USA > Missouri > Jackson County > Kansas City > Kansas City, Missouri : its history and its people 1808-1908 > Part 32
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The first Presbyterian organization within the present limits of Kansas City was made by Lafayette Presbytery, in Westport, December 23, 1850, with eleven members. This church, although it erected a brick building and seemed promising at first, never was successfully revived after the Civil war, which destroyed nearly all the church organizations in this part of the state.
The first Presbyterian church of Kansas City was organized by the Pres- bytery of Lafayette with fourteen members, May 25, 1857, the minister was the Rev. R. S. Symington, who remained until the outbreak of the Civil war. The first members of the church were C. M. Root, W. P. Allen, S. J Platt, J. C. McCoy, Ruth Allen, Martha Shouse, Charlotte Campbell, Adaline Norton, Mrs. W. A. Hopkins, Mrs. T. B. Hale, Mrs. J. A. Boarman, Mrs. Mariah Gilham, and P. S. Brown and Mrs. Brown, who united with the church May 22, 1859
The first Presbyterian congregation built a frame church in 1858 on the north side of Third street, between Main and Walnut streets, on the ground owned by J. C. McCoy. The second pastor, the Rev. John Hancock, came in 1860. Between 1863 and 1866 the church was without a building, using a Baptist church at Eighth and Main streets, the Christian church at Twelfth
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and Main streets, and Long's hall, near Fifth and Main streets. In 1863 came the Rev. George Miller.
In the Civil war the building of the First Presbyterian church, situated on Third street, between Main and Walnut streets, was used for military pur- poses and the congregation was forced to worship elsewhere. For about two years the pastor was the Rev. George Miller, D. D., then recently from South Carolina, his native state. He came in 1862 in response to a unique invita- tion to "preach to the loyal people of Kansas City." This invitation was signed by two Presbyterian elders and by some Baptists, Episcopalians, Meth- odists and Congregationalists. The next minister was the Rev. D. L. Yantis, who served two years until the church divided. The pastor and the part of the congregation adhering to what was then known as the "Declaration and Testimony party," formed the Central Presbyterian church in connection with the Southern Assembly. The other portion, retaining the name of the First Presbyterian church, erected in 1866 a brick church building which was then the most costly in the city, on the site of the present Exchange building at Eighth and Wyandotte streets. This building was wrecked by a tornado the next year, rebuilt at once, destroyed again by fire in 1869, and its walls blown by another tornado soon after.
Beginning again on a new site, the congregation erected a frame building at 1013 Grand avenue, which was used until 1883 when the present handsome brick structure was built at Tenth and Forest avenue. Before this last building was completed a third tornado took off part of its roof. This church has been served by able pastors, prominent among them being the Rev. Robert Irwin, for many years the president of Lindenwood Female college; the Rev. Horace C. Hovey, a distinguished scientist, later pastor in Newburyport, Mass., the late Rev. Samuel B. Bell, editor of the Mid Continent; the Rev. D. Schley Schaff, later professor of church history in Lane Theological seminary; the Rev. George P. Wilson, later pastor in Washington; and the Rev. Horace C. Stanton, whose successful pastorate of eight years closed June 1, 1889. The Rev. William Carter, Ph. D., came to the church, October 10, 1899, when it had a membership of 400. The Rev. Frank S. Arnold became pastor of the church in December, 1906.
At the close of the Civil war the Board of Home Missions, new school, sent the Rev. Timothy Hill, D. D., to Kansas City to organize a church. Dr. A. T. Norton, district secretary for the board, and Dr. Hill organized the Sec- ond Presbyterian church in connection with the Presbytery of Lexington, July 15, 1865. Beginning with only ten persons, seven of them women, it grew rapidly. All expected great things, and planned accordingly. The pastor secured liberal assistance from the East, which, added to a like amount raised at home, enabled the congregation to erect, at 809 Wyandotte street the first
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church building dedicated in the city after the war. Six other churches were built about the same time. Its original cost was $4,500. It soon was enlarged at a cost of $1,200 more, and a $600 organ was added. Under a succession of energetic, scholarly and eloquent pastors, the Second church has kept its early prestige among the churches of the city and of the state. Dr. Hill re- signed in October, 1868, to become district secretary for home missions in the state of Missouri, and the territory south and west. During his incumbency, sixty-six persons were admitted to membership. He was succeeded by Dr. Charles D. Nott, under whom thirty-seven members were received. The first installed pastor was the Rev. William M. Cheever, whose death, June 2, 1878, removed one of the best beloved pastors who has ever served a church in Kansas City. During the six and one-half years of his pastorate, there was one remarkable revival and a constant series of accessions, the entire number joining under his care being 281, of whom 124 were upon confession of faith.
In the pastorate of Dr. Charles C. Kimball, 178 persons were added to the church in two years, and the erection of a building at Thirteenth and Central streets opposite Convention Hall was begun. The church and the parsonage adjoining cost about $90,000. While occupying that building the church had three pastors. Under Dr. Charles L. Thompson, 1882-88, 562 members were received. He was elected moderator of the Centennial General assembly in 1888, and later went to New York City and bcame a secretary of the Board of Home Missions. The late Dr. George P. Hays, for eleven years president of Washington and Jefferson college, gave five years of faith- ful service, 1888-93, during which time there were 255 additions. The next pastor, Dr. Herman D. Jenkins, was installed November 21, 1895. During four years and nine months of his pastorate which closed August 1, 1900, 396 members were added to the church.
This church has ever been noted for its missionary spirit and benevolent activities. By liberal gifts of members as well as of money, it assisted in the founding of each of the younger Presbyterian churches in the city. It is thor- oughly organized and well officered in all departments of church work. Dr. E. W. Schauffler, a practicing physician, has been the superintendent of its Sunday school for nearly Thirty years.
The disastrous fire of April.4, 1900, that destroyed Convention hall, the Lathrop school and much other property, destroyed also the handsome church building and parsonage of the Second Presbyterian church. The church then held its services in Music Hall, 913 Broadway. Its former site was sold to the Board of Education for school purposes. The church bought a new building site at Fifteenth street and Broadway, where they erected a fine church build- ing. Rev. George Reynolds is the pastor.
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The Third Presbyterian church was organized February 27, 1870, with eight members. Through the influence of Dr. Timothy Hill and other mem- bers of the Presbytery of Lexington-new school-with which the church was connected, a frame church building costing $2,000, was built on lots given, at the northwest corner of Fourteenth and Hickory streets. That portion of the city was then filling up with the best class of railroad men and mechanics. During the eighteen years the church remained in the "West bottoms" it had several pastors, prominent among whom were Dr. D. C. Milner, 1871-75, long connected with the Armour mission in Chicago, and later pastor of the Central Presbyterian church of Joliet, Ill .; and the late Rev. Lycurgus Rallsback who served from 1875 to 1883. The encroachments of business and the changing character of the population led to the sale of the original church property and the erection in 1886 of a new building at 1413 Genesee street, and soon after to the seeking for a new location in an entirely different part of the city. A site was chosen and a building erected at Thirtieth and Walnut streets, where the Rev. Wm. S. Smalley now (1908) has charge.
The Fourth Presbyterian church grew out of a mission begun by the Second Presbyterian church in 1881, at Twenty-first street and Madison avenue. It was established by the Rev. J. H. Miller, who at that time was preaching at the Second Presbyterian church. It was organized with twenty- five members, September 5, 1882, by a committee of presbytery consisting of Dr. J. H. Miller, Dr. Timothy Hill and Elder Jonathan Ford. No sooner had the Second Presbyterian church provided a comfortable home of its own than it erected a frame building at 1747 Belleview avenue for the Fourth Presbyter- ian church. There Dr. Miller remained as pastor from 1882-88, when, owing to a change in the character of the surrounding population, the building was sold to the Swedish Baptists and a new location was sought on the east side of the city.
The Fifth Presbyterian church established was organized with seventeen members, October 18, 1882, by a committee of presbytery consisting of Dr. J. H. Miller, Dr. Timothy Hill and C. L. Thompson. By the aid of the Sec- ond church a frame chapel was secured at Fifteenth street and Lydia avenue where the congregation worshiped until in 1886 when a brick building was erected at Twelfth street and Brooklyn avenue. Later, in 1907, the congrega- tion moved to its new $70,000 edifice on Twelfth street and Prospect avenue. Rev. James L. McKee is the pastor.
The Linwood Presbyterian church grew out of a Sunday school estab- lished in the southeastern part of the city by the Second church. The Rev. Charles W. Hays, then a theological student, son of Dr. George P. Hays, pas- tor of the Second Presbyterian church, formed an organization which was ef- fected with twenty-one members October 12, 1890, by a committee of presby- tery consisting of Dr. George P. Hays and Dr. C. H. Bruce. An excellent
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site was secured by the Men's League of the Second Presbyterian church and work begun at once on a frame chapel, at the southeast corner of Woodland avenue and Linwood boulevard. At present the Rev. Harry C. Rogers is in charge.
The establishment of the Protestant Episcopal church in Kansas City was accomplished only after many discouragements and much persistent effort At the beginning members of this church were few and their means were lim- ited. Until 1868 the local mother church was assisted by the Missionary board. In that year it became self-supporting, and soon after began its liberal contributions for church establishments and charity work in less favored fields.
Bishop Cicero S. Hawks visited Kansas City in September, 1857, and addressed a large congregation. In November, 1857, he sent the Rev. Joseph I. Corbyn who held his first service November 15, 1857, in the old Methodist church on Fifth street. St. Luke's church was organized December 14, 1857, and received its name at a special request of Bishop Hawks; among the first vestrymen were John C. Ranson, John Q. Watkins, William Gillis, S. H. Calhoun, W. Boyer and R. Everingham. Easter services in 1858 were held in the courthouse, and there were then only five communicants. In May, 1858, St. Luke's church was received into union with the convention of the diocese of Missouri. The first confirmation and celebration of the holy communion occurred October 11, 1858, Bishop Hawks officiating. At that time there was not an organ in Kansas City. In the fall, the Rev. J. I. Corbyn built a small home to which he added a building which was used as a school house. In this building he held church services, organized a Sunday school and also taught a private school. Christmas Day the Rev. Charles M. Calloway of Topeka, Kas., assisted the Rev. Mr. Corbyn in the services, and eighteen per- sons received communion. The Rev. Mr. Corbyn held services on alternate Sundays in Independence and Kansas City until early in 1859, when he be- came identified solely with the latter place.
John C Ranson had early given to Bishop Hawks three lots at Eighth and Campbell streets, but these were subsequently declined in preference for a lot at Fifth and High streets, given by William Gillis. Money was sub- scribed for building, a stone foundation was laid and brick was placed on the ground, but on account of disagreements as to the cost and design of the structure the undertaking was abandoned. In discouragement, the Rev. Mr. Corbyn resigned in December, 1859, but continued to officiate, meanwhile maintaining his school. In 1860, the Rev. Charles M. Calloway entered upon the rectorate; there were then twenty-five communicants and services were held in a concert hall on the public square. In March, 1861, the Rev. Mr. Calloway resigned and left the city. Owing to the outbreak of the Civil war the congre-
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gation was dispersed and only two parish meetings and one vestry meeting were held in the four years.
Repeated efforts were made to reassemble the church people, but without avail until September 8, 1865, when Bishop Hawks made a visitation which resulted in the Rev. Joseph Woods, Jr., being installed as rector the first week of January, 1866. The Fifth Street Methodist church was occupied for services until Easter day, April 1, 1866, when full morning service and the holy communion were celebrated in the Baptist church at May and Eighth streets. At this service was used a large reed organ, the first brought to the city, costing $550, which sum was advanced by members of the congregation and eventually paid for by contributions and from the proceeds of concerts and other entertainments given by the ladies of the parish. Meantime the congregation was divided on the question of building a church. Disappointed by the failure to build, the Rev. Mr. Wood retired from the rectorate in Decem- ber, 1866, and in March, 1867, was succeeded by the Rev. D. D. Van Antwerp. For a time services were held in Long's hall and Sunday school was organized with twelve scholars. In 1867 three lots at Walnut and Eighth streets were purchased for $2,500, and a frame building was erected at a cost of $3,000, which was first occupied August 18th of the same year, and was consecrated August 27, 1869, by Bishop C. F. Robertson.
The Rev. George C. Betts succeeded to the rectorate July 18, 1872, and served until April 16, 1876. Upon his suggestion, members of the congrega- tion contributed quantities of old silver from which were made a paten and a chalice for sacramental use. The Rev. M. Erastus Buck was rector from Octo- ber 18, 1876, until his death, January 20, 1879. In 1879 the name of St. Mary's was adopted by the parish in place of St. Luke's. The Rev. H. D. Jardine was rector from early in 1879 until his death, January 10, 1886. In his rectorate were founded All Saints' hospital, now the University hos- pital, and St. Marys seminary for girls, and St. Mary's school for boys; after a time the two latter institutions were closed. The Rev. John Sword succeeded Mr. Jardine and served until May, 1891, when he resigned. In that year the church property at Eighth and Walnut streets was sold, and a brick building at Holmes and Thirteenth streets was erected at a cost of $75,000. The present rector, the Rev. J. Stewart-Smith, was installed October 26, 1891. St. Mary's church from the time of Father Betts maintained a ritualistic service more or less elaborate and for eighteen years the full ritual of the Anglican church has been observed.
St. Paul's parish was organized July 20, 1870, out of a portion of the membership of St. Luke's church, amicably separated from the latter body in order to provide for the growing necessities of the western part of Kansas City. The Rev. F. R. IFaff was installed as rector in December, 1870. The
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church was received into union with the diocesan convention in May, 1871, when thirty-nine communicants were reported. At first church services were held in the basement of the Coates Opera house. In 1872 lots at Central and Fourth streets were purchased at a cost of $3,175; in 1874 a frame building was erected at a cost of $9,000 and the first service therein was held on Christ- mas day of the same year. Meantime the name of the parish had been changed to Grace church, April 14, 1873. In 1876 Mr. Martin resigned and was suc- ceeded by the Rev. Herman C. Dundan, who resigned in March, 1880. The Rev. B. E. Barr was in temporary charge until February 13, 1881, when the Rev. Cameron Mann, D. D., was installed. In the same year the church build- ing was enlarged at a cost of $3,000, and further improvements were made in 1888 at a cost of $2,000. In 1889 the parish began the work of erecting the present church building. The Guild hall was completed in March, 1890. The church building proper was first occupied December 16, 1894, and it was con- secrated May 15, 1898, by Bishop Edward R. Atwill. Grace church is an imposing stone edifice designed after the transitional Norman-Gothic archi- tecture. The church contained five memorial windows made by the best artists in stained glass. The lectern, a memorial to Mrs. Aileen March Wilson, is a beautiful work in carved oak, made by the most artistic wood carver in America. Guild Hall contains a valuable collection of proof engravings of religious subjects by old masters. The cost of the building was $100,000. The church maintains an institutional mission at Twenty-fourth and Bellview streets, started in 1907, and a number of societies engaged in various depart- ments of church work. Rev. Dr. Mann was made missionary bishop of North Dakota in 1901, and was succeeded by the Rev. J. A. Schaad, who is now rec- tor of Grace church.
Trinity church was organized December 1, 1883, with the Rev. Robert Talbot as rector, and with twelve communicants. The first service was held in January, 1884, in a hall on East Ninth street. A lot at Tracy and Tenth streets was purchased at a cost of $3,480, and the next summer the erection of a building was begun. In 1887 the walls were torn down and the present massive stone edifice was erected at a cost of about $100,000. The church was reorganized January 15, 1897.
St. Mark's church was organized April 12, 1889, with the Rev. John K. Dunn as the first pastor. The same year a frame building costing $3,000 was erected at Seventh street and Prospect avenue, where D. S. Mckinnon is now the minister.
St. George's church was organized as the Pro-cathedral, March 23, 1891. The same year a brick church at Thirty-second street and Troost avenue was built at a cost of $8,000. The number of communicants was reported as fifty-two. The church was opened for service September 20, 1891. Bishop'
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Edward R. Atwill was the first rector, under whom served as deans the Rev. George E. Gardner, who died November 5, 1891; the Rev. George S. Gassner, and the Rev. Seaver M. Holden. Bishop Atwill resigned the rectorate Easter day, 1897, when the Rev. P. Gavan Duffy was installed and served until April 30, 1899, when he resigned and the Rev. E. B. Woodruff was chosen. Later Mr. Woodruff resigned and became one of the Rev. Mr. Schaad's assist- ants in the institutional work of Grace parish. The church property was sold in 1907, and a new site on the northeast corner of Thirty-third street and The Paseo purchased, where a new building is to be immediately erected.
St. Paul's church, Westport, was organized May 5, 1891, under the di- rection of the Rev. Cameron Mann, D. D., from a portion of the membership of Grace church. The church edifice was formerly a Baptist house of wor- ship, and was bought and improved at a cost of $5,000. Later a lot at Forti- eth and Walnut streets was purchased and a handsome stone building erected. Rev. J. D. Ritchey now holds this rectorship.
St. John's Episcopal church was organized in December, 1891, by the Rt. . Rev. E. R. Atwill, Bishop of the diocese. The first services were held in rooms over a drug store at Independence and Elmwood streets. Among the first members were the families of B. J. Fradenberg, John R. Balis, A. J. Scruggs and J. S. Warrick. A small church building was secured at Inde- pendence and Lister avenues in 1894. Services were conducted by the va- rious Episcopal clergymen and lay readers of the city for the first year or two. To Mr. Edwin O. Hudson, lay reader, great credit is due for having given his services for many years and for his untiring effort in keeping the church together. The first rector was the Rev. G. H. Bailey who was called in 1897. Mr. Bailey remained only one year, and again lay services were conducted by Mr. Hudson until his failing health in 1901 made it impossible for him to officiate. The present building, a small stone church, was erected in 1905 at 511 Kensington avenue. The altar rail which was placed in the new church is a memorial to the late Mr. E. O. Hudson, lay reader. Mr. Carl Reed Taylor has been the rector of St. John's since 1907.
St. Augustine's Mission (colored) was organized in 1882 by the Rev. C. E. Cummings, a negro minister who was in charge until his death, July 8, 1887. During his ministry a church was erected on Troost avenue be- tween Tenth and Eleventh streets, at a cost of $3,000.
"The Congregational churches are pure democracies. Each church is self-governing, acknowledging no head but Christ, and the different churches are bound together only by the voluntary fellowship of a com- mon faith and work. They are historically associated with opposition to prelacy and to a union of church and state. They have been characterized by zeal for education and for missions. One strong and influential church
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in St. Louis was the only organization in the state prior to the Civil war. With the opening of new railroads and the influx of new population churches of this order began to spring up in Missouri.
"Kansas City, in 1863, was a frontier village of about 5,000 popula- tion, a military post, and practically in a state of siege. In the summer of that year Congregational brethren from Kansas, notably, the Rev. R. D. Parker, the Rev. Richard Cordley, the Rev. L. Bodwell and the Rev. Mr. Lig- gett, crossing the Kaw river by boat and coming through the forest covering the "West bottoms," where are now warehouses and factories, held regular Sunday preaching services, attended largely by the military officers and their families, at Long's hall, 509 Main street. A Sunday school was also estab- lished. In October the Rev. E. A. Harlow, from Maine, took charge and remained a year. Services were held by him in Miss Brown's school house, in "The Addition," on McGee street, between Twelfth and Thirteenth streets.
"In 1865 the Rev. Leavitt Bartlett, from Vermont, was sent to the field by the American Home Misionary society of New York. He began his work in the building of the Christian church, which stood on a high bank at the northwest corner of Twelfth and Main streets. On Wednesday evening, January 3, 1866, he organized the First Congregational church in the house of W. P. Whelan, near the corner of Eleventh and McGee streets. Only eleven persons entered into the solemn covenant at that time. There was yet only a small straggling frontier town creeping up from the levee, building its scattered houses southward, while the lines of earth- works could still be seen on the western bluffs, but, from the new popula- tion, professional and business men, school teachers and artisans, who came in their youth, bringing their fixed principles, their frugal habits, their faith in God and love of country, the organization was rapidly strengthened. The church was formally recognized as a Congregational church on Janu- ary 7, 1866, at a council of churches held in the Christian church, the Rev. Dr. Cordley of Lawrence, Kansas, extending the fellowship of the churches. In the same year a substantial church building, still standing, was put up on the corner of Grand avenue and Tenth street. It was dedicated June 24.
"The Rev. Mr. Bartlett was succeeded for a few months by the Rev. R. M. Hooker, who, in turn, was followed by the Rev. E. A. Andrews, who re- mained with the church for a year. In the interval between ministers, ser- mons were often read by the Hon. E. H. Allen and others. April 27, 1869, the Rev. J. G. Roberts was regularly installed by council as pastor. The Hon. David. J. Brewer, now one of the justices of the Supreme court of the United States, was the scribe of that council. This was a strong and successful pastorate, lasting for ten years. The Rev. Henry Hopkins was installed March 18, 1880."
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In 1884 a substantial and beautiful church edifice of stone at the cor- ner of Eleventh and McGee streets was dedicated free from debt, at a cost, for lot and building, of over $80,000. The entire history of this church is an illustration of commercial integrity and business methods in the con- ducting of church affairs. It has maintained a varied and aggressive work in the city along various lines of philanthropic effort, for the destitute sick, for neglected boys and for the poor and unemployed. In 1881 a building, now occupied by the Bethel Mission, was erected in the West bottoms, near the great packing houses, and an extensive institutional boarding house, a reading room, a singing school and free dispensary. Evangelistic meetings were held and a church was organized, but the latter was discontinued on account of the dispersion of the neighborhood population, owing to the necessities of business enterprise. Other features of the work were aban- doned for a similar reason, but a mission is yet maintained through other agencies.
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