The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-04-12
Thirteen Charter Members =
Thirteen Year PastOrates.
ORGANIZED IN 1869,
Rev. j. Barratt, Founder, Still
Living and Preaching.
Movement for New Building Re-
calls Story of Founding.

A number of noticeable changes
have been completed at the Church of
the Good Shepherd whereby the ap-
pearance of the interior has been
greatly improved. he building has
been thoroughly repaired, the walls
papered and the woodwork, including
the beamed ceiling, cleaned. The
floor and choir seats have been stain
ed an imitation oak. The paper IN the
nave is a rich warm brown, while the
gold used in the chancel blends har-
moniously with the other furnishings
The archway separating the nave ana
chancel is brown to correspond with
the ceiling. A brass rod for the dossal
adds much to the beauty and dignity
of the chancel The church has been
rewired and new lights installed in
three groups of four lights each. one
is in the chancel and two in the nave.
The woodwork in the Vestibule has
been vanished to harmonic with the
rest of the building. The Church of
the Good Shepherd is now conceded
to be one of the most churchly edi-
fees in the diocese.
The movement to build a new Baptist
church on the North side recalls inter-
esting incidents in the history of the
present structure. When it was built
AZ years ago, w E. Section, who
pledged 800 for the new church, helped
drive a team which carried rock for
the original church.
Thirteen charter members comprised
the original congregation. Rev. ]. Bar
raft was the first pastor, These men
and women met on April 4, 1869, in
frame school house where 901 North
Kansas avenue now is and formed
themselves into church body. They
discussed plans for building a church.
A site was chosen at the northeast cor
ner of North Harrison and Laurent
streets. Then the pastor began to So
licit funds.
In a short time the buildin~ was
started. The church was dedicated on
the first Sunday in March. 1871. Then
it was one story and 40x60 feet.
Meanwhile the increasing member
ship called for an enlargement of the
church. This was done. 1t was in
creased Is feet in length and another
story was added. On the first Sunday
of August, 1873, the church was again
dedicated. The improvement made the
value Of the church and property about
$11 ,000 In 1885 a parsonage costing
$1,000 was built at BIG West Laurent
street.
1t is interesting to note that from the
congregation of this church the First
Swedish Baptist church was organized
in 1881. The charter members of that
body also numbered thirteen.
This number seems to have peculiar
significance with the history of the
North SlQe BdpLlSJ cnurch. rev. MI.
Barratt was in charge thirteen years,
and Rev. w. B. Hutchinson was pastor
the same length of time.
Rev. Mr.. Barratt was succeeded by
Rev S. c. Gregory The other pastors in
their order follow: Rev. E. S. Riley,
Rev. w. B. Hutchinson, Rev. Mr..
Houser. Rev. w. E. Tanner, Rev. L. c.
Peerson, and the present pastor, Rev.
w. l. Cole, who has been here for over
a year. He came from Excelsior
Springs, Mo. Monday night he gave a
supper for the men and friends of the
church and at that feast the movement
for the new church was unexpectedly
launched.
Rev. Mr.. Barratt, who is still alive
and who takes an active interest in the
church, was born in Salem, N. J., in
1910. He moved to Springfield O.,
where he was educated and afterward
married. In 1853 he went to Indiana.
June 10, 1868, he moved to Kansas. Mrs.
Barratt died February %, 1905. Rev.
Mr.. Barratt's daughter, Miss Ruth Bar
raft, with whom he makes his home at
1909 North Quincy street, has been a
successful teacher in the Quincy school
for several years.