Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1884-10-03
HISTORICAL.
The n. e. Church Of wichita.


The mission was organized by the annual
conference, which met in Topeka, March "a,
1870, Rev. c. r. Rice presiding elder. W. II.
Zellers pastor, who came in May, 1870. The
first class was organized August 10th, fol-
lowing. Rev. Rice preached his first sermon
in building on Main street, to a small con-
gregation Of men. The following names
composed the first class: G. c. Fees, leader,
Il. c. Sluss, James IL. Harris. Adelia l.. Har-
ris, John c. and Mary A. Sturgis, j. V.
Weeks and Rachel Duncan. The first pray
er meeting was held in the upper story of a
building on Main street, a few doors south of
Second. This was the first and only prayer
meeting held during the year.
The leader, armed with a testament and
hymn book, at the appointed time went to
the place of prayer. He found one man in
charge Of the room, who, with himself, COM
posed the first prayer meeting. He read
chapter, sang hymn and prayed. During
the second hymn, two strangers dropped in,
who were invited to pray, but refused. Thus
ended the first year. In March II, NJ. w.
Henry was appointed pastor of this mission.
In March -, J. F. Messy was appointed
pastor. During this year church
and parsonage were built. The
church was dedicated December Srd
aud 4th, by Elder ID. p. Mitchell, at which
time the Sunday school was organized, with
W. K. Stanley as superintendent. In 70 j.
W. Stogdell was appointed to this charge.
In October of this year the pastor died, and
in December the Rev. II. T. Walker, from
the Wisconsin conference, was placed in
charge. In "A, Rev. J. t. Hanna was APP
pointed pastor, and was returned for the
years rs and '76. In ~, Rev. John Kirby
succeeded as pastor and was returned for
the year IS.
At the close of Mr.. Nessly's pastorate, in
20, the church numbered ninety members
and ninety-eight probstioners. At close of
"A, l45 members and forty-eight probation
ers. AT close of J. t. Hanna's pastorate in
"a, ls4 members and twenty-one proba-
TONERS. At close of Mr.. Kirby's second
year, the membership numbered 2S5 with
thirty probationers.
During this time the Sunday school in
creased from nine teachers and 100 scholars
to twenty teachers and three hundred schol- |
ars.
During Mr.. kirby's second wear new
church was built and dedicated at cost of
over $4,000.
AT the close of Mr., Kirby's third year he
was succeeded by the Rev. r. II. Sparks
with membership of about $50. CA
King presiding elder.
Rev. Bernard Kelly was appointed to the
charge in the month of March. 1881.
At the beginning of Mr.. Kelley's pastorate
the church records were revised and large
number of names of persons who had re-
moved without letter or could not be found
were stricken from the roll. leaving net
membership of about 100.
During Mr.. Kelley's pastorate of three
years, there was n marked increase in the
number Of COMMITMENTS and in the effici-
ency of the church, and at the close of his
third year he left the society well organized
with 800 regular members and 10 proba-
TONERS.
The present pastor, Rev. ID. W. Phillips |
ID. d., was appointed by Bishop Merrill, |
March Is, 1884. During the six months of
his first year, eighty-six have been received |
by letter, three from probation and five on
probation.
The present membership is over 400.
On the morning Of MAY 2, 1884, at about
1:S0 o'clock. the church which had been re-
built and re-dedcated during the passionate
Of Rev, John Kirby was burned. together |
with the furniture, organ, pastors library |
and church records. The total loss was about |
$4,000. covered by insurance TO the amount |
of 5000. The fire was supposed to have |
been the work Of an incendiary, melted by |
the active part taken by the pastor and the |
members of the church in favor Of the en-
forcement of the prohbitory liquor law.
Arrangements were at once made for |
erecting on the site eff the old church the |
present structure of brick and stone, the |
cost of which when furnished, will be over
$4,000
The sealed jar oontsing the articles depos-
tied in the former corner stone was preserv- |
ed and together with these lists and state |
ments and a number of articles and papers |
are now added to the collection, with the |
hope and prayer that when another centen- |
Eisl of tine organization of the Methodist |
Episcopal church in these United States
shall have come, this church shall have upon
its records the names of thousands born of
God within her gates, and continue TO be a
power, working for righteousness in this,
the central city of the great commonwealth
of Kansas.
A copy OF this paper containing the fore
going brief history, prepared by the official
board for that purpose, will be placed IN the
corner stone of the new church to-day.
On the horse of mechanic in the great
Republican procession at Youngstown, o.,