Leavenworth County Churches
First Presbyterian Church, Leavenworth
"History of Leavenworth County," 1921
The First Presbyterian Church was organized January 1, 1856. It
was the first white Presbyterian Church organized in Kansas. With the
exception of the Southern Methodist Church it was the first religious
organization in the city of Leavenworth. Rev. C. D. Martin presided at
the organization, and the following were among the first members : George
I. Park, Sarah Park, John I. Moore, Jane Moore, R. R. Kirkpatrick, Elizabeth A. Kirkpatrick, Margaret Doyne, John D. Ross, Auley McAuley, Mary
Douglas and John R. Rapp.
Rev. A. W. Pitzer, of Danville Seminary, was the first pastor, being
called in May, 1857. He remained the pastor until 1861, when he resigned
to take up the cause of the South. From this time on till January 1,
1863, the church was without a pastor. On this date William S. Sterrett
became the pastor and remained till July, 1863. On August 6, 1863,
George S. Woodward, of Parkville, Missouri, was elected pastor and remained till December 18, 1867, resigning on account of ill health. Under
his charge the church became prosperous and added a large membership.
The first church building was erected on Miami Street between Sixth
and Seventh and was dedicated in July, 1857, by Rev. J. G. Fackler, of
Liberty, Missouri. The first Sabbath School was organized August 23,
1857, with six teachers and eighteen scholars.
The church was united with the Westminster Church February 4,
1867, and the congregations were joined on March 5, 1867. In February,
1868, the church resumed its former status in Odd Fellows Hall and Rev.
William L. Green was chosen pastor May 24, 1868. He held the pastorate
till October, 1869. William R. Brown became the pastor January 23,
1870, and remained till January 27, 1873.
In 1871 the church building was completed on Delaware Street between Sixth and Seventh on the north side and was dedicated on October
22. The cost including the ground was $20,000. In 1879 a large and
beautiful chapel was built holding about 500 people. Col. J. L. Abernathy
was the Sunday School superintendent during this time. The Rev. William Alford, of the Methodist Church, supplied the pulpit for a short time
after the resignation of Rev. Brown. June 29, 1873, Dr. W. N. Page was
elected pastor. This building on Delaware Street was used for church
purposes till January 1, 1909, and soon afterwards sold to the Goodjohn
Sash and Door Company, who at the present time are using it in their
business.
The present church building at the southwest corner of Fourth and
Walnut streets was dedicated January 1, 1909. It is one of the finest
church buildings in the city. The cost, including the manse and grounds,
is about $80,000. The pipe organ cost $7,000 and was donated by E. P.
Willson and family.
Doctor Page continued to be the pastor till 1905, a continuous service
of thirty-two years. The pastors since then are as follows : R. A. Elwood,
1905-1908; A. H. Morrison (supply), 1908-1910; R. B. A. McBride, 1910-1915; A. B. Miller, 1915-1921, and William R. Dodd, February, 1921.
The following are some of the elders who have served since the founding of the church: A. McAuley, George Park, W. C. Yoakum, C. Carlysle,
B. Greenup, Wilson James, George M. Burrell, H. D. McCarthy, Edward
Russell, E. P. Wilson, J. L. Abernathy, William Merill, D. C. Hawthorne,
A. Kirk, R. C. Clement, J. C. Lysle, Ed Burns, C. R. Carpenter, Lewis
Mayo, Alexander Sharp, W. R. McLaughery, F. Picketts, E. R. Marquis,
Eugene Burt and C. P. Hollingsworth.
The following are the official boards: Elders: M. B. McCreary, W. F.
Cobb, E. S. Catlin, H. Peters, George Baker, W. C. Yoakum, R. B. Yoakum,
B. G. Culver, Dr. D. R. Sterritt, Albert Kirk and D. D. Dickey. Trustees:
Homer Cory, Chairman; Dr. Charles Brown, H. C. Feller, George Geiger,
W. G. Leavel, Laun Clark, Louis Vanderschmidt, Eugene Lysle, Rev.
Parsons, I. B. Parmalee and Clarence Chase.
|
Return to
Leavenworth Co. KHHP
|