanent Pres- byterian organization was made in Jackson county until the First Presbyterian church of Independence was organized by Dr. J. L. Yantis, November 21, 1841. It was connected with the Presbytery of Upper Missouri, and later with that of Lafayette, old school. At the reunion of the old school and the new school denominations in 1870, the Presbyteries of Lafayette and Osage, and a part of the Presbytery of Lexington, new school, were united under the name of Osage Presbytery. In 1887 the name was changed to the Presbytery of Kansas City.
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