Barton County KS Archives History - Books .....Public Schools 1912 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ks/ksfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com January 9, 2007, 1:37 pm Book Title: Biographical History Of Barton County GREAT BEND CHURCHES GREAT BEND is blessed with a large number of churches representing nearly all denominations of Christian faith. Their history has been printed before but their growth has been most gratifying to those who work for the cause of religion in this section of the country and is most interesting. The history of these churches has been one of continuous struggle during the early days but all are now on a sound financial basis and have accomplished a great deal of good among the people and they add greatly to the desirability of Great Bend as a home city. First Congregational Church In the spring of 1872 a Sunday school was organized in Great Bend which was the foundation for what is now the First Congregational Church, the same being organized August 10, 1872. But one of the original charter members remains today in the person of Mrs. G. N. Moses, then Miss Ida Mitchell. The Reverend Mr. Brundige was the first pastor, remaining three years, Rev. I. D. Phillips following for a period of four years. The following named pastors have served the congregation from one to eight years. Revs. Palmer, Prior, Bosworth, Carson, Schnacke, Sutherland, Brehm, and the present pastor, is Rev. Victor Lynch Greenwood, whose ministry began in 1912. [photo] First Congregational Church, Great Bend The Congregational church has always filled a large place in the community and now has one of the most beautiful and modern houses of worship to be found in this part of the state. St. John's Episcopal Church It was in the late 70s that the Rt. Rev. T. H. Vail, the first Bishop of the Episcopal church in Kansas, visited Great Bend and baptized the children of some of the church families then living here. Among these pioneer members of the church are found the names of Poole, Grimes, Livington, Shore, Manning, Ogle and Moss. These all at one time or another have done good work for the church, and of these only Mrs. and Miss Poole are left to recall the early struggle of this Mission. Several years after Bishop Vail's visit, his successor, Bishop Thomas, came to Great Bend and after looking over the field, arranged for services in the court house, which were held by the Rev. Dr. Beatty of Newton, and, afterward, by the Rev. Kersey Thomas of Lamed. These occasional services, however, soon lapsed, but with the advent of the Rev. B. Hartley who gave regular services from Larned, things began to look up. The German-Methodist church was rented for services and the prospect seemed to be very encouraging. Then came, as the first resident pastor, the Rev. W. Richmond, who was followed by Archdeacon Watkins giving occasional services. While the Archdeacon was in charge, the congregation purchased the church, and now having a building of their own, church work began to take on a more roseate hue. The Rev. L. G. Morony now came as pastor, and was followed by the Rev. Geo. Belsey, and the Rev. A. H. W. Anderson, all of whom did good work for the Master. Then came days of decline, the church, losing her strength chiefly by removals and the pastors who have come in the later days have been able to do scarcely more than minister to the few faithful ones left. These have been the Rev. H. M. Green, the Rev. J. C. Anderson and B. T. Bensted. The present pastor of the church is Rev. Robert Francis Hill who is doing good work. Methodist Episcopal Church The Methodist Episcopal church was organized in March, 1873, by Rev. A. Hartman, who remained for some time as the first pastor. The Rev. John McQuiston was presiding elder. The first church building was erected in the fall of 1877, and dedicated on January 20, 1878, by Bishop Bowman. This church was sold in 1887, a new site, the present one was bought and the present church and a parsonage built. The church was dedicated January 16, 1887, by Rev. J. C. Hall, assisted by Rev. Enyart, the pastor. The present membership of the church is 500, and all matters in connection with the congregation are in excellent condition. The present pastor is Rev. H. J. Cockerill. [photo] M. E. Church, Great Bend Baptist Church The First Baptist Church of Great Bend, Kansas, was organized April 2, 1887. It started with sixteen members, viz: Fred J. Lewis and wife, S. M. Smith and wife, Lucinda Tucker, Mrs. C. J. Crilly, J. E. Patton and wife, J. A. Miller and wife, David Mathewson, wife and daughter, C. C. Lewis, Morgan Caraway and Mrs. M. E. Fouch. Rev. N. G. Collins of Dodge City, presided over the meeting at which the organization was effected. What are known as the New Hampshire Articles of Faith were read, and it was agreed that they fairly expressed the Scriptural views of those entering the new church. The following were the first officers: Deacons, Fred J. Lewis and David Mathewson; clerk, Morgan Caraway; treasurer, David Mathewson; S. S. Supt. J. E. Patton; trustees, S. M. Smith, J. A. Miller, M. Caraway, J. E. Patton and C. C. Lewis. The young church seems to have gone without a pastor until October, 1887, when Rev. G. E. Burdick entered upon the work, which, however, he soon resigned. The present pastor, Rev. E. H. H. Tubbs, is a native of Pulaski County, Ky. In his young manhood he was a school teacher in his native county. His first pastorate was with his home church in the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary at Louisville, Ky., after which he was pastor at Browntown, Ind., four years, Freelandville, Ind., four years and Alfordsville, Ind. seven years. Then he came to Stafford, Kansas, for three and one-half years. This last work he resigned to accept the call to this field. Presbyterian Church Monday, May 5, 1885, by previous appointments, Revs, J. C. McEnroy, D. Kingroy and J. H. Ralston, representing the Home Missionary Committee or Lamed Presbytery, convened in the M. E. church of Great Bend, for the purpose of organizing a Presbyterian church if the way appeared clear. Rev. D. Kingroy preached a sermon on "Church Order." The way being clear an organization was effected, eleven members being received. Present membership 148. Present value of the church building and manse, $15,000. Rev. Wm. Westwood is the present pastor. Christian Church The Christian Church of this city was organized on October 14, 1899 by Rev. J. M. McConnell, who was the first pastor, and under whose supervision the present church building was erected in the spring of 1900. The present pastor is Rev. B. E. Parker. The membership of the congregation is 150, and the Sunday school has an enrollment of 120. The Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor has a membership of 65. Roman Catholic Church St. Rosa of Lima Church was built in 1878 under the direction of Father Lelix P. Swenbergh and Father Ferdinand Wolf. For many years before that the community and Fort, while there was nothing here but Indians, were visited by Catholic Missionaries. Father Wolf held services here while he was stationed at Dodge City, until October 23, 1881, when Father Schurtz succeeded him. He was located at Ellinwood, as was also Father Epp, who followed him. In 1885 Father Disselkamp took charge and held until 1888. Under his pastorate the church building was moved to the location it has at this time. He also made some extensive improvements. His successor was Father Hartman, and he was succeeded in 1888 by Father Kelley, who was the first resident priest. During his administration the bells were purchased. He was succeeded in 1893 by Father Browne, who was here during the hardest years that any pastor of the congregation has ever seen. His successor was Father Podgorseck, and under his term the parish house was built. In 1901 he was succeeded by Father Weirsma, who in 104, was succeeded by Father Schultz then who was in turn succeeded by Father Hermanns. Father Hull is the present pastor. German Lutheran Church Regular Lutheran preaching was begun in the city of Great Bend in September, 1905, services being conducted by the neighboring ministers alternately, first in the old school building and later in the present Baptist church. A congregation was organized August 30, 1908, professing the doctrines as taught by the Evangelical Lutheran Missouri Synod. In the year 1910 the congregation, still very small in numbers had the courage to do what seemed necessary for the progress of Lutheranism is this city, ie., to build a church house of their own. The new structure shown in the picture was dedicated July 31, 1910, and bears the name Evangelical Lutheran Trinity Church. Two weeks after the dedication the first permanent pastor, R. Graebner, was installed into office. [photo] Lutheran Trinity Church The Colored Churches Great Bend has two colored congregations, the Baptists and Methodists. Both have handsome church edifices and have grown greatly since their establishment. The Baptists organized about thirty years ago and the Methodists some time later. Rev. Raimy is pastor of the Baptist. Rev. Greenlee is the pastor of the Methodist church. 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