by Amber Countryman, Sumner Newscow — The oldest church in Wellington is celebrating its 150th year of existence. The Presbyterian Church in Wellington was organized on June 23, 1872, and was the first church established in the town of Wellington, then only one-year-old. 

In celebration of the church’s sesquicentennial, several events are being held throughout the year. On Sunday, Aug. 14, an organ concert by Jule Ann Troutman will be held at 3 p.m. Other events will include a blessing of animals service in September, a movie night in October, hobby and collection displays of members in November, and another organ concert by Troutman – this time with a Christmas theme in December.

Of course, you can help the Presbyterians celebrate in the week of the calendar year by joining them in service on any Sunday morning at 10:30 a.m., at 1419 Western Ave., in Wellington.

Way back in 1872, a small group of spiritually hungry people who were eager for the religious influence they left behind in the east, met and formed a church. There were seven charter members: Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Baine and two grown daughters, Mr. and Mrs. William Shawl, John S. McMahan along with Rev. W.W. Boggs as the officiant. Baine was made a ruling elder and the first office-bearing member of the new church. 

A union Sunday School was started in the summer of 1872, which convened in the little one-room school house on the corner of 9th and B Streets. All religious services were held in this building until 1878. The second story of the courthouse was then used until church buildings were erected. For five years, the Presbyterians joined other churches with the Union Sunday School. 

The first Ladies Aid Society was formed in the church in 1877 with 14 charter members, seven Presbyterians, and seven of no church affiliation, just willing to help. The ladies purchased a silver communion service with the first funding they earned, according to church history.

The men objected to the ladies spending their money on silver when they didn’t even have a church building. Although they thought earthenware would have been more appropriate, they graciously accepted the gift from the ladies. For years to follow, church records show this same society donating to the building of a church, purchasing carpets, putting in gas fixtures, and assisting with the budget when it fell short.

In 1879, the church became incorporated under Kansas law and soon became self-supporting. Trustees bought five lots on the corner of F Street and Harvey, where the U.S. Post Office stands today, and built a church. The church, a wood-frame building with a full basement, was completed at a cost of $4,300 and dedicated on June 13, 1880.

By this time, membership had increased to 70. Within the next 10 years, there were over 200 in the congregation.

But on May 27, 1892, the building was destroyed by a tornado. For a time, church members were without a church home. Services were held in both Baptist and Congregational churches, as each one kindly offered to help. 

The church members decided to build after receiving $2,000 from insurance and $100 from the sale of old lumber. Construction was completed for the new church building in 1894. It featured Augusta limestone walls and was built on the original site. On Oct. 31, 1897, the church was dedicated. In 1905, a pipe organ was installed.

Interestingly, the Wellington Presbyterian Church had tremendous stability at the pulpit with just three different pastors from 1904 to 1947.  Dr. D.H. Stewart was the pastor from 1904 to 1919, giving 15 years of loyal service. This was the second longest term of any of the church’s pastors. 

The Guild was organized in 1910 which was a missionary society for younger women. In honor of Mrs. D.H. Stewart, it was named the Anna Stewart Guild. 

Rev. R.C. Shupe followed Dr. Stewart, who was pastor from 1919-1923. In 1920, the church bought a house on the corner of 4th and H Streets for $2,800.

In 1923, Dr. A.G. Wallace became a minister and served for 24 years. They raised three sons during their pastorship. 

Church membership was 384 in 1923 and eventually got to 750 by the late 1940s. The number of elders increased over those years from seven to 12. 

The educational building was erected in 1925 and dedicated in December 1926. It also had a pastor’s study, church parlor, Sunday School rooms, and a kitchen and dining room in the basement. The building, with the necessary equipment in the different rooms, cost $40,000.

The first manse — a home for Presbyterian ministers — was built in 1881 and a second in 1920. By 1934, the church through the Pastor’s Helper’s Union purchased the third manse at the corner of Jefferson and 11th in 1934. This was the largest project the ladies aide ever attempted, and it was accomplished for a cost of $3,000 with installments paid over six years. Over the years, society has made improvements and kept up repairs. 

A full-time youth worker was added to the staff in 1946. The young people’s societies in the church included Boy Scouts, the Westminster Fellowship groups of seniors and juniors, and the Susanna Circle, a missionary group for high school girls. The 81 Club was also formed in 1946. It is composed of young married couples in the church. 

Other gifts to the church included the baptismal font, communion table and handpainted vase, acoustical instruments, grand piano, silver tea set, pulpit and three matching chairs, hymn books, matching flower stands, a tape recorder, and organ chimes. The Women’s Association originated the Book of Memories, which rests on a special table near the pulpit to record monetary gifts made as memorial gifts. The Book of Memories was dedicated in 1953.

But in the early 1960s, the U.S. Government was looking to build a new post office and wanted to use the property where the Presbyterian Church sat. Because the old church was also in disrepair and was in need of renovations, the church membership decided to build a whole new church. So a bigger church was constructed in what was then the new part of Wellington at 1410 Western Ave, commonly known as the Westurban area.

The old church building and property sold for $35,000, which went toward the purchase of the new building.

The new church’s ground-breaking ceremony was held on March 21, 1965, and was eventually dedicated on April 3, 1966. The last service in the old church was held on June 28, 1964. Before completion of the new building, the congregation gathered at the old Congregational Church building, then located at the corner of Harvey and Jefferson which was where the Bank of Commerce now sits.

The new church building sits on 400-square feet, with considerable space available for future expansion. The building includes nearly 19,000 square feet of interior floor space and was built for a cost of $284,370.

Many parts of the old building were incorporated into the new, including the stained glass windows, organ pipes, chimes, sanctuary door handles, tower speakers, pianos, etc. Smith Organ Company of Wichita rebuilt the 19-rank pipe organ, and they still maintain it. 

The building is 139 feet long, and 117 feet wide. There are six classrooms, three kitchen areas, three sets of restrooms, a sanctuary, a parlor, a fellowship hall, a basement, storage rooms, mechanical and electrical rooms, a choir room, two offices, a pastor’s study, and a central courtyard. 

The current pastor is Debra Schmidt, who was ordained there on Nov. 27, 2011. 

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