FPPC History

HISTORY OF FOREST PARK PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
HUTCHINSON, KANSAS

"The First 100 Years, 1904 - 2004"

In the summer of 1903, Dr. W. R. Gray came to Hutchinson and started a United Presbyterian Mission in an upstairs room on Main Street between 3rd and 4th Avenues, where meetings were held for a short time. Meetings were later held in the pastor's home in the 400 block of East Sherman Street.

In those days, unless one had a horse and buggy, the only way to go anywhere was to walk. At that time there were seventeen United Presbyterians who attended services regularly. One family lived near Partridge on a farm and still attended services regularly.

As the congregation outgrew the pastor's home, arrangements were made to meet at the Seventh Day Adventist Church on the southeast corner of 2nd Avenue and Poplar Street.

On March 20, 1904, a provisional session, consisting of Professor S. A. Wilson and Dr. Harry Ross, came from Sterling and a permanent organization was perfected on July 27, 1904 with seventeen charter members. Bruce Gray, son of the pastor, was the first member received on profession of faith. The Lord blessed this new congregation with continued direction and growth. In October of 1905, an election was held for Elders, resulting in the election of W. Paul Stormont and W. G. Brown, who continued to serve as an Elder for 32 years, until his death in 1937.

Trustees elected at the first congregational meeting in the pastor's home were Miss Martha Monzingo, A. P. Wade, W. P. Stormont, W. G. Brown, and John Sinn. James T. Brown was elected the first Treasurer. With this start, and the potential for growth in the future, a need for a permanent building was apparent. The United Presbyterian Board of Church Extension made an offer of $1,450 for the purchase of a site and $2,000 for a church building. A site was purchased at the northwest corner of 4th Avenue and Poplar Street. This was a residential area just one block from the intersection of four proposed street car routes. The site was ample for the church building and for a parsonage north of the church.   The site provided transportation by street car as well as easy access for the "walk to church" families. Funds for the parsonage were provided by the Women's Board of the church, granted in 1906.

Thus, the Lord blessed this new congregation with a new church building and a new parsonage, in the few short years from 1903 to 1906, and they continued to grow. Soon, the city began to grow northward, and residential building spread northeast and northwest. The street cars did not produce the attendance expected, and the area was becoming very commercialized. The "walk to church" families had a greater distance to walk. In 1921, a new church building was erected on the northwest corner of 6th Avenue and Elm Street, and was dedicated on Easter Sunday, 1922. A manse stood on the lot north of the church, facing Elm Street. This location put the church back into a residential area and the "walk to church" families increased in attendance. The area was subject to flooding, however, and the building suffered severe damage from floods and from excessively hard rains. At the time of the merger of the two Presbyterian groups (United and USA) in 1958, there could only be one First United Presbyterian Church in Hutchinson, so the "USA" group retained the title of First, and the "United" group changed its name to Sixth Avenue United Presbyterian Church. The congregation was blessed with continued growth under the Lord's guidance and direction.

In 1959, a long-time mission church, Irwin Memorial Presbyterian Church located at 5th Avenue and Severance Street, disbanded and a number of their members joined the Sixth Avenue congregation. Membership by the 1960's increased to 350. The manse at 6th and Elm, being much older than the church building, was in bad condition and its repair did not seem feasible. A decision to sell the building was reached. The vacated ground was used to increase parking facilities. A new manse was then constructed at 603 East 25th Avenue, on land donated by the Lyndon and Myrtle Decker family, at a cost of $22,000.

A survey of the congregation in 1964 indicated changes were taking place as to where members were coming from. The congregation was now scattered throughout the city, and "walk to church" families were in the minority. The growth area seemed to be toward families with children. The average age of families was going down to indicate that younger families were predominant. The Sixth and Elm building was obsolete. There were no classrooms intended for the purpose of growth, and no way to stretch. Parking was a problem.   The church office was insufficient in area and working facilities. Restrooms were inadequate and antiquated.

After much deliberation, the congregation began plans for another move. Since the manse dedication in August of 1964, the sense of direction was toward that same area on East 25th Avenue. This was an undeveloped area, but zoned heavily toward residential building. Again, the Lyndon and Myrtle Decker family came to the rescue and donated five acres of their farmland/home site to be used as a new church site. Ground breaking was held on December 18, 1969.

The original plan called for a complete facility in one construction operation. In addition to the sanctuary and class rooms, there was to be a recreational hall, church offices, rest rooms, kitchen, and parlor, with all to be air conditioned. Everything fell into place except the finances. Committees dug in and faced the facts. After much prayer and plain old hard work, a feasible plan did come about. The facility was to be built in three phases, on a "pay-as-we-go" basis. Each phase was to be an entity in itself, to enhance the phase that had been put to use.

In September 1970, the congregation moved into Phase One. The multi-purpose building was begun at 700 East 25th Avenue, which included using the multi-purpose room as a sanctuary and as a fellowship hall and gym. Phase One was officially dedicated on Easter Sunday, April 11, 1971. On August 29, 1976, the multi-purpose room and fellowship hall was named Wade Hall in honor of Harold F. Wade (August 25, 1923 to October 20, 1972), who was chairman of the Building Committee, and through whose guidance and competent leadership, this first phase was completed. The original cost of Phase One was $192,000.

Phase Two of the facility plan was completed in 1978, during the pastorate of Gordon Jewett, and dedicated on Sunday, October 8, 1978.   This phase consisted of a completely new sanctuary, enlargement of the nursery area, and a new entryway. This new phase was completely carpeted and air conditioned. Pews were upholstered and all new furniture was in oak finish. Wade Hall could now be devoted entirely to recreation, fellowship, and athletics. Worship and holy celebrations now centered in the new sanctuary. During this time of expansion and growth, not one payment of the financial obligations had been missed. In the spring of 1995, the paving of the ample parking lot was completed, under the direction of Ralph Canfield and Chester Jones. With the Lord's direction and guidance, this congregation continues to live within its means. The history of this congregation from 1903 to the present is one of growth, progress, and accomplishment, with the tribute being always to the guidance and direction of our Lord Jesus Christ and the working of the Holy Spirit within us. With this faith that strengthens us, we face the future.

The scripture selected for the Centennial Celebration is Hebrews 12:1, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." (NIV)

Several events were held during the year leading up to the 100th birthday. "C-Notes" were presented by several members to express fond memories and tell about different aspects of being part of this congregation. A painting by Jim Gilley included the various places of worship since the founding. Forest Park hosted the meeting of Southern Kansas Presbytery and was honored with a visit by Rev. Susan Andrews, Moderator of the General Assembly, who presented a certificate from the Presbyterian Historical Society recognizing the centennial. A cookbook was compiled by Cindy Jones, including recipes contributed by members. Cliff Jones put together a video with a variety of memories, clips and interviews. A float was designed and constructed for the Hutchfest parade.

One of the highlights of the year, culminating from the hard work of the Pastor Nominating Committee, was the selection of our new pastor, Rev. Chris Davis, who will lead the congregation into the next 100 years and the "race marked out for us".