Our History

The Christian Church was organized in Sedgwick, Kansas, February 23, 1896, after a four-week meeting in Congdon's Opera House, held by J. H. Fuller. There were 34 charter members. During the week following eleven more members were added: Viola Hume, Harden Hume, May Hume, James Fulton, Mrs. Laura Fulton, Rosella Anderson, Mollie Anderson, J.H. Humphrey, Margaret Wilson, Mollie Sandidge.

The first officers of the church were Elders: Robert Rogers and Lewis Crum; Deacons: Philo Morris, Wm. Fulton, Oscar Adamson; Trustees: S.M. Stewart, A.C. Morris, Lee Stewart, Robert Rogers, and W.A. Hume; Treasurer: W.A. Hume; Clerk: Oscar Adamson.

The following spring the Christian Church from Darlington Township was moved to Sedgwick and was dedicated May 1, 1886, by Bro. G.T. Grobarger. The first pastor was J.H. Fuller. In 1907 an addition was built on the east side of the church. The old church was moved to the east side of the lot and later sold. In the Fall of 1912, the contract was let to Boone Siler to build a new church. It was completed and dedicated February 16, 1913 by George L. Smiley. The following Fall the contract was let to Geo. Elliot to build a modern church parsonage.

In January 1977, the congregation voted to have the church name removed from the Disciples of Christ yearbook with a resolution to be independent of any denomination.

In 1978 due to structural deterioration, the church membership voted to construct a new building, the third Christian Church to set on the corner of Sixth Street and Franklin in Sedgwick. This dedication was held on August 26, 1979. The total cost of the building was $174,116.61, and the congregation celebrated the mortgage being "Paid-in-Full" on August 26, 1984.

In the summer of 1990, the church celebrated its 100th year anniversary with an old-fashioned tent revival and ice cream social in the park. The theme, "The Old Gospel for a New Century", reflected the church's long history of faith and its plans toward continuing faithfulness.

In 1993, under the supervision of the church's minister, Kim Beckwith, a new wing was added onto the south of the existing building. This was the first phase of a proposed building expansion program.

During the over 100-year history of the First Christian Church in Sedgwick, there have been a total of twenty-nine men who have served as ministers to the congregation.

• J.H. Fuller, April 1896 - October 1896
• M.L. Munn, February 1887 - July 1898
• G.M. McLaine, July 1888 - July 1899
• Elster M. Hale, September 1899 - December 1900
• Charles Burridge, February 1901 - August 1901
• D.D. Boyle, Fall of 1901 - Spring of 1902
• B.F. Parker, 1902 -1904
• S.F. Wright, 1904 - 1905
• Hattress H. Shick, 1905 - 1907
• E.G. Manley, April 1907 - December 1908
• A.C. Doolittle, Spring of 1908 - 1910
• Harry M. Woods, March 1910 - January 1911
• J.W. Humphries, June 1911 - June 1914
• George O. Marsh, June 1914 - December 1916
• Ray Lessig, January 1917 - February 1920
• Albert Harris, April 1920 - September 1923
• William Daugherty, November 1923 - March 1924
• L.T. Faulders, April 1924 - August 1926
• R.C. Leonard, September 1926 - February 1936
• John H. Thompson, April 1936 - December 1937
• L.T. Faulders, December 1937 - June 1938
• Hugh C. Bugsby, June 1938 - July 1941
• C.L. Brooks, August 1941 - March 1942
• H.J. Howard, May 1942 - November 1944
• Richard E. Vail, February 1945 - December 1947
• Gerald Black, January 1948 - 1951
• Richard E. Vail, 1952 - 1975
• David R. Erwin, 1975 - 1983
• Kim A. Beckwith, August 1983 - Present