1920 - 1945
Wichita, Kansas
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In February, 1921, Rev. and Mrs. Edgar A. Lowther came to First Methodist Church from First Methodist Church, Morganstown, West Virginia. Dr. Lowther was 40 years old and was enthusiastic about completing the new church. On Sunday, October 30, 1921, the cornerstone of the new church was laid and four bishops were present to assist in the ceremonies. Bishop Stuntz of the Omaha Area, Bishop H. Lester Smith of India, Bishop E. L. Waldorf of the Wichita area, and people from the four corners of the earth witnessed the ceremonies. Among the contents of the cornerstone was a Bible; Discipline of the M.E. Church; the photograph of W. B. Smith, pioneer of Wichita Methodism and former governor; photograph of W. E. Stanley, the first Sunday School Superintendent; and a historical sketch of the church with the present membership roll. As Dr. Lowther began the third year of his pastorate with the help of a loyal and consecrated people, the new building was finished and dedicated April 22, 1923, at a cost of $300,000. All the bishops of Methodism held their semi-annual session in this new building May 2-9, 1923.
With the opening of the new church, plans were made for additional use of the old church building for expansion of Sunday school facilities and to a much wider community use than had been possible heretofore. In October, 1925, Dr. Lowther transferred to First Methodist Church at Oakland, California, leaving First Methodist Church with a membership of 1,645.
Dr. Edgar Lowther was born in Knight, Ohio, October 25, 1881. He received his B.A. degree from Syracuse University, New York, summa curn laude, in 1902. Also degrees of D.D. in 1920, and S.T.D. in 1942 from the same university. He received his B.D. degree from Union Theological Seminary, New York, in 1907. He started his ministry in 1904 at Fishkill, New York - went from New York to West Virginia to Kansas - then to California and retired in 1954 after 50 years of active ministry.
DR. BRETT KENNA
Dr. Kenna was born in Summit, Mississippi, July 15, 1891. He received his B.A. degree from University of Chattanooga, Tennessee, in 1918; a B.D. degree from Garrett Biblical Institute in 1920; a M.A. degree in 1921 from Northwestern; and was a graduate student for two years at Union Seminary. He was licensed to preach in 1906, but did not have his first pastorate until 1922 at Centenary Church at Newark, New Jersey. First Methodist Church, Wichita, was his second charge. He was appointed District Superintendent of Kansas City, Missouri, effective January 1, 1953. | |
 FIRST METHODIST CHURCH PARSONAGE 1247 NORTH EMPORIA WICHITA, KANSAS 1926 |
DR. ALBERT J. CROFT
Dr. Croft was born at Keeneyville, Pennsylvania, February 25, 1877. From 1899 to 1902, he attended Geneseo Wesleyan Seminary, received his A.B. degree from Syracuse University in 1906, and an S.T.B. degree in 1909 from Boston University School of Theology. He started his ministry at York Harbor, Maine, in 1907; and served at Minneapolis, Minnesota and Milwaukee, Wisconsin until 1918 when he enlisted as Chaplain in World War I. He served as First Lieutenant overseas until October, 1920. After his return from the service, he served at Duluth, Minnesota; Lincoln, Nebraska; Salisbury, Maryland; Wichita, Kansas; and Grace Church, Springfield, Missouri. He died in Burge Hospital, Springfield, Missouri, July 15, 1933. |
DR. FRANK NEFF
In October, 1931, Dr. and Mrs. Frank Neff came to First Methodist Church. Dr. Niff was soon actively engaged in the liquidation of the church indebtedness, but these were depression years and most of the money raised went for interest. Dr. Neff was a conservative, evangelistic preacher and added many new members to the church roll. He was well-liked and remained pastor until October, 1936, when he was transferred to First Methodist Church in Carthage, Missouri. Dr. Neff was born at Marionville, Missouri, September 10, 1871. He received his M.A. degree from Ohio Wesleyan University, Delaware, Ohio, in 1897. He then went to Boston University for one year and in 1901 received his S.T.D. from Drew Theological Seminary. He started his ministry at Bolivar, Missouri, and served in the Methodist churches in Missouri, Kansas and Southwest Kansas Conference for 38 years. He died December 6, 1944, in Carthage, Missouri. |
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In October, 1936, Dr. and Mrs. Thomas A. Williams came to Wichita from the First Methodist Church at Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Dr. Williams was 48 years of age. He was enthusiastic and genuinely sincere. He was a former university professor, and thus his sermons were scholarly. He had a benign dignity that was so compelling that when he pronounced the benediction at the close of the Sunday morning service, one could veritably feel "His Peace" descend into the hearts of the listeners.
He loved the children and the youth and always rejoiced in their successes. During the sixteen years of his pastorate he endeared himself to all those privileged to know him. He held the longest pastorate of any minister. The church grew in membership; the indebtedness on the church and parsonage was liquidated; and in April, 1942, the mortgages were burned at the close of the morning service in the presence of Bishop William C. Martin. By 1942 we were in the midst of World War II. Many of the church's finest young men and women were in uniform; some serving in training camps at home and many overseas. Several casualties came to our "church families." Dr. Williams was always available, giving hope and comfort and the assurance of "Eternal Life." He wrote to every church member or friend of the church who was in the service, at least once a month, telling them of the concern of the church for their welfare and re-emphasizing the love and comfort of the ever present Christ. He also related the activities of their church and community.
Dr. Williams was engaged in many community activities, always boosting every worthwhile project of the city and holding high the ideals of the Christian way of life. He was a 33 degree mason.
In October, 1944, First Methodist Church celebrated its 75th Anniversary with a week of special services. On May 16, the Anniversary Dinner was served in Friendship Hall. Dr. John R. McFadden, former pastor of First Church and at that time Professor of Philosophy and Religion at Kansas Wesleyan College at Salina, Kansas, was the main speaker.
On Sunday, May 20, 1945, a reception was held in Fellowship Hall. Bishop Martin and many prominent church leaders were present. Mrs. R. A. Cox, (90 years young) oldest living member of the church, cut the cake. (see photograph)
At the end of 75 years of ministry, the church had grown from 7 original members to a total of 2,477 members.
"God had abundantly blest this church and its ministry to the city of Wichita throughout these 75 years."
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