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| History of the First Presbyterian Church of Dodge City, KS Researched and written by Jennie Burrichter |
We, the First Presbyterian Church of Dodge City, owe it's well being today, perhaps its very existence,
to it's founding pastor, The Rev. Ormond W. Wright, a 25 year old missionary from New Jersey. It was no
accident that he was the first “man of God” sent to the Dodge City mission field by any denomination, who
was “permitted” by the 1876 inhabitants of the four-year-old cow camp to remain in the town that was too
wild and lawless to be claimed a part of the United States. He established our church in the best tradition
of its Mission Calling. He instilled in those first members of his fast-turn-over congregation the deep
conviction that if they believed in the Christian life, and tried to live “decently and in order,” then they must
work hard with all their heart, body, soul and mind…to the very limits, not only to bring it about, but to
maintain it. Our congregation throughout the 125 years has strictly adhered to that first charge.
Upon the arrival of Rev. Wright he solicited funds to build a “Union Church” from every establishment in
town including the dance halls and saloons. He was successful and the Union Church was built at the
northeast corner of First and Spruce. This was in 1875 and the building served the community for 25
years as a place of worship by various denominations and also as a place for social gatherings.
On May 26, 1878, nine women and four men saw the fulfillment of their efforts to establish a Presbyterian
Church in the wild city of Dodge City (six years old at the time). This was the first congregation of a
nationally constituted Christian group in Dodge City. Public worship had been conducted in the city
previously in the Union Church but with little or no organization.
Although the First Presbyterian Church was organized in May 1878, it was not until 1880 that a frame
building was erected by the Presbyterians on the site of the present church (Central and Vine). Later it
was replaced by another frame structure and in 1924 work was begun on the present building. The
cornerstone of the building was laid in 1924 with the Rev. George F. McDougall officiating. Dedication of
the completed building was held in September of 1925. The new $155,000 church was highly publicized
all over the state, with it's magnificent stained glass windows and four-manual $15,000 Reuter organ.
Some in the community questioned the need for such a spacious building but our forefathers could see
into the future and knew that it would serve us well. It wasn’t until 1941 that this building was free of debt.
During those 16 years, times were very hard – dust storms, no crops, depression, little money. A campaign
was conducted in November of 1941. Within in one month $30,000 was raised and a great mortgage
burning ceremony was held.
The leadership of First Presbyterian Church has seen a great variety of ministers. Following Rev. Wright
there were ten stated supplies that stayed very short periods of time ranging from six months to as much
as six years. A parade of ministers followed. Dr. George Templeton had a great love of teaching Bible
Studies and under his leadership a Men’s Bible Class with an average attendance of 75 met weekly on
Sunday mornings. Once the attendance reached the coveted goal of 200. A contest was developed
between the Dodge City Men’s Class and the Men’s Class of Fort Scott Presbyterian Church. We know
from newspaper clippings that Dodge City reached 175 members but no report was given about Fort Scott.
During these years the women of the church were organized under many different names some being;
Ladies Aid Society, Ladies Missionary Society, Women’s Union and Presbyterian Women. They supported
missions and had bible studies but also held ice cream socials, chrysanthemum showers, A Beeson Social
(a musical) and regular markets (featuring baked goods and handmade items). All of these raised money
to aid with the minister’s salary and many other needs of the church. It was the women of the church who
purchased a home close to the church to be used as the manse.
We started as a mission church and through the years became self-supporting and shared God’s love. In
1987 the Session felt that a retirement center was needed in Dodge City. In cooperation with Presbyterian
Manors of Mid-America, St. Mary’s of the Plains College (Sisters of St. Joseph) and the community efforts
were developed to plan such a center. An advisory board of people of different professions and churches
worked to develop this possibility. A great campaign was launched after architects had presented possible
blue prints for the construction of the Manor of the Plains on the campus of St. Mary’s of the Plains
College. Ground breaking ceremonies were held on September 25, 1988. The Presbyterian Manor of the
Plains was completed in 1990 and Rev. Thomas Church, the minister of the First Presbyterian Church,
resigned as minister of the church and became the executive director of the Manor of the Plains.
One of the mission outreaches of the church today is “Friendship Feast.” Free hot meals are served
Monday through Friday at the church during the noon hour. The community has helped with this mission
through donations of food, services, time and money. It is a growing mission reaching out to hundreds of
people monthly where everyone is welcome.
Our church has a great history and that history has always involved people who are in the process of
passing the faith along to new generations. They have always shared God’s love. As Presbyterians we
believe that we are called as faithful people to share the teaching of Jesus Christ, to understand God’s
purpose for each person, to nurture each other and to seek new ways of compassionate service to all.
So , we as a church are sharing God’s love, through the past.....into the future.
to it's founding pastor, The Rev. Ormond W. Wright, a 25 year old missionary from New Jersey. It was no
accident that he was the first “man of God” sent to the Dodge City mission field by any denomination, who
was “permitted” by the 1876 inhabitants of the four-year-old cow camp to remain in the town that was too
wild and lawless to be claimed a part of the United States. He established our church in the best tradition
of its Mission Calling. He instilled in those first members of his fast-turn-over congregation the deep
conviction that if they believed in the Christian life, and tried to live “decently and in order,” then they must
work hard with all their heart, body, soul and mind…to the very limits, not only to bring it about, but to
maintain it. Our congregation throughout the 125 years has strictly adhered to that first charge.
Upon the arrival of Rev. Wright he solicited funds to build a “Union Church” from every establishment in
town including the dance halls and saloons. He was successful and the Union Church was built at the
northeast corner of First and Spruce. This was in 1875 and the building served the community for 25
years as a place of worship by various denominations and also as a place for social gatherings.
On May 26, 1878, nine women and four men saw the fulfillment of their efforts to establish a Presbyterian
Church in the wild city of Dodge City (six years old at the time). This was the first congregation of a
nationally constituted Christian group in Dodge City. Public worship had been conducted in the city
previously in the Union Church but with little or no organization.
Although the First Presbyterian Church was organized in May 1878, it was not until 1880 that a frame
building was erected by the Presbyterians on the site of the present church (Central and Vine). Later it
was replaced by another frame structure and in 1924 work was begun on the present building. The
cornerstone of the building was laid in 1924 with the Rev. George F. McDougall officiating. Dedication of
the completed building was held in September of 1925. The new $155,000 church was highly publicized
all over the state, with it's magnificent stained glass windows and four-manual $15,000 Reuter organ.
Some in the community questioned the need for such a spacious building but our forefathers could see
into the future and knew that it would serve us well. It wasn’t until 1941 that this building was free of debt.
During those 16 years, times were very hard – dust storms, no crops, depression, little money. A campaign
was conducted in November of 1941. Within in one month $30,000 was raised and a great mortgage
burning ceremony was held.
The leadership of First Presbyterian Church has seen a great variety of ministers. Following Rev. Wright
there were ten stated supplies that stayed very short periods of time ranging from six months to as much
as six years. A parade of ministers followed. Dr. George Templeton had a great love of teaching Bible
Studies and under his leadership a Men’s Bible Class with an average attendance of 75 met weekly on
Sunday mornings. Once the attendance reached the coveted goal of 200. A contest was developed
between the Dodge City Men’s Class and the Men’s Class of Fort Scott Presbyterian Church. We know
from newspaper clippings that Dodge City reached 175 members but no report was given about Fort Scott.
During these years the women of the church were organized under many different names some being;
Ladies Aid Society, Ladies Missionary Society, Women’s Union and Presbyterian Women. They supported
missions and had bible studies but also held ice cream socials, chrysanthemum showers, A Beeson Social
(a musical) and regular markets (featuring baked goods and handmade items). All of these raised money
to aid with the minister’s salary and many other needs of the church. It was the women of the church who
purchased a home close to the church to be used as the manse.
We started as a mission church and through the years became self-supporting and shared God’s love. In
1987 the Session felt that a retirement center was needed in Dodge City. In cooperation with Presbyterian
Manors of Mid-America, St. Mary’s of the Plains College (Sisters of St. Joseph) and the community efforts
were developed to plan such a center. An advisory board of people of different professions and churches
worked to develop this possibility. A great campaign was launched after architects had presented possible
blue prints for the construction of the Manor of the Plains on the campus of St. Mary’s of the Plains
College. Ground breaking ceremonies were held on September 25, 1988. The Presbyterian Manor of the
Plains was completed in 1990 and Rev. Thomas Church, the minister of the First Presbyterian Church,
resigned as minister of the church and became the executive director of the Manor of the Plains.
One of the mission outreaches of the church today is “Friendship Feast.” Free hot meals are served
Monday through Friday at the church during the noon hour. The community has helped with this mission
through donations of food, services, time and money. It is a growing mission reaching out to hundreds of
people monthly where everyone is welcome.
Our church has a great history and that history has always involved people who are in the process of
passing the faith along to new generations. They have always shared God’s love. As Presbyterians we
believe that we are called as faithful people to share the teaching of Jesus Christ, to understand God’s
purpose for each person, to nurture each other and to seek new ways of compassionate service to all.
So , we as a church are sharing God’s love, through the past.....into the future.
