HISTORY OF FIRST METHODIST CHURCH
FIRST QUARTER CENTURY

1870 - 1896

Wichita, Kansas

REVEREND M. M. HAUN

In March, 1871, at the Kansas Conference, Rev. M. M. Haun was appointed itinerant minister to Wichita. He had transferred from the South Kansas Conference to the Kansas Conference because he had settled on a claim at Wichita. Because of the extreme heat of that summer and the intense cold of the winter of 1871-72, and because it was hard to find a suitable meeting place, the work of the church suffered. Rev. Haun entered the ministry in 1846 and had been a pioneer preacher for twenty-five years before coming to Wichita. "Father Haun," as he was called by his younger brethren in the ministry, had a rich experience and was enthusiastic in his Master's service and in his religious devotions. He was superannuated (retired) in 1879 and settled in Sedgwick. He died in Los Angeles, California, January 16, 1902.

REVEREND J. C. NESSLEY

In March, 1872, Mr. J. C. Fraker, President of the First National Bank, and Mr. W. B. Smith, who with his family had come to Wichita in 1871 from Emporia, went to Emporia where the Kansas Conference was in session. They petitioned the Bishop to make Wichita a separate charge and agreed to guarantee the support of a full-time preacher. This request was granted and Rev. J. S. Nessley was appointed. Rev. Nessley was 48 years of age at this time. He was a strong doctrinal preacher, careful in preparation, a soul winner, a pathfinder, for most of his work had been in organizing Methodism in new fields. He came to Wichita from Olathe, Kansas, at a salary of $600 per year.

In the summer of 1872, the first church building was started on a plot of ground 150 x 140 feet donated by Mr. James R. Mead, an early pioneer and businessman, and also Vice President of the First National Bank. While the church was being built, the members met either in the first story of the school building Sunday mornings, or in the small Presbyterian Church Sunday afternoons.

On Sunday, December 1, 1872, the new church at 315 N. Lawrence Avenue was dedicated. Among the ministers present on that occasion were D. P. Mitchell, father of Bishop Charles Mitchell, H. D. Fisher of Lawrence, B. Kelly of Emporia, A. Hartman of E1Dorado, and presiding Elder John McQuiston. After a stirring sermon on "The Rise and Progress of Christ's Kingdom on Earth," preached by Dr. Mitchell, Mr. Fraker made a financial statement showing the indebtedness of the church and parsonage property to be $1,600. The parsonage was a pretentious building for the times, being a two-story, four room house and plastered, whereas most of the houses were just weatherboard and had only one or two rooms. Six hundred dollars was raised at the morning service. At the evening services, after a sermon by H.D. Fisher and a financial statement by W. B. Smith, Rev. Bernard Kelly, in a happy mood, raised the remaining thousand dollars and the church was dedicated free of debt.

Mrs. Hiram Imboden, daughter of W. B. Smith, reported that she and Mrs. Hall - and Dr. Langsdorf's daughter, (though the latter was not a member of any church, nor a professing Christian, but was an enthusiastic worker and supporter of the church project) were appointed to canvas the business section of town for money to help furnish the church. Mrs. Imboden relates, "We were most cordially received and everyone was ready to help - but the donations were small. We were fortunate to receive a dollar."

Later a concert was held in Eagle Hall. Talent from the Presbyterian church and even a saloon keeper and gambler performed. The entertainment was such a success that it was repeated the next night. Some of the older members of the church were greatly distressed at the things done in the name of the church, but Rev. and Mrs. Nessley thought if we were asking people outside to help furnish the church, we should let them help in their own way."

"Later Mrs. Hall and I canvassed the town again for money for a bell for the church tower - nothing escaped us - not even the saloons. We raised $200 with which the bell was purchased and was the only bell in town for many years. This bell was used until 1923 when our present church was built. It is now in storage."

Mrs. Imboden also relates the story of their first great revival. "It began the first night of our week of prayer, the first week of 1873. It was a stormy night. A stranger came into the meeting and said he would like to conduct a series of revival meetings, a union meeting of all the churches. The Presbyterian Church was the only other church in town and their pastor, a spiritual young man, was glad to cooperate. The evangelist, whose name was Balcom, played the organ, sang and preached. Before the week was over, he was preaching to a large congregation every night and people were coming to the altar in large numbers and being saved. The meetings were continued for a time after the evangelist left with good results. No revival meeting held since has meant more to this church than the one held in 1873 by this Baptist evangelist."

I also include part of an address by Sunday School Superintendent W. E. Stanley given at the Anniversary Session: "I can well remember Rev. J. S. Nessley as the first preacher. He could not preach very well, but he seemed to be able for that charge. Since then, what preachers we have had here at First Methodist Church, some men have stood as kings in the pulpit, representatives of our Christian faith, but none filled his place better than that first weak modest man filled his place, in his time. He was sufficient for the occasion, he was able to meet our needs and he bore no small part in the development of this great city. Twenty-five years ago, with modesty and sincere humility, he laid the foundations of what has since become a mighty church in Methodism."

REVEREND J. W. STOGDILL AND REVEREND H. J. WALKER

At the Kansas Conference held in March, 1873, Rev. J. W. Stogdill became our pastor, coming from the Burlingame station where he had served for two years. He was a scholar and as a minister he was dignified, positive in his convictions as to right and wrong, and firm and determined in the execution of what he deemed his duty. He left none in doubt as to his religious and moral views. He dared where others quailed. Only a few weeks before his death he told Rev. B. Kelly - "Christ was never more precious to me than now or the ministry more dear to me, than the six months I have been in Wichita. I desire to live to preach Christ." On Monday morning, October 13, 1874, he died - leaving his devoted wife and five children. He was buried in Highland Cemetery, Wichita. Rev. H. J. Walker, the conference evangelist, filled in the balance of the year (4 months). During the year, $675.00 was paid toward the indebtedness on the church and parsonage and $685.00 paid to ministers. The membership roll showed 122 full members and 28 probationers.

REVEREND JAMES T. HANNA

At the Annual Kansas Conference held in March, 1874, Rev. James T. Hanna became our pastor. He came from Paola. He was a strong and interesting preacher. He was 43 years of age when he started his ministry in Wichita. He was epigrammatic in his style of preaching, holding the attention of his congregation throughout his sermon. He remained for three years and was greatly beloved. Dr. James T. Hanna was born in Carnie, Illinois, December 10, 1830. He started his ministry in the Rock River Conference in 1856. He retired in 1905, giving approximately 50 years of effective ministry to the Methodist Church. He died April 12, 1913 - the oldest minister in the Southwest Kansas Conference. His wife died in 1896. They were both buried in McPherson, Kansas.

REVEREND JOHN KIRBY

In the spring of 1877, the Kansas Conference held its annual session in the First Methodist Church of Wichita. Bishop Simpson presided and Rev. John Kirby became pastor. At that time a gallery was built at the rear of the church to accommodate the crowds. Bishop Simpson preached his Victory Sermon - one which he delivered more than four hundred times. Rev. Kirby was 40 years of age when he came to Wichita. He was a forceful speaker and had a fine sense of humor and had a wide breadth of interests, not only in the Bible, but also in literature and the natural sciences. During his pastorate of three years, the church was found to be too small and was moved to the rear end of the lot and a new front added. The editor of the Wichita Eagle named this church "Kirby's Chapel" and it was ever thus known. Rev. John Kirby was born May 3, 1837, in Malton, Yorkshire, England. He graduated from the Richmond Theological Institute in 1860. He spent three years in the traveling ministry in Richmond, England as apprentice preacher under the tutelage of Dr. William Fiddian Moulton. He spent nine years as a "Circuit Preacher" serving three different circuits during that period in England. In 1874, Rev. Kirby came to Kansas, joining the South Kansas Conference transferring to the Kansas Conference when he came to Wichita in 1877. He moved to California in 1883 and served the Methodist churches in that area until he superannuated in 1906, having given thirty-eight years of active service to the ministry of the Methodist Church. Rev. Kirby died in Oakland, California, July 3, 1912.

KIRBY'S CHAPEL 1877 - 1884

First expansion to serve the need. "The congregation was so enthused by its larger and more commodious home that all indebtedness thereon was paid within two years after its completion.

REVEREND RUEBEN S. SPARKS

Rev. Rueben S. Sparks was born in Franklin County, Indiana, On July 6, 1832. He became a Methodist minister in 1854 and Preached in many Indiana settlements. When the Civil War broke out, he enlisted in the 124th Indiana regiment and served as Chaplain. He transferred from the North Indiana Conference to the Kansas Conference in 1879. He remained in the Kansas and Southwest Kansas Conferences for the next seventeen years. He retired in 1896 after an active ministry of 53 years. He died January 23, 1917, at Ottawa, Kansas.

REVEREND BERNARD KELLY

In March, 1881, Rev. Bernard Kelly became the pastor for the full three-year term. He was 43 years of age when he came to Wichita. Brother Kelly was very enthusiastic and intense in his activities. He got the church out of debt and had money in the treasury at the end of the first year. He also held a revival at which time a large number of people were converted and joined the church. He was very aggressive in his fight against the liquor traffic and thus made many enemies. In 1883, the church membership was 265. The valuation of the church was $10,500 and the parsonage was valued at $2,000. In the spring of 1884 the membership had been raised to 360 members, making a total of 95 new members for that year. The minister's salary, including the parsonage, was $1,440 annually - the highest salary for any preacher in the Southwest Kansas Conference. Rev. Bernard Kelly was born on a farm near Petersbury, Virginia, in 1838. He served in the 103rd Illinois Infantry Division during the Civil War; and achieved the rank of major. He was admitted to the Kansas Conference in 1865 and transferred to the South Kansas Conference in 1870, where he remained until he retired in 1919. He served two terms as District Superintendent in the Ottawa District. He gave 54 active years to the ministry of the Methodist Church. He died March 18, 1926, at his home in Topeka.

DR. D. W. PHILLIPS

Church Structure in use from 1885 to 1923

At the Second Session of the Southwest Kansas Conference held at Newton on March 12, 1884, a resolution was passed requiring every applicant to sign a pledge to abstain from the use of tobacco in all forms before being admitted into the Conference. "This was higher ground than any church had ever taken in the requirements of her ministers, but they felt it was perfectly consistent with the doctrines of the church of the New Testament and of the teaching of Jesus Christ." At this Conference Bernard Kelly was transferred to Winfield and Dr. D. W. Phillips came to First Methodist Church. He had graduated from McKendree College in 1862, received his Master's Degree in 1865, and the Honorary Degree of D.D. in 1883. He served as President of McKendree College from 1879 to 1883. He returned to the ministry in 1883 when he came to Kansas and served that year in Arkansas City. Dr. Phillips was 46 years of age when he came to the First Methodist Church in Wichita. He had been here only two months when on the night of May 7, 1884, the church caught fire and was totally destroyed. Dr. Phillips had his study in the church and thus lost his extensive library, as well as most of the records of the church. There was a strong suspicion that the fire was of incendiary origin and was the result of the fight against the saloon. Fortunately, it was summer time because the only available place to have the church services was at the skating rink. Dr. Phillips and the Trustees of the Church went right ahead to rebuild the Church and on Sunday, May 10, 1885, the new church was dedicated by Bishop W. X. Ninde. This building cost $21,150 and was dedicated without taking a collection, as the funds had been provided before the church was completed. Dr. Phillips had worked beyond his strength, and he was compelled to drop his pastoral work for two years. He became one of the pioneer founders of South-western College at Winfield. He was trustee from 1886-95; President of the Board from 1886-93; Professor of Biblical Literature in 1893-94; and was elected Vice President of the College in 1893. Failing health caused him to drop the active duties in 1896. Dr. D. W. Phillips was born August 15, 1838, in Washington County, Illinois. He died in Cleveland, Ohio, June 21, 1913.

REVEREND T. S. HODGSON

In March, 1885, Rev. T. S. Hodgson, D.D., became the pastor. He was 46 years of age and had transferred from the East Ohio Conference. He was loved by the people and was highly esteemed by his brother ministers of the city and the Southwest Kansas Conference. During his pastorate of three years, "Rev. G. W. Wilson, an evangelist, held a series of meetings which stirred the church, resulting in many conversions and the addition of many new members." He later served as a member of the Board of Trustees at Southwestern College. Rev. T. S. Hodgson was born in Brownsville, Pennsylvania, November 1, 1839. His father was a successful pioneer Methodist preacher. Dr. Hodgson joined the Pittsburg, Pennsylvania Conference in 1863 as a "junior preacher." In 1879 he became a member of the East Ohio Conference and was appointed to the Methodist Church at Willoughby, Ohio. His last charge was at First Methodist Church in Hutchinson. He retired in 1902, moved back to Willoughby, Ohio, where he had served his first real pastorate in 1877. He died in Cleveland, Ohio, June 21, 1913.

REVEREND M. L. GATES

In March, 1888, M. L. Gates, M.D., Ph.D. was appointed pastor. He was 45 years of age. He was very interested in the youth at First Methodist Church and would almost always include a sermon to the children in his regular Sunday morning service. He wanted them to have catechistical classes so that they would learn more about the Bible and about the church. He was intensely evangelistic in his preaching. He was an ardent friend of education and was active in the establishment of Southwestern College. In March, 1889, he exchanged pastorates with Rev. R. T. Savin from Newark, New Jersey. He had served as Corporal in the 194th Regiment of Pennsylvania. At the end of his term in the service, he entered the University of Pennsylvania, from which he was graduated with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. He was a successful practitioner at Annville, Pennsylvania, for eleven years. During all these years, he found it increasingly impossible to rid himself of a hidden conviction that he was called to preach. About this time one of the members of his household was stricken with a very serious illness. He believed this to be a renewal of God's call for him to be a preacher. Following this experience, he left his lucrative practice, went back to school to study for the ministry. In 1897, when he was in the New York Conference, he matriculated as a postgraduate student at New York University and won his Ph.D. Degree. One of Dr. Gates quotes was, "If you want to retain a young heart and remain an enthusiast all your life, ever keep living on the lines of discovery." Rev. M. L. Gates was born at Green Ridge, Pennsylvania, August 11, 1843. He was superannuated in March, 1907. He gave 30 years of active service to the Methodist ministry. He died in New Jersey, August 21, 1907.

DR. R. T. SAVIN

Dr. R. T. Savin became the pastor in 1889 coming from Newark, New Jersey, in an exchange with Dr. Gates. At the beginning of his pastorate, a new parsonage was built and furnished at 421 North Topeka. He served First Methodist Church two years and transferred to Central Church, Detroit. In a letter from Dr. Crane of Central Church, Detroit, in 1954, the following information was given: "Dr. Savin spent one year here at Central Church, but because of illness he resigned from the ministry." (See letter with Memoir Records in file.)

FIRST METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH PARSONAGE from 1890 to 1926

REVEREND L. M. HARTLEY

In March, 1891, Rev. L. M. Hartley was appointed to First Methodist Church as pastor. He was then 33 years of age. As a preacher he was clear and forceful; as a pastor greatly beloved; as a reformer wise and fearless. His father and mother were ministers in the "Friends" Church. At the age of 19 he was converted in a revival service of the Methodist Episcopal Church, which he joined that next Sunday. After serving three years as an exhorter in the Iowa Conference, he entered our Garrett Theological University in Evanston, Illinois. After graduating with a B.S.T. Degree in 1885, he transferred to the Southwest Kansas Conference. Rev. L. M. Hartley was born July 4, 1857, in Morrow County, Ohio. In January, 1893, because of health conditions in his home, he transferred to the Southern California Conference. He retired in 1901, having spent 16 years in the ministry of the Methodist Church. He died June 12, 1906, in Los Angeles.

DR. DON S. COLT

In January, 1893, Dr. Don S. Colt was appointed as pastor of First Methodist Church in Wichita. He was 31 years of age at this time. He was a strong preacher, greatly beloved by all the people. In temperament he was mystic, and yet he was a man of action. One of his parishioners speaks of the fearlessness with which he denounced wrongdoings while at the same time he showed the tenderness of his Lord in his dealing with the individual. During his ministry a noted evangelist, Major Cole, held a union meeting. There was a great awakening and many conversions. Dr. Colt continued the meetings with marked success. Dr. Colt was a fruitful minister. In 1896 there were 850 full members and 150 probationers on the membership roll of the church. The valuation of the church was $31,000 - value of the parsonage $4,500 - current church expenses $1,700 - Dr. Colt's salary was $2,200 plus $600 for the parsonage. In the fall of 1896 he was transferred to Allegheny, Pennsylvania. Dr. Don Colt was born at Wilmot, Wisconsin, April 20, 1861. His father was an itinerant Methodist preacher in Kansas. Dr. Colt was graduated from Baker University with a B.A. Degree in 1887. In 1891 he received his M.A. and B.S.T. Degrees from Baker University. Before leaving First Church, he was granted a D.D. Degree from Baker University and Kansas Wesleyan College. Few men have served the church in so many and so widely scattered conferences. He retired in 1918 after completing fifty years of active fruitful service. He died January 14, 1937, in Baltimore, Maryland.

SECOND QUARTER CENTURY

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