AMERICUS
The congregation at Americus United Presbyterian Church may be small, but it’s mighty and is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year.
Betty Brown, a longtime member of Americus United Presbyterian Church said the church was founded on March 15, 1859, the second of the denomination in Kansas. It was founded by the Rev. J.N. Smith, who was pastor of the United Presbyterian Church of Berea.
“The late James Elliott a lifelong member of this church, declared that there is unwritten history to prove our church here is the second oldest church organization of any denomination in the state, the nucleus for the present organization having been formed in 1850,” Brown wrote in a written document she prepared about the church’s history. “Americus had been the Mecca for Seceders, attracted by the little group of faith who settled on the Neosho.”
During the early days of the church, no songs were used in worship — only Psalms of David. It wasn’t until later that music was used.
There were many charter members of the church. These included John, Marie and Lydia Heasley; John, Anna, Samuel, James and Martha McCaw; David, Margaret, Mary and Lydia Swim; Mrs. G.W. Torrence; and John F. and John D. Gibson.
“Some of the original charter members have decedents still attending the church,” Brown said.
“When the Gibson family arrived, the name of the church had been changed to the United Presbyterian because of the union at Pittsburgh, Pa., of the Seceders and the Covenanters when they left the mother church,” Brown said.
Services first were held at the Sutton Hotel, where the owner of the hotel made her guests and boarders attend while they were staying there. In 1859, a building was built and used by all denominations. The Rev. G. W. Torrence was a supply pastor.
A brick building was built in 1871. It was destroyed by a tornado in 1881. It was decided to rebuilt by the congregation. The Rev. A Rankin was pastor. Materials were used from the destroyed building and it was built at a cost of $3,500. The original building cost $6,000 to build.
The Rev. F.W. Wilson became pastor from 1896 to 1907.
“The young peoples work probably reached a greater number than at any period of the congregational history,” Brown said. “Membership reached 116.”
During this time, a parsonage was purchased and instrumental music was used.
The church was redecorated between 1915 and 1922. The Rev. J.M. Wallace was pastor from 1922 to 1940.
“The longest pastorate in the history of the congregation,” Brown said.
On May 8, 1938, the building suffered extensive fire damage. The parsonage was sold between 1946 and 1949.
“Americus had many good stated supplies and pastors which also were shared with the Emporia congregation,” Brown said.
A schoolhouse was purchased and used as an annex during the years of 1955 and 1956. A parsonage was built during the 1960s.
“Mrs. Hawkins and Mrs. May Carl, neither a member of the church, raised money for the bell canvassing the countryside per horse back,” Brown said. “They thought someone should have a bell since clocks were scarce. The bell still rings today.”
The congregation at its peak had 116 members and today has 33 active members. The church remains very active in the community.
“A number of members who grew up in the church became missionaries in the United States and abroad,” Brown said.
Church members today are active in mission, make quilts for SOS and Shiloh House and donate to the mission fund and the Presbyterian Children’s’ League.
The current stated supply pastor is Brenda Ulrich, who has been at the church since 2003.
The church is having a 150th celebration on June 28. Church services will start at 10:30 a.m. Dinner and birthday cake will be served that afternoon. Non-members of the church must make reservations by mid-week prior to the service due to space constraints and to make sure enough food is ordered.
For reservations, call (620) 443-5266.