1945 - 1970
Wichita, Kansas
“On Sunday, October 29, 1950, at 3:00 p.m., these buildings were dedicated at a 'Service of Consecration.' Mr. Harold Hill, Chairman of the Building Committee, presented the completed building program. Mr. John Downing, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, accepted the buildings for the church. Words of consecration were given by Dr. Robert A. Hunt, District Superintendent, Wichita District. The Prayer of Blessing was given by former pastor, Dr. John R. McFadden, and the main address was given by Dr. James Brett Kenna, former pastor of this church.”
At the close of this service a reception was held in Friendship Hall and these poems were dedicated to Dr. and Mrs. Williams.
To - Dr. Williams
Each time we meet you always say
Some word of praise that makes us gay
You see some hidden struggling trait
Encourage it and make it great
Tight fisted little buds of good
Bloom large, because you said they would.
To - Mrs. Williams
You cannot measure charm by chart, nor love by line;
And not the wisest in the world can quite define
The things that make our friends so sweet,
And all their speeches and their smiles seem kind and warm,
Because you cannot limit love nor measure charm.
In the spring of 1951, a new parsonage was purchased at 83 Mission Road, Eastborough. It was a ranch style house, which made it easier for Mrs. Williams.
In July, 1951, Dr. Williams was a delegate to the 87th Ecumenical Conference of World Methodism held at Oxford University. He and Mrs. Williams left for England the first week in July, 1951, and returned to First Church in early October. He was twice a delegate to General Conference during his pastorate.
The mortgage on the educational wing and "Christ's Memorial Chapel" had been liquidated. The budget had been paid in full, including Dr. Williams salary of $9,600. There were approximately 3,000 members on the church roll.
In October, 1952, Dr. and Mrs. Williams left Wichita for Hutchinson, Kansas, where he was to serve as the District Superintendent of the Hutchinson District for six years, after which he planned to retire.
Dr. Williams was born in Wilmore, Kansas, December 14, 1887. He received his B.A. degree from Southwestern College in 1916; his B.S.T. degree from Boston University School of Theology in 1920; M.R.E. degree also from Boston University in 1921; D.D. degree from Southwestern College in 1930; D.S.T. degree from Oklahoma City University in 1936; and an honorary L.L.D. degree from Kansas Wesleyan University in 1945.
He was professor of Philosophy and Religion at Evansville College at Evansville, Indiana, 1921-25; Professor of English Bible and Religious Education at Hamline University 1925-27; Professor of Religion and Philosophy at Oklahoma City University 1927-35; and Dean of the College of Liberal Arts, Oklahoma City University 1928-35.
He started his ministry at the Arlington Street Church, Nashua, New Hampshire, in 1917, and through the years when he was not in school or teaching, he was pastor of some Methodist Church.
Dr. Williams died April 17, 1958, at his home in Hutchinson. His funeral was held at First Methodist Church, Wichita, Kansas, April 20, 1958. He was to have retired in October, 1958.
Mrs. Williams resided at the Methodist Home in Topeka, Kansas following the death of Dr. Williams.
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In March, 1952, Rev. and Mrs. D. Coyd Taggart came to First Church from Evanston, Illinois, as Associate Pastor to Dr. Williams. He had a fine musical voice and occasionally would sing a solo at the morning service. He was a sincere, forceful, effective preacher. He was a great organizer and various new departments and church boards were set up to make a more effective church program. When Dr. Williams left in October, 1952, Rev. Taggart became the pastor until Dr. Meredith came in February, 1953, and Rev. Taggart remained as Associate Pastor until early 1954. At that time he left to become the Superintendent of The Methodist Children's Home (now called Methodist Youthville) at Newton, Kansas.
Rev. Coyd Taggart was born at Olpe, Kansas, May 10, 1922. He attended Friends University, majoring in Music Theory and Voice and received his B.A. degree in 1943. He spent 23 months in the South Pacific during World War II. Returning from the war, he was made news editor of KFBI and did part-time work as Associate Pastor of Grace Methodist Church in Wichita. In December, 1946, his wife, Theota, (daughter of Rev. and Mrs. L. 0. Smith) died when their son Michael was born. In February, 1948, he remarried Mrs. Bunny Harrington, whose husband had died leaving her with two children. With his little family, he started to Garrett Biblical Institute at Evanston, Illinois, and received his B.D. Degree in March, 1952.
He had served Melrose Park Church in Evanston as Assistant Minister during his four years at Garrett. Rev. and Mrs. Taggart and their family of five boys are doing an outstanding job as they minister to the needs of orphaned children and youth with special problems at Methodist Youthville.
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On February 1, 1953, Dr. Ronald R. Meredith was appointed minister of First Methodist Church of Wichita. He had previously served five and one-half years of successful ministry at the First Methodist Church of Fresno, California. On April 1, Dr. and Mrs. Meredith, their two children, Sandra and Lynn, and his "Aunt Mary Rowles" moved into the new parsonage at 2173 North Riverside.
Ronald R. Meredith was born May 6, 1913, in Dana, Iowa, the son of Guy E. Meredith and Jessie E. Rowles, of Welch descent. His father was primarily a farmer. Dr. Meredith married Ethel Louise Robinson at Clarkdale, Arizona, on July 23, 1940. Their son, Ronald Robinson Meredith, was born in July of 1943. Later they adopted Sandra Lee, who was born September 25, 1946, and Lynn Owen, who was born December 31, 1951.
Dr. Meredith was a graduate of Hamline University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree. He earned his Bachelor of Divinity Degree at Drew Theological Seminary in Madison, New Jersey. In 1948, Hamline University conferred upon him the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Divinity. During his last year in seminary, he served at a Methodist Church in Brookside, New Jersey. Upon graduation in 1938, he went to the Southern California-Arizona Conference, where he spent two years in Clarkdale, Arizona, and seven years at the Monterey Park Community Methodist Church in southern California.
Soon after arriving in Wichita, Dr. Meredith preached his first sermon on February 8th to a large appreciative audience. He was a magnetic speaker. He was enthusiastic, with high hopes for the future growth and development of many new activities and programs in various areas of our church life.
He so endeared himself to the friends of the church and community that by Easter, he preached to two "overflow" congregations; the first service at 8:30 a.m., with an estimated total of 2,500 worshipers. In 1954, the Easter service was held at the Wichita Forum, with an estimated total of over 4,500 persons. Regretfully, many persons had to be sent elsewhere. The stage was beautifully decorated with a large white cross adorned with green vines and white lilies. Over 200 Easter lilies banked the stage. These lilies were donated by church members as a memorial to some loved member or friend. After the service, the lilies were taken to the sick and "shut in" members.
The combined choirs of the church together with special soloists and orchestra, all under the direction of Mr. Lester Weatherwax, thrilled the worshipers with glorious Easter music. This Easter service at the Wichita Forum became traditional for a few years. The offering taken at this service was used for some special "World Service" project.
On December 24, 1953, the first "Candlelight Service of Christmas Eve" was initiated. The service began at 11:00 p.m. The church was in darkness as the members of the choir, carrying lighted candles, marched down the aisles of the church to the choir loft, singing Christmas carols. The first part of the service was devoted to beautiful choral and instrumental Christmas music interspersed with meditations and prayer. Then Dr. Meredith narrated the old, yet ever new, "Christmas Story." The service closed at midnight as the chimes proclaimed "Christmas." This service became traditional at First Methodist.
For many years, the church staff participated in the daily program of meditation and prayer held in the Chapel from 8:00 to 8:30 each morning. This service was open to anyone who wished to attend.
Dr. Meredith was a popular speaker at ministerial conferences, high schools and colleges across the nation. His counseling program helped many troubled souls to find comfort, confidence, and direction. His weekly television program, "There Is An Answer," from February 1954 through January 1956, reached and helped many people. In 1954, he was a delegate to the General Conference, held in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
During the fall and winter of 1954, he conducted a Bible Study Discussion Class each Wednesday evening for a six-week period. There was an average attendance of 450 people.
The following year on Sunday evenings he presented a series of book reviews. These were taken from the "Books of the New Testament," and the J. B. Phillips Letters to Young Churches. Because of the unusually large attendance, the meetings were held in the sanctuary of the church.
Due to the large attendance for Sunday morning worship, two services were started on September 9, 1956, with the early service starting at 8:30 a.m. and the later service at 10:45 a.m. Both were well attended.
In the spring of 1958, Dr. Meredith was invited to accompany Mr. William Graham (founder of Private Enterprise, Inc.) on a trip around the world, in the interest of financing small private enterprises in underdeveloped countries. They left April 6, immediately following the Easter Sunday Service at the Wichita Forum, to board the plane for New York City. Leaving New York, they flew a non-stop flight to Rome, Italy. After a few days in Rome, they went to Greece, Turkey, Lebanon, Pakistan, India, Siam, China, Japan, Hawaii, and back to San Francisco, California.
While in New Delhi, India, Dr. Meredith was invited to address the Manufacturer's Association of India. Dr. Meredith felt it was a very high honor to be asked to share the speakers platform with Prime Minister Nehru. At the close of Dr. Meredith's address, the audience burst forth with much applause, then rose to its feet in a standing ovation. It was a great moment - not only for Dr. Meredith and the Methodist Church, but for America!
Dr. Meredith returned to Wichita on May 15, and on Sunday, May 18, First Methodist Church again had its service at the Wichita Forum. The Forum officials said it was the largest group ever to assemble there. Over 5,000 people were seated, with standing room around the balconies and in the halls. Many carloads of people who had driven from small surrounding towns had to be turned away. Everyone was interested and anxious to hear a firsthand and honest report of what was happening around the world.
That "Worship Hour" in the Wichita Forum was a moving spiritual experience for all those privileged to hear and share in it. "The congregation singing the hymn, 'In Christ There is No East or West,' and the Negro tenor soloist singing 'He's Got the Whole World in His Hands' prepared the congregation for the magnificent sermon, 'Plight of the Peoples' by Dr. Meredith." At the close of the sermon, the orchestra played "The Battle Hymn of the Republic," and a huge American flag that covered the entire stage came into view, its silken stripes rippling softly in the breeze. As the flag disappeared from view, a large map of the world took form and over the world was the shadow of the cross! It was, indeed, a moving experience!
Dr. Meredith's sermon, "Plight of the Peoples," caused much comment, and news of it came to the attention of President Dwight D. Eisenhower. As a result, Dr. Meredith was invited to the White House for a conference with the President.
Dr. Meredith flew to Washington, D.C. and on Tuesday morning, June 17, 1958, he was received by President Eisenhower for a 15 minute appointment, but the President was so interested in the discussion that. the interview continued for 37 minutes. President Eisenhower expressed a deep concern for our country and the affairs of the world.
In the fall of 1959, a series of programs entitled "University of Life" was inaugurated. These courses continued for six consecutive Sunday evenings, with each session closing with a short service of inspiration and dedication in the sanctuary. (see folder for University of Life) This program continued with two series of each year - one in early fall and winter and one during the Lenten season.
About this time, the need for a new sanctuary and more available rooms became apparent. Plans began for the construction of a new church south of the 1923 sanctuary. The contract for the church was approved on May 1, 1960, and was signed at a congregational dinner meeting on Monday, May 16, 1960. The Ground Breaking Ceremony was held on May 8, after the 10:45 a.m. Sunday service. The Cornerstone was laid at a special service on March 9, 1961.
In September 1963, Dr. Meredith; Rev. George Gardner, pastor of the Andover U.M.C.; and Mr. Bill Cochran, Wichita funeral director, left for a five week trip. Some of the places they visited included Paris, Rome, Cairo, Jerusalem, Geneva, Berlin, Copenhagen, and London. Most memorable was the week they spent with Dr. Albert Schweitzer at his mission hospital in Lambarene of the Belgian Congo. On Sunday, October 27, Dr. Meredith's sermon "Appointment With Tomorrow" marked the climax of this epic five-week trip. This glorious service was held at the Wichita Forum to an overflow crowd.
In December of 1963 it was announced that Dr. Meredith would be participating in "one of the most original New Year's Eve television programs in the history of Wichita television." At midnight the television studios were converted into a pastor's study. Special telephone service was provided and Dr. Meredith took calls during the rest of the night and answered the questions and concerns of those calling in by way of television. The incoming conversations were not broadcast - just the response of Dr. Meredith. The reason for scheduling this type of program at that time was that "there is traditionally more loneliness on New Year's Eve than any other night of the year".
The response to this T.V. program resulted in Dr. Meredith talking to 144 persons during his 380 minutes on camera. Due to the success of this program, Dr. Meredith accepted an invitation from KAKE-TV to do a series of programs with a similar format as the original one. The first program in this series aired Monday, February 17, 1964, at 10:30 p.m.
On October 13, 1964, the Better Book Room held an Open House and book signing event to celebrate the publication of Dr. Meredith's book Hurryin' Big for Little Reasons.
The Meredith family left in the summer of 1965 on an extended trip to Canada, Iowa, Minnesota and California. Dr. Meredith returned to the pulpit on September 12. Their daughter, Sandra, married Harold Leffel on September 10, 7:30 p.m.
On January 2, 1966, an Open House was held to celebrate First Methodist's 95th year in Wichita. This church was established in 1870 with a membership of 10. . . in 1965 the membership numbered 3,600. The day's celebration included the dedication of the outdoor mosaic mural - the largest of its kind in North America - created by Bernard Frazier, dedicated to the memory of Dr. Tom Williams and underwritten by the Woman's Society of Christian Service of First Methodist Church.
In June, 1966, Dr. Meredith announced that he would be taking a six month sabbatical leave from his active ministry. "I am most grateful to the Pastoral Relations and Finance Committees for their unanimous decisions to allow me to take approximately six months leave, beginning July 1st, the first leave I have enjoyed in almost thirty years of preaching," said Dr. Meredith. The October 7, 1966, church newspaper announced that "The request of Dr. Ronald R. Meredith, Senior Minister of First Methodist Church, to enter a full time career of writing and lecturing across the nation has been honored by his Official Board and Bishop McFerrin Stowe of the Kansas Area." In a statement from Dr. Meredith he said, "Almost fourteen years have come and gone since that exciting February Sunday morning in 1953 when I preached my first sermon in the old sanctuary. To paraphrase the words of Abraham Lincoln, 'here I have grown from a young to a middle aged man.' These years have been years of struggle and accomplishment. One of the most beautiful church plants in the world will continue to offer its benediction across the years."
During the years following Dr. Meredith's resignation, he was invited to return to FUMC's pulpit to help celebrate special events and to bring to the congregation the wit and wisdom that only he could portray.
Dr. Meredith died February 20, 1987, and was interred at Resthaven Memorial Cemetery in Wichita, Kansas.
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When Dr. Meredith decided not to return to the pulpit at First Church, Dr. D. Lawrence Landrum was appointed to serve First United Methodist Church. Dr. Landrum began his pastorate at FUMC on May 1, 1967.
D. Lawrence Landrum was born October 1, 1928, in Houston, Texas. His father was a Methodist minister and a District Superintendent when Rev. Landrum received this appointment to serve FUMC in Wichita.
Rev. Landrum was extremely interested in pursuing further education to help equip himself for ministry. He had received a B.A. Degree from Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas, and a B.D. Degree from Perkins Theological Seminary in Dallas, Texas. In January 1968, he went to Yale Divinity School for a few days of study. He had accepted a fellowship at Yale which involved a series of postgraduate studies for the next three years.
Some of his activities, which reveal his interests, are seen in his time in Houston. In 1964, he paid a visit to Dr. Albert Schweitzer at his hospital in Gabon and visits to various mission fields in the Congo. He made visits to the Holy Land and to Europe. For two years he was a writer of religious news for the Houston Chronicle.
Rev. Landrum joined the Texas Conference in 1950 and pastored several churches in Texas. At the time he was appointed to First Church Wichita, he was serving Memorial Drive Methodist Church in Houston. He had been appointed in 1958 to organize this church. When he left nine years later, the membership had grown to 2,500.
Less than one year after arriving in Wichita, Rav. Landrum and his wife, Betty, were killed in an airplane crash near Clearwater, Kansas, on April 21, 1968. Killed in the same crash were Mr. and Mrs. Drew Noble, members of FUMC. Rev. and Mrs. Landrum were survived by two children; Laura, aged 10, and Larry, aged 9.
It was such a tragedy for the church to lose their new pastor and his wife, as well as the Noble family.
In the brief time in which he served as Senior Pastor, there was a lot of activity in the area of art and drama in the church. The Crown Players presented the drama "Lark" on April 4, 1968. There was an organ and orchestra concert on April 16, 1968. Mrs. R. 0. Bradshaw served as Chairman of the Religious Arts Committee.
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