77 10 1856 http://recollectionsks.org/files/original/b713a03cefe32491a79879b67e9f27ca.jpg e163678a97baada3a47af3e7618a8a50 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Rossville Churches History Subject The topic of the resource Churches in the Rossville, Kansas, area. Description An account of the resource Among the various cultural developments in Rossville none was more important than the establishment and growth of organized religions. Shortly after the village of Rossville was started in 1871, some of the settlers felt the need for a church. The first known organized church was the Baptist Church started in August 1871 with nine members. A newspaper account, dated May 1879, about the school house in town says, “…at this time the building is used on Sunday by various church denominations as they are not supplied with church buildings. Six denominations have organized: The Baptist, Presbyterian, Christian, Methodist, Episcopal, Methodist Southern and Advent. The Baptist have begun to erect a neat frame church building.” The Baptists built a small church on the approximate site of the Joe Navarre home on Spruce Street and dedicated this church on February 29, 1880. For a few years after that the Baptist, Christian, Presbyterian and Methodist shared this building—each having the use of it one Sunday a month, morning and evening. The Baptist church disbanded in 1910 and was torn down soon afterwards. Organization of the United Brethren was soon followed by the United Brethren Church, also known as the Olive Branch Church. The first church building in the community was built by its members in about 1877. The old landmark, five miles north of Rossville, was torn down about 1952. Some of the farm folk responsible for its organization and erection were Mr. and Mrs. Joe Franklin, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Franklin, Mr. and Mrs. Marion Lasswell, Mr. and Mrs. Lambert James and their sons, Robert and James, Mr. and Mrs. W.V. Hook, who donated land for the church. A decline in membership prompted the church officials to sell the building to the Czech Christian organization and it served as a worship center for many years. Other denominations organized early, which have little recorded history, including the Colored Baptist, also called Second Baptist. A news clipping shows the Colored Baptist Church was in existence in 1885 and meetings were held at the old school house. At that time they were endeavoring to raise funds for a structure of their own. It was later erected in the southeast part of town on Orange Street. Their building was repaired in December 1904, but soon after the church disbanded. The only information available about the Cambellites, followers of Alexander Cambell, shows that they gathered regularly early in the city’s history. The Cambellites here and in other localities were the forerunners of the early Christian Church. A church was organized with the name Church of Christ in 1872 with Bennet Swearingen, an elder. In 1879 a group was meeting in the school. Between 1880 and when it was decided to build a church, it is believed the members met in the Baptist Church. A deed was recorded on June 29, 1887, for three lots for which they paid $50.00. The exact date of the erection of the present church is not known. Revered Alex Montgomery was a stone mason and laid the church foundation. Charles Bixby, father of the late Albert Bixby, was a carpenter and supervised the building of the church. Lumber was hauled from Topeka by Alex Nadeau and others. The supplies were purchased from the Thomas Lumber Company at Topeka. The first funeral held in the church was for William Lacock, grandfather of the late Albert Bixby. The oldest Sunday School record is dated September 7, 1884, with May Parker its first secretary. Due to an increase in the Christian Church's membership, in 1949 a large room was added to the north side of the building. Other improvements included new colored glass in the windows, and pews from the old United Brethren Church. In December 1960, another addition to the building was completed. As more settlers moved to this community, those who were of the Presbyterian faith organized their group in 1878 and met in the school in town. Reverend E.P. Sempel was the first pastor. A.C. Sherman, Richard Binns, Daniel Wilt, J.C. Bradley, William Bond, Henry Kassebaum, W.M. Mitchner, Sam Kerr, Dr. H.H. Miller and Isaac Trostle were the founders of the church. Later the Presbyterians met in the Baptist Church. In 1883, the Presbyterian group purchased the land on which the present church stands and began to build. The first church was built of red bricks which were made at a brick kiln located at the east edge of town. As the years passed a crack appeared between the bricks in the east end of the building. This fault was used as the reason for tearing town the old building. The present structure was constructed in 1917. The Reverend J.H. Naismith, the originator of the game of basketball, served as pastor in 1922 and 1923. Mr. Gus Kassebaum served as a Trustee for 39 years, from 1915 to 1954. His wife, Mrs. Lula Kassebaum served most of these years as president of the Ladies Missionary Society. The Rossville Charge was organized in the James School House, three miles west of Rossville in the year 1872 under the leadership of Mr. Paul Strimple, a local lay preacher. Shortly afterwards, another group of Methodists (Southern Methodists) met in Rossville and had services at the school in town. These two groups joined in planning construction of a church. Since the Baptists were the first to build a church, the two Methodist groups shared the building. The Methodist Church was chartered and registered with the Secretary of State, June 13, 1881. The first trustees and signers of the charter were: W.G. Gilbert, Isaac Larrance, Joseph Andrews, J.W. Miller, A.E. Strimple, J.T. Heslet, and T.M. Attebury. Building of the new church began in 1884, and it was dedicated on March 1, 1885. Nine years later the south room was added, and it was used as a dining room and meeting room. The Sunday School addition was added in 1960. The name was changed from Methodist Episcopal to Methodist, October 11, 1939. It was again changed in 1968 to United Methodist when the United Brethren and Methodist merged. The Election Day dinner was first served in 1882 and has become an established tradition. Dinner and supper were served to over 175 persons at a cost of 25 cents per person. Some of the men who took an active part in the life of the church were C.E. Gresser, E.G. Griswold and Frank Strimple. Before St. Stanislaus became a reality, according to Ellen Leonhardt of St. Marys, Kansas, Mass was held monthly sometime before 1894 in the Fritz Hall. She remembers accompanying Father Krier, a Jesuit priest, from St. Marys to Rossville along with other girls to sing in the choir. The first St. Stanislaus Church was built under the auspices of Father John B. Kokenge, S.J., who collected about eleven hundred dollars to procure the ground and put up the structure. It measured 42 x 30 feet with a sanctuary that added twelve feet to its length. The corner stone of this mission church was laid by Bishop Fink on June 18, 1899. Many notables from the St. Marys College were present as well as Reverend H.A. Schapman, S.J., former president of Detroit College. The document placed in the stone contained the following: “Leo XIII being Pope, William McKinley being President of the United States, W.E. Stanley being the Governor of Kansas, Joseph Calvin Bradley being Mayor of the city of Rossville, this church to be erected to the honor of God under the invocation of St. Stanislaus Kastka was begun today when the corner stone was laid this the eighteenth day of June in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred and ninety-nine.” The dedication of the completed church took place on October 29, 1899. In 1967, the parish purchased the home across the street from the church, so that the expanding catechetical classes would have a better place to meet. A $20,000 renovation project in 1975-1976 added a brick extension to the front of the church and a full basement. In 1998 Dekat Hall was dedicated and the mortgage was paid off. By 2009 the parish, which encompassed Rossville, Silver Lake, Willard, and Maple Hill, was in need of a bigger building so Don & Kathleen Damon donated a $1.1 million gift for the building of a new church. After raising the additional needed funds, the new worship space for 400 people was built in 2012 near the former church. In the early 1950s a group of believers who met together for weekly Bible Study grew in number so that they were encouraged to secure a property, call a pastor and organize a church. The Stewart property on the corner of Main and Pottawatomie was purchased in June 1952. After renovation, the first services of the Rossville Bible Church were held on September 7, 1952, with Reverend Clarence Swihart as pastor. Reverend Floyd Gee became the second pastor in June 1954. The church purchased a building site from the Hesse family that adjoins the Grade School in August 1960. Reverend Hugh Gardner, Wichita, superintended the construction of a basement to be used for an auditorium. A building was moved from Forbes Air Force Base and set on the basement. June 7, 1970, was a day of rejoicing for the congregation as they had a mortgage-burning service with Reverend Joe Arnedd, Des Moines, Iowa, evangelist, as speaker. Thus is the history of the early churches which no longer exist in the community and the churches which continue to function--though in somewhat different roles than in the early years. Once, the church, as well as the school, was the center of most family activities. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Rossville Community Library Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Rossville Centennial Booklet, 1971 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Rossville Community Library Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Public Domain due to copyright expiration. Original narrative content by RCL is available for use by public. Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Friendly Circle/Women's Society of Christian Service (WSCS) minutes from 1959 Description An account of the resource January 29, 1959: WSCS met at the home of Mrs. Bill Larson Thursday, January 22. Lesson leaders were Elsie Rasch and Helen Queen, on “Rekindling the Gift of India.” Lovely refreshments were served to Esther Stickerod, Eleanor Jones, Elsie Rasch, Jean Lane, Stella Henderson, Amy Meade, Helen Queen, Ruth Larson, Greta Kelsey, Irene Parr, Mrs. Wehmeier, Betty Dick [sic], Vida Whitney. Hostesses were Irene Parr, Betty Dick [sic], Phyllis Keller, Irene Campbell. Greta and Fay Kelsey and Ella Whearty. ----------------------------- March 19, 1959: The WSCS met Thursday, February 26, at the home of Mrs. Walt Swenson. The meeting was called to order by the president, Mrs. Helen Queen. After the business meeting the lesson on Christian Frontier, Literacy and Literature was given by Evelyn Shannon and Amy Meade. It was a very interesting lesson. Hostesses were Ila Whitlock, Mildred Page, Myrtle Lillard, Helen Queen, and Mrs. Gardner. Refreshments of cherry pie alamode and coffee were served to Vina McCiod, Jean Lane and children, Stella Henderson, Grace Hartzell, Pauline Swenson, Evelyn Shannon, Vida Whitney, Mildred Irwin, Eleanor Jones, Amy Meade, Mrs. Gardner and daughter. ----------------------------- April 9, 1959: The WSCS of the Methodist church went to Topeka to spend the afternoon last Thursday at the Methodist Home for the Aged. Approximately 200 members of the Home enjoyed the program presented by the Rossville group. After a brief business meeting conducted by Helen Queen, the worship was led by Inez Richardson and Eleanor Jones. A program of music consisting of vocal trios and violin duets was presented by Irene Campbell. Marguerite Williams, Inez Richardson and Eleanor Jones. A social hour followed with cookies brought by the WSCS and punch supplied by the Home. Those in the group were Vina McCoid. Elsie Rasch, Stella Henderson, Mrs. Wood Rose, Grace Hartzell, Vida Whitney, Myrtle Lillard. Ila Whitlock, Helen Queen, Inez Richardson, Marguerite Williams, Irens Campbell, Eleanor Jones, and Jean Lane. ------------------------------ July 16, 1959: The WSCS met Thursday, June 25, at the home of Mrs. Vina McCoid. The meeting was called to order by the President, Helen Queen. The lesson was given by Esther Sebring and Marceil Lambert. The hostesses were Esther Sebring, Roxie Nadeau, Esther Stickerod, Ann Wade and Grace Hartzell. Lovely refreshments were served to Georgia Lambert, Marceil Lambert, Stella Henderson, Helen Queen, Rita Lou and baby, Evelyn Shannon, Amy Meade, Es-ther Stickerod, Roxie Nadeau, Velda O'Donnell, Grace Hartzell, Vida Whitney, Esther Sebring and Vina McCoid. ------------------------------- October 29, 1959: WSCS met Thursday, September 24, at the home of Mrs. Helen Queen. Worship and program leaders were Mrs. Grace Hartzell and Mrs. Jean Lane. Hostesses were Marjorie Hoobler, Edith McClain, Mildred Irwin, Stella Page and Velda Pardee. Since this was guest month, Belvue was invited. Guests were Mrs. Dean Henniberg, Mrs. Don Kurtz, Mrs. Frank Rischer, Mrs. Claude McCollough. Mrs. Wayne Shade, Mrs. Frank Weeks, Mrs. Arch Inskeep, Mrs. James Hiner Sr., and Mrs. George Most. Rossville members were happy to see so many as it was a rainy day. Rossville members present were Lila Bahner, Ethelyn Ferguson Vina McCoid, Betsy Hurley and Denise, Erma Hoobler, Inez Richardson, Eleanor Jones, Jean Lane, and children, Mildred Page and baby, Ruth Gresser. Evelyn Shannon, Grace Hartzell, Edith McClain, Marjorie Hoobler, Ila Whitlock, Velda Pardee, Amy Meade, Mildred Irwin, Bess Conley and Marguerite Williams. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource The Shawnee County Reporter, Rossville, Kansas Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Rossville Community Library Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1959 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource This work is copyrighted; the copyright holder has granted permission for this item to be used by the Rossville Community Library. This permission does not extend to third parties. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Newspaper clippings Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RCL0541 http://recollectionsks.org/files/original/28b474c158777386b3b24dd3962e2c82.jpg 7be2a72a886246aa50a8b95ebf9ac07b Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Rossville Churches History Subject The topic of the resource Churches in the Rossville, Kansas, area. Description An account of the resource Among the various cultural developments in Rossville none was more important than the establishment and growth of organized religions. Shortly after the village of Rossville was started in 1871, some of the settlers felt the need for a church. The first known organized church was the Baptist Church started in August 1871 with nine members. A newspaper account, dated May 1879, about the school house in town says, “…at this time the building is used on Sunday by various church denominations as they are not supplied with church buildings. Six denominations have organized: The Baptist, Presbyterian, Christian, Methodist, Episcopal, Methodist Southern and Advent. The Baptist have begun to erect a neat frame church building.” The Baptists built a small church on the approximate site of the Joe Navarre home on Spruce Street and dedicated this church on February 29, 1880. For a few years after that the Baptist, Christian, Presbyterian and Methodist shared this building—each having the use of it one Sunday a month, morning and evening. The Baptist church disbanded in 1910 and was torn down soon afterwards. Organization of the United Brethren was soon followed by the United Brethren Church, also known as the Olive Branch Church. The first church building in the community was built by its members in about 1877. The old landmark, five miles north of Rossville, was torn down about 1952. Some of the farm folk responsible for its organization and erection were Mr. and Mrs. Joe Franklin, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Franklin, Mr. and Mrs. Marion Lasswell, Mr. and Mrs. Lambert James and their sons, Robert and James, Mr. and Mrs. W.V. Hook, who donated land for the church. A decline in membership prompted the church officials to sell the building to the Czech Christian organization and it served as a worship center for many years. Other denominations organized early, which have little recorded history, including the Colored Baptist, also called Second Baptist. A news clipping shows the Colored Baptist Church was in existence in 1885 and meetings were held at the old school house. At that time they were endeavoring to raise funds for a structure of their own. It was later erected in the southeast part of town on Orange Street. Their building was repaired in December 1904, but soon after the church disbanded. The only information available about the Cambellites, followers of Alexander Cambell, shows that they gathered regularly early in the city’s history. The Cambellites here and in other localities were the forerunners of the early Christian Church. A church was organized with the name Church of Christ in 1872 with Bennet Swearingen, an elder. In 1879 a group was meeting in the school. Between 1880 and when it was decided to build a church, it is believed the members met in the Baptist Church. A deed was recorded on June 29, 1887, for three lots for which they paid $50.00. The exact date of the erection of the present church is not known. Revered Alex Montgomery was a stone mason and laid the church foundation. Charles Bixby, father of the late Albert Bixby, was a carpenter and supervised the building of the church. Lumber was hauled from Topeka by Alex Nadeau and others. The supplies were purchased from the Thomas Lumber Company at Topeka. The first funeral held in the church was for William Lacock, grandfather of the late Albert Bixby. The oldest Sunday School record is dated September 7, 1884, with May Parker its first secretary. Due to an increase in the Christian Church's membership, in 1949 a large room was added to the north side of the building. Other improvements included new colored glass in the windows, and pews from the old United Brethren Church. In December 1960, another addition to the building was completed. As more settlers moved to this community, those who were of the Presbyterian faith organized their group in 1878 and met in the school in town. Reverend E.P. Sempel was the first pastor. A.C. Sherman, Richard Binns, Daniel Wilt, J.C. Bradley, William Bond, Henry Kassebaum, W.M. Mitchner, Sam Kerr, Dr. H.H. Miller and Isaac Trostle were the founders of the church. Later the Presbyterians met in the Baptist Church. In 1883, the Presbyterian group purchased the land on which the present church stands and began to build. The first church was built of red bricks which were made at a brick kiln located at the east edge of town. As the years passed a crack appeared between the bricks in the east end of the building. This fault was used as the reason for tearing town the old building. The present structure was constructed in 1917. The Reverend J.H. Naismith, the originator of the game of basketball, served as pastor in 1922 and 1923. Mr. Gus Kassebaum served as a Trustee for 39 years, from 1915 to 1954. His wife, Mrs. Lula Kassebaum served most of these years as president of the Ladies Missionary Society. The Rossville Charge was organized in the James School House, three miles west of Rossville in the year 1872 under the leadership of Mr. Paul Strimple, a local lay preacher. Shortly afterwards, another group of Methodists (Southern Methodists) met in Rossville and had services at the school in town. These two groups joined in planning construction of a church. Since the Baptists were the first to build a church, the two Methodist groups shared the building. The Methodist Church was chartered and registered with the Secretary of State, June 13, 1881. The first trustees and signers of the charter were: W.G. Gilbert, Isaac Larrance, Joseph Andrews, J.W. Miller, A.E. Strimple, J.T. Heslet, and T.M. Attebury. Building of the new church began in 1884, and it was dedicated on March 1, 1885. Nine years later the south room was added, and it was used as a dining room and meeting room. The Sunday School addition was added in 1960. The name was changed from Methodist Episcopal to Methodist, October 11, 1939. It was again changed in 1968 to United Methodist when the United Brethren and Methodist merged. The Election Day dinner was first served in 1882 and has become an established tradition. Dinner and supper were served to over 175 persons at a cost of 25 cents per person. Some of the men who took an active part in the life of the church were C.E. Gresser, E.G. Griswold and Frank Strimple. Before St. Stanislaus became a reality, according to Ellen Leonhardt of St. Marys, Kansas, Mass was held monthly sometime before 1894 in the Fritz Hall. She remembers accompanying Father Krier, a Jesuit priest, from St. Marys to Rossville along with other girls to sing in the choir. The first St. Stanislaus Church was built under the auspices of Father John B. Kokenge, S.J., who collected about eleven hundred dollars to procure the ground and put up the structure. It measured 42 x 30 feet with a sanctuary that added twelve feet to its length. The corner stone of this mission church was laid by Bishop Fink on June 18, 1899. Many notables from the St. Marys College were present as well as Reverend H.A. Schapman, S.J., former president of Detroit College. The document placed in the stone contained the following: “Leo XIII being Pope, William McKinley being President of the United States, W.E. Stanley being the Governor of Kansas, Joseph Calvin Bradley being Mayor of the city of Rossville, this church to be erected to the honor of God under the invocation of St. Stanislaus Kastka was begun today when the corner stone was laid this the eighteenth day of June in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred and ninety-nine.” The dedication of the completed church took place on October 29, 1899. In 1967, the parish purchased the home across the street from the church, so that the expanding catechetical classes would have a better place to meet. A $20,000 renovation project in 1975-1976 added a brick extension to the front of the church and a full basement. In 1998 Dekat Hall was dedicated and the mortgage was paid off. By 2009 the parish, which encompassed Rossville, Silver Lake, Willard, and Maple Hill, was in need of a bigger building so Don & Kathleen Damon donated a $1.1 million gift for the building of a new church. After raising the additional needed funds, the new worship space for 400 people was built in 2012 near the former church. In the early 1950s a group of believers who met together for weekly Bible Study grew in number so that they were encouraged to secure a property, call a pastor and organize a church. The Stewart property on the corner of Main and Pottawatomie was purchased in June 1952. After renovation, the first services of the Rossville Bible Church were held on September 7, 1952, with Reverend Clarence Swihart as pastor. Reverend Floyd Gee became the second pastor in June 1954. The church purchased a building site from the Hesse family that adjoins the Grade School in August 1960. Reverend Hugh Gardner, Wichita, superintended the construction of a basement to be used for an auditorium. A building was moved from Forbes Air Force Base and set on the basement. June 7, 1970, was a day of rejoicing for the congregation as they had a mortgage-burning service with Reverend Joe Arnedd, Des Moines, Iowa, evangelist, as speaker. Thus is the history of the early churches which no longer exist in the community and the churches which continue to function--though in somewhat different roles than in the early years. Once, the church, as well as the school, was the center of most family activities. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Rossville Community Library Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Rossville Centennial Booklet, 1971 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Rossville Community Library Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Public Domain due to copyright expiration. Original narrative content by RCL is available for use by public. Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Friendly Circle/Women's Society of Christian Service (WSCS) minutes from 1959 Description An account of the resource January 25, 1965: The Friendly Circle Class of the Rossville Methodist Church met Wednesday, Feb. 17, with Golda Cottle. Stella Henderson was assistant hostess for the covered dish luncheon at noon. The day was spent sewing carpet rags. Present were Amy Meade, Edna Bush, Ida Pauley, Myrtle Lillard, Minnie Ellis, Opal Terrill, Anna Strimple, Mabel Bruce, Esther Mansfield, Ethelyn Ferguson, Grace Hartzell, Myrtle Colcher and Vida Whitney. --------------------------------- March 25, 1965: The Friendly Circle Class of the Rossville Methodist Church met at the home of Mrs. Stella Page Wednesday afternoon with Ruth Page as assistant hostess. A lovely covered dish luncheon was served after a short business meeting. The afternoon was spent sewing carpet rags and quilting. Those present were Stella Henderson, Ella Whearty, Vida Whitney, Myrtle Colcher, Minnie Ellis, Mabel Bruce, Edna Bush, Ethelyn Ferguson, Vina McCoid, Mrs. Strimple, Grace Hartzell, and Esther Mansfield. Visitors were Mary House, Mildred Page and Mrs. Auserman. The next meeting will be at Vina McCouid’s with Ethelyn Ferguson as assistant hostess. ---------------------------------- [date unknown and article cut off] The Friendly Circle Class met at the home of Stella Page Friday, June 18, with Ruth Page as assistant hostess for a covered dish luncheon at noon. The day was spent quilting. Those present were Edna Bush, Amy Meade, Grace Hartzell, Minnie Ellis, Ethelyn Ferguson, Esther Mansfield, Anna Strimple, Myrtle Colcher, Golda Cottle ----------------------------------- April 29, 1965: Friendly Circle Class of the Rossville Methodist Church met at the country home of Vina McCoid Wednesday, April 21. A lovely covered dish luncheon was served at noon. The afternoon was spent sewing carpet rags and viewing Mrs. McCoid’s beautiful collection of glassware. Present were Georgia Lambert, Myrtle Lillard, Stella Henderson, Minnie Ellis, Myrtle Colcher, Amy Meade, Opal Terrill, Esther Mansfield, Ethelyn Ferguson, Vida Whitney, Mabel Bruce, Edna Bush, Louise Wilt and Vina McCoid. ------------------------------------ May 27, 1965: The Friendly Circle Class met with Bess Conley May 19 with Opal Terrill as assistant hostess. The day was spent sewing carpet rags. Election of officers was held during the business hour. Present were Esther Mandsfield, Myrtle Lillard, Golda Cottle, Edna Bush, Ella Whearty, Ellie Jones, Amy Meade, Stella Henderson, Ethelyn Ferguson, Minnie Ellis, Mabel Bruce, Anna Strimple, Vida Whitney, Louise Wilt, Myrtle Colcher, and visitors, Ella Marks and Nellie Rippetoe. ------------------------------------- September 2, 1965: The WSCS of the Rossville Methodist Church met Thursday morning, August 26, for a 9:30 coffee at the home of the president, Mrs. James Conley at Delia. This was the first meeting of the new club year and honored the new minister and his wife, Rev. and Mrs. Clyde Noyce. Entertainment was provided by Miss Jeanette Wilt who sang a solo accompanied by Miss Linda Bush at the piano. A short business meeting was conducted by the president and refreshments of rolls and coffee were served by the hostesses, Edna Bush, Esther Mansfield, and Bess Conley. Present were Rev. and Mrs. Noyce and children, Fern Rogers, Irene Campbell, Lila Bahner, Grace Hartzell, Stella Henderson, Opal Terrill, Jeanette Wilt, Linda Bush, Irene Parr, Elsie Rasch, Pauline Conley and children, Amy Meade, and Mrs. Riley of Wichita. -------------------------------------- May 6, 1965: The Goodwill Industries of Greater Kansas City will have a truck in the Rossville area on May 19, 20, and 21 to pick up discarded clothing, shoes, furniture and household articles. Members of the Rossville Methodist Church or other interested persons in the community may leave things to contribute to this organization at the Methodist Church basement. Or, if you wish the driver to stop at your home for larger items, you may write Goodwill Industries, 1817 Campbell Street, Kansas City, Missouri, or contact Don Jones who will direct the truck to your residence. --------------------------------------- May 13, 1965: Two days of housecleaning will be undertaken on May 17th and 18th in the Rossville Methodist Church. All women of the church have been asked to come and help in the cleaning of the church. --------------------------------------- April 29, 1965: The Women’s Society of the Christian Service of the Rossville Methodist Church met Thursday, April 22, at the church. In the absence of the president, Bess Conley, the vice president, Esther Mansfield, opened the meeting. Janny Lou Campbell played a piano solo and Mrs. Joe Conley gave the lesson on Spanish America, showing slides in addition to her talk. A short business meeting was held and refreshments were served by the hostesses, Myra Hagedorn and Irene Parr. Visitors from St. Marys for the day were Mrs. Hershey, Mrs. Uthoff and daughter, Mrs. Hoobler, Mrs. Cochell and Mrs. Boling. Members attending were Lila Bahner, Irene Campbell, Vina McCoid, Stella Henderson, Opal Terrill, Edna Bush, Pauline Conley, Mildred Page, Eleanor Jones and boys, Esther Mansfield, Myrtle Colcher, Vida Whitney, Amy Meade. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource The Shawnee County Reporter, Rossville, Kansas Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Rossville Community Library Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1965 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource This work is copyrighted; the copyright holder has granted permission for this item to be used by the Rossville Community Library. This permission does not extend to third parties. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource newspaper clippings Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RCL0554 Rossville United Methodist Church http://recollectionsks.org/files/original/7fa7e1a584e8608e15aa1f7794e60a30.jpg d8d1045764887b8a5e0196864c39d63e Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Rossville Churches History Subject The topic of the resource Churches in the Rossville, Kansas, area. Description An account of the resource Among the various cultural developments in Rossville none was more important than the establishment and growth of organized religions. Shortly after the village of Rossville was started in 1871, some of the settlers felt the need for a church. The first known organized church was the Baptist Church started in August 1871 with nine members. A newspaper account, dated May 1879, about the school house in town says, “…at this time the building is used on Sunday by various church denominations as they are not supplied with church buildings. Six denominations have organized: The Baptist, Presbyterian, Christian, Methodist, Episcopal, Methodist Southern and Advent. The Baptist have begun to erect a neat frame church building.” The Baptists built a small church on the approximate site of the Joe Navarre home on Spruce Street and dedicated this church on February 29, 1880. For a few years after that the Baptist, Christian, Presbyterian and Methodist shared this building—each having the use of it one Sunday a month, morning and evening. The Baptist church disbanded in 1910 and was torn down soon afterwards. Organization of the United Brethren was soon followed by the United Brethren Church, also known as the Olive Branch Church. The first church building in the community was built by its members in about 1877. The old landmark, five miles north of Rossville, was torn down about 1952. Some of the farm folk responsible for its organization and erection were Mr. and Mrs. Joe Franklin, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Franklin, Mr. and Mrs. Marion Lasswell, Mr. and Mrs. Lambert James and their sons, Robert and James, Mr. and Mrs. W.V. Hook, who donated land for the church. A decline in membership prompted the church officials to sell the building to the Czech Christian organization and it served as a worship center for many years. Other denominations organized early, which have little recorded history, including the Colored Baptist, also called Second Baptist. A news clipping shows the Colored Baptist Church was in existence in 1885 and meetings were held at the old school house. At that time they were endeavoring to raise funds for a structure of their own. It was later erected in the southeast part of town on Orange Street. Their building was repaired in December 1904, but soon after the church disbanded. The only information available about the Cambellites, followers of Alexander Cambell, shows that they gathered regularly early in the city’s history. The Cambellites here and in other localities were the forerunners of the early Christian Church. A church was organized with the name Church of Christ in 1872 with Bennet Swearingen, an elder. In 1879 a group was meeting in the school. Between 1880 and when it was decided to build a church, it is believed the members met in the Baptist Church. A deed was recorded on June 29, 1887, for three lots for which they paid $50.00. The exact date of the erection of the present church is not known. Revered Alex Montgomery was a stone mason and laid the church foundation. Charles Bixby, father of the late Albert Bixby, was a carpenter and supervised the building of the church. Lumber was hauled from Topeka by Alex Nadeau and others. The supplies were purchased from the Thomas Lumber Company at Topeka. The first funeral held in the church was for William Lacock, grandfather of the late Albert Bixby. The oldest Sunday School record is dated September 7, 1884, with May Parker its first secretary. Due to an increase in the Christian Church's membership, in 1949 a large room was added to the north side of the building. Other improvements included new colored glass in the windows, and pews from the old United Brethren Church. In December 1960, another addition to the building was completed. As more settlers moved to this community, those who were of the Presbyterian faith organized their group in 1878 and met in the school in town. Reverend E.P. Sempel was the first pastor. A.C. Sherman, Richard Binns, Daniel Wilt, J.C. Bradley, William Bond, Henry Kassebaum, W.M. Mitchner, Sam Kerr, Dr. H.H. Miller and Isaac Trostle were the founders of the church. Later the Presbyterians met in the Baptist Church. In 1883, the Presbyterian group purchased the land on which the present church stands and began to build. The first church was built of red bricks which were made at a brick kiln located at the east edge of town. As the years passed a crack appeared between the bricks in the east end of the building. This fault was used as the reason for tearing town the old building. The present structure was constructed in 1917. The Reverend J.H. Naismith, the originator of the game of basketball, served as pastor in 1922 and 1923. Mr. Gus Kassebaum served as a Trustee for 39 years, from 1915 to 1954. His wife, Mrs. Lula Kassebaum served most of these years as president of the Ladies Missionary Society. The Rossville Charge was organized in the James School House, three miles west of Rossville in the year 1872 under the leadership of Mr. Paul Strimple, a local lay preacher. Shortly afterwards, another group of Methodists (Southern Methodists) met in Rossville and had services at the school in town. These two groups joined in planning construction of a church. Since the Baptists were the first to build a church, the two Methodist groups shared the building. The Methodist Church was chartered and registered with the Secretary of State, June 13, 1881. The first trustees and signers of the charter were: W.G. Gilbert, Isaac Larrance, Joseph Andrews, J.W. Miller, A.E. Strimple, J.T. Heslet, and T.M. Attebury. Building of the new church began in 1884, and it was dedicated on March 1, 1885. Nine years later the south room was added, and it was used as a dining room and meeting room. The Sunday School addition was added in 1960. The name was changed from Methodist Episcopal to Methodist, October 11, 1939. It was again changed in 1968 to United Methodist when the United Brethren and Methodist merged. The Election Day dinner was first served in 1882 and has become an established tradition. Dinner and supper were served to over 175 persons at a cost of 25 cents per person. Some of the men who took an active part in the life of the church were C.E. Gresser, E.G. Griswold and Frank Strimple. Before St. Stanislaus became a reality, according to Ellen Leonhardt of St. Marys, Kansas, Mass was held monthly sometime before 1894 in the Fritz Hall. She remembers accompanying Father Krier, a Jesuit priest, from St. Marys to Rossville along with other girls to sing in the choir. The first St. Stanislaus Church was built under the auspices of Father John B. Kokenge, S.J., who collected about eleven hundred dollars to procure the ground and put up the structure. It measured 42 x 30 feet with a sanctuary that added twelve feet to its length. The corner stone of this mission church was laid by Bishop Fink on June 18, 1899. Many notables from the St. Marys College were present as well as Reverend H.A. Schapman, S.J., former president of Detroit College. The document placed in the stone contained the following: “Leo XIII being Pope, William McKinley being President of the United States, W.E. Stanley being the Governor of Kansas, Joseph Calvin Bradley being Mayor of the city of Rossville, this church to be erected to the honor of God under the invocation of St. Stanislaus Kastka was begun today when the corner stone was laid this the eighteenth day of June in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred and ninety-nine.” The dedication of the completed church took place on October 29, 1899. In 1967, the parish purchased the home across the street from the church, so that the expanding catechetical classes would have a better place to meet. A $20,000 renovation project in 1975-1976 added a brick extension to the front of the church and a full basement. In 1998 Dekat Hall was dedicated and the mortgage was paid off. By 2009 the parish, which encompassed Rossville, Silver Lake, Willard, and Maple Hill, was in need of a bigger building so Don & Kathleen Damon donated a $1.1 million gift for the building of a new church. After raising the additional needed funds, the new worship space for 400 people was built in 2012 near the former church. In the early 1950s a group of believers who met together for weekly Bible Study grew in number so that they were encouraged to secure a property, call a pastor and organize a church. The Stewart property on the corner of Main and Pottawatomie was purchased in June 1952. After renovation, the first services of the Rossville Bible Church were held on September 7, 1952, with Reverend Clarence Swihart as pastor. Reverend Floyd Gee became the second pastor in June 1954. The church purchased a building site from the Hesse family that adjoins the Grade School in August 1960. Reverend Hugh Gardner, Wichita, superintended the construction of a basement to be used for an auditorium. A building was moved from Forbes Air Force Base and set on the basement. June 7, 1970, was a day of rejoicing for the congregation as they had a mortgage-burning service with Reverend Joe Arnedd, Des Moines, Iowa, evangelist, as speaker. Thus is the history of the early churches which no longer exist in the community and the churches which continue to function--though in somewhat different roles than in the early years. Once, the church, as well as the school, was the center of most family activities. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Rossville Community Library Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Rossville Centennial Booklet, 1971 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Rossville Community Library Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Public Domain due to copyright expiration. Original narrative content by RCL is available for use by public. Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Friendly Circle/Women's Society of Christian Service (WSCS) minutes from 1962 Description An account of the resource March 1, 1962: WSCS met at the home of Mrs. Rolland Parr on Thursday afternoon, February 23, The meeting was called to order by the President, Mrs. Ruth Larson. Worship service was given by Beverly Gentry and Betty Dick. The lesson was entitled, "The Mission of the Church of Christ in Latin America.’’ It was a well- prepared and very interesting program. Hostesses for the afternoon were Vina McCoid, Lila Bahner, Georgia Lambert, Stella Henderson, and Irene Campbell. Others present were Betty Dick, Ruth Larson, Beverly Gentry, Irene Parr and Howard, Eleanor Jones, Mildred Page and Roger, Pauline Conley, Amy Meade. The Friendly Circle Class met at the home of Stella Henderson Wednesday, February 21, with an all-day quilting meeting. Those present were Iva Stitt, Seba Baird, Minnie Givens, Daisy Crow, Minnie Ellis, Vida Whitney, Ellie Jones and baby, Stella Page, Mildred Page and Roger, Linda Barney, Bess Conley, Amy Meade, Ethelyn Ferguson, Georgia Lambert, Golda Cottle, and the hostess, Stella Henderson. -------------------- March 29, 1962: WSCS met Thursday, March 22, at the home of Mrs. Luther McClain. The meeting was called to order by the president, Ruth Larson. Worship leaders were Mrs. Stella Henderson and Mrs. Erma Hoobler. Refreshments were served to Vida Whitney, Irene Parr and Howard, Ruth Larson, Eleanor Jones, Pauline Conley, Edna Bush and Cathy, Stella Henderson, Erma Hoobler and Janey, Georgia Lambert, Marjorie Hoobler, Myrtle Lillard and Amy Meade. -------------------- May 24, 1962: The Women’s Society of Christian Service of the Methodist Church met on May 17th at the home of Mildred Page. The meeting was called to order by the vice president, Vina McCoid. Lesson leaders were Pauline Conley, Stella Henderson and Amy Meade who gave the lesson on Americans of Spanish Speaking Background. Hostesses served ice tea and cake and ice cream. Those present were Lila Bahner, Stella Henderson, Ruth Page, Pauline Conley and children, Vina McCoid, Laura Gardner, Amy Meade, Mildred Page and Roger. -------------------- July 5, 1962: WSCS Installs Officers The WSCS of the Methodist Church met at the home of Mrs. Bill Larson on Thursday, June 28, for a covered dish luncheon at noon. Lesson leaders were Esther Sebring and Pauline Conley on “Deaconess and Missionary”. It was a well given lesson and a wonderful discussion. New officers installed for 1962-63 were: Vina McCoid, President; Elsie Rasch, Vice President; Ruth Hesse, Treasurer; Mildred Page, Secretary, and other officers. Those present were Mildred Page and children, Pauline Conley and children, Minnie Ellis, Lila Bahner and Connie, Vina McCoid, Stella Henderson, Esther Sebring, Ruth Hesse, Edna Bush, Vida Whitney, Laura Gardner and daughter, and Amy Meade. -------------------- November 22, 1962: The W.S.C.S. met Thursday, November 12th at the home of Mrs. Rolland Parr. A very interesting lesson was given by Irene Parr, Liz Hesse and Esther Mansfield. Katheryn Gresser and Jelene Kelsey gave a piano duet. Lovely refreshments were served by the committee to the following, Irene Campbell, Liz Hesse and Scottie, Myrtle Lillard, Eleanor Jones and baby, Esther Mansfield, Ruth Hesse, Vina McCoid, Irene Parr, Elsa Rasch, Stella Henderson, Mrs. Bush, Amy Meade and Ruth Larson. A gift exchange of $1.00 was voted for Christmas. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource The Shawnee County Reporter, Rossville, Kansas Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Rossville Community Library Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1962 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource This work is copyrighted; the copyright holder has granted permission for this item to be used by the Rossville Community Library. This permission does not extend to third parties. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource newspaper clippings Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RCL0533 Rossville United Methodist Church http://recollectionsks.org/files/original/d5e6800929d12653a0ec9bf0b07b1e6d.jpg 661a04e138e05edb839fb9ba0a6f02ca Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Rossville Churches History Subject The topic of the resource Churches in the Rossville, Kansas, area. Description An account of the resource Among the various cultural developments in Rossville none was more important than the establishment and growth of organized religions. Shortly after the village of Rossville was started in 1871, some of the settlers felt the need for a church. The first known organized church was the Baptist Church started in August 1871 with nine members. A newspaper account, dated May 1879, about the school house in town says, “…at this time the building is used on Sunday by various church denominations as they are not supplied with church buildings. Six denominations have organized: The Baptist, Presbyterian, Christian, Methodist, Episcopal, Methodist Southern and Advent. The Baptist have begun to erect a neat frame church building.” The Baptists built a small church on the approximate site of the Joe Navarre home on Spruce Street and dedicated this church on February 29, 1880. For a few years after that the Baptist, Christian, Presbyterian and Methodist shared this building—each having the use of it one Sunday a month, morning and evening. The Baptist church disbanded in 1910 and was torn down soon afterwards. Organization of the United Brethren was soon followed by the United Brethren Church, also known as the Olive Branch Church. The first church building in the community was built by its members in about 1877. The old landmark, five miles north of Rossville, was torn down about 1952. Some of the farm folk responsible for its organization and erection were Mr. and Mrs. Joe Franklin, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Franklin, Mr. and Mrs. Marion Lasswell, Mr. and Mrs. Lambert James and their sons, Robert and James, Mr. and Mrs. W.V. Hook, who donated land for the church. A decline in membership prompted the church officials to sell the building to the Czech Christian organization and it served as a worship center for many years. Other denominations organized early, which have little recorded history, including the Colored Baptist, also called Second Baptist. A news clipping shows the Colored Baptist Church was in existence in 1885 and meetings were held at the old school house. At that time they were endeavoring to raise funds for a structure of their own. It was later erected in the southeast part of town on Orange Street. Their building was repaired in December 1904, but soon after the church disbanded. The only information available about the Cambellites, followers of Alexander Cambell, shows that they gathered regularly early in the city’s history. The Cambellites here and in other localities were the forerunners of the early Christian Church. A church was organized with the name Church of Christ in 1872 with Bennet Swearingen, an elder. In 1879 a group was meeting in the school. Between 1880 and when it was decided to build a church, it is believed the members met in the Baptist Church. A deed was recorded on June 29, 1887, for three lots for which they paid $50.00. The exact date of the erection of the present church is not known. Revered Alex Montgomery was a stone mason and laid the church foundation. Charles Bixby, father of the late Albert Bixby, was a carpenter and supervised the building of the church. Lumber was hauled from Topeka by Alex Nadeau and others. The supplies were purchased from the Thomas Lumber Company at Topeka. The first funeral held in the church was for William Lacock, grandfather of the late Albert Bixby. The oldest Sunday School record is dated September 7, 1884, with May Parker its first secretary. Due to an increase in the Christian Church's membership, in 1949 a large room was added to the north side of the building. Other improvements included new colored glass in the windows, and pews from the old United Brethren Church. In December 1960, another addition to the building was completed. As more settlers moved to this community, those who were of the Presbyterian faith organized their group in 1878 and met in the school in town. Reverend E.P. Sempel was the first pastor. A.C. Sherman, Richard Binns, Daniel Wilt, J.C. Bradley, William Bond, Henry Kassebaum, W.M. Mitchner, Sam Kerr, Dr. H.H. Miller and Isaac Trostle were the founders of the church. Later the Presbyterians met in the Baptist Church. In 1883, the Presbyterian group purchased the land on which the present church stands and began to build. The first church was built of red bricks which were made at a brick kiln located at the east edge of town. As the years passed a crack appeared between the bricks in the east end of the building. This fault was used as the reason for tearing town the old building. The present structure was constructed in 1917. The Reverend J.H. Naismith, the originator of the game of basketball, served as pastor in 1922 and 1923. Mr. Gus Kassebaum served as a Trustee for 39 years, from 1915 to 1954. His wife, Mrs. Lula Kassebaum served most of these years as president of the Ladies Missionary Society. The Rossville Charge was organized in the James School House, three miles west of Rossville in the year 1872 under the leadership of Mr. Paul Strimple, a local lay preacher. Shortly afterwards, another group of Methodists (Southern Methodists) met in Rossville and had services at the school in town. These two groups joined in planning construction of a church. Since the Baptists were the first to build a church, the two Methodist groups shared the building. The Methodist Church was chartered and registered with the Secretary of State, June 13, 1881. The first trustees and signers of the charter were: W.G. Gilbert, Isaac Larrance, Joseph Andrews, J.W. Miller, A.E. Strimple, J.T. Heslet, and T.M. Attebury. Building of the new church began in 1884, and it was dedicated on March 1, 1885. Nine years later the south room was added, and it was used as a dining room and meeting room. The Sunday School addition was added in 1960. The name was changed from Methodist Episcopal to Methodist, October 11, 1939. It was again changed in 1968 to United Methodist when the United Brethren and Methodist merged. The Election Day dinner was first served in 1882 and has become an established tradition. Dinner and supper were served to over 175 persons at a cost of 25 cents per person. Some of the men who took an active part in the life of the church were C.E. Gresser, E.G. Griswold and Frank Strimple. Before St. Stanislaus became a reality, according to Ellen Leonhardt of St. Marys, Kansas, Mass was held monthly sometime before 1894 in the Fritz Hall. She remembers accompanying Father Krier, a Jesuit priest, from St. Marys to Rossville along with other girls to sing in the choir. The first St. Stanislaus Church was built under the auspices of Father John B. Kokenge, S.J., who collected about eleven hundred dollars to procure the ground and put up the structure. It measured 42 x 30 feet with a sanctuary that added twelve feet to its length. The corner stone of this mission church was laid by Bishop Fink on June 18, 1899. Many notables from the St. Marys College were present as well as Reverend H.A. Schapman, S.J., former president of Detroit College. The document placed in the stone contained the following: “Leo XIII being Pope, William McKinley being President of the United States, W.E. Stanley being the Governor of Kansas, Joseph Calvin Bradley being Mayor of the city of Rossville, this church to be erected to the honor of God under the invocation of St. Stanislaus Kastka was begun today when the corner stone was laid this the eighteenth day of June in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred and ninety-nine.” The dedication of the completed church took place on October 29, 1899. In 1967, the parish purchased the home across the street from the church, so that the expanding catechetical classes would have a better place to meet. A $20,000 renovation project in 1975-1976 added a brick extension to the front of the church and a full basement. In 1998 Dekat Hall was dedicated and the mortgage was paid off. By 2009 the parish, which encompassed Rossville, Silver Lake, Willard, and Maple Hill, was in need of a bigger building so Don & Kathleen Damon donated a $1.1 million gift for the building of a new church. After raising the additional needed funds, the new worship space for 400 people was built in 2012 near the former church. In the early 1950s a group of believers who met together for weekly Bible Study grew in number so that they were encouraged to secure a property, call a pastor and organize a church. The Stewart property on the corner of Main and Pottawatomie was purchased in June 1952. After renovation, the first services of the Rossville Bible Church were held on September 7, 1952, with Reverend Clarence Swihart as pastor. Reverend Floyd Gee became the second pastor in June 1954. The church purchased a building site from the Hesse family that adjoins the Grade School in August 1960. Reverend Hugh Gardner, Wichita, superintended the construction of a basement to be used for an auditorium. A building was moved from Forbes Air Force Base and set on the basement. June 7, 1970, was a day of rejoicing for the congregation as they had a mortgage-burning service with Reverend Joe Arnedd, Des Moines, Iowa, evangelist, as speaker. Thus is the history of the early churches which no longer exist in the community and the churches which continue to function--though in somewhat different roles than in the early years. Once, the church, as well as the school, was the center of most family activities. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Rossville Community Library Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Rossville Centennial Booklet, 1971 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Rossville Community Library Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Public Domain due to copyright expiration. Original narrative content by RCL is available for use by public. Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Friendly Circle/Women's Society of Christian Service (WSCS) minutes from 1962 Description An account of the resource January 25, 1962: The Friendly Circle Class met with Stella Henderson January 17 for a covered dish luncheon at noon with Golda Cottle assisting. Those present were Mildred Rupin, Seba Baird, Bess Conley, Minnie Ellis, Minnie Given, Myrtle Lillard, Ethelyn Ferguson, Georgia Lambert, Stella Page, Vida Whitney, and a visitor, Mrs. Rupin. -------------------------- April 26, 1962: The Friendly Circle Class met at the home of Myrtle Lillard with Ethelyn Ferguson as assistant hostess. A lovely covered dish luncheon was served at noon with a short business meeting conducted by the president, Amy Meade, following the dinner. After the meeting the day was spent quilting for Mrs. Page. Those present were Mrs. Cornelia Stevens from Topeka, Minnie Givens, Minnie Ellis, Iva Stitt, Bess Conley, Stella Henderson, Ella Whearty, Vida Whitney, Amy Meade, Georgia Lambert, Ellie Jones and baby, Golda Cottle, Stella Page, Linda Barney, Myrtle Lillard and Ethelyn Ferguson. -------------------------- May 24, 1962: Friendly Circle Class met at the home of Mrs. Stella Page on Wednesday, May 16, with a covered dish luncheon at noon. Hostesses were Minnie Ellis, Ellen Whearty, and Ruth Page. Those present were Georgia Lambert, Vida Whitney, Linda Barney, Stella Henderson, Iva Stitt, Minnie Givens, Amy Meade, and visitors, Esther Mansfield, Mildred Page and Roger, and Edna White of South San Francisco, Calif. -------------------------- July 19, 1962: The Friendly Circle Class of the Methodist Church met Wednesday, June 27, at the home of Stella Henderson with Minnie Givens as assistant hostess for a covered dish luncheon. The following officers were elected for 1962-63: Amy Meade, president; Ella Whearty, vice president; Vida Whitney, secretary; and treasurer; Golda Cottle, reporter; Minnie Ellis, card committee. The order of the day was quilting. Those present were Edith Ward, Minnie Ellis, Iva Stitt, Seba Baird, Ethelyn Ferguson, Stella Page, Ella Whearty, Goldie Cottle, Minnie Givens, Georgia Lambert, Stella Henderson, Amy Meade, Mildred Page and children. The next meeting will be July 25 at the home of Minnie Givens with Ethelyn Ferguson and Amy Meade as assistant hostesses. --------------------------- August 2, 1962: The Friendly Circle Class met Wednesday, July 25, at the home of Mrs. Minnie Givens with a covered dish luncheon at noon. Ethelyn Ferguson and Amy Meade assisted. Those present were Daisy Crow, Stella Page, Minnie Given, Stella Henderson, Ella Whearty, Iva Stitt, Eleanor Jones, Vida Whitney, Linda Barney, Minnie Ellis, Ethelyn Ferguson and Amy Meade. They all enjoyed quilting for the day. Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Retter and family of Lawrence, Kansas, spent Sunday evening visiting Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Larson and family. --------------------------- August 23, 1962: The Friendly Circle Class met Wednesday, August 15, at the home of Stella Page, with a covered dish luncheon at noon. Hostesses were Georgia Lambert and Ruth Page. The afternoon was spent quilting. Last Friday the group enjoyed a watermelon party. Those present were Minnie Ellis, Ella Whearty, Stella Henderson, Seba Baird, Ethelyn Ferguson, Iva Stitt, Minnie Givens, Georgia Lambert, Ellie Jones, Myrtle Lillard, Esther Mansfield and Tommie, Ruth Page, Mildred Page and children, Stella Page, Vida Whitney and Amy Meade. ---------------------------- December 27, 1962: The Friendly Circle Class had a party December 14 at the home of Mildred Rupin. The house was beautifully decorated in the Christmas spirit. After a short program, several appropriate games were played and then a gift exchange. Dainty refreshments were served by the following committee, Minnie Ellia, Veda Whitney and Mildred Rupin. Those present were Darlene Berry, Ellie Jones and baby, Bess Conley, Ruth Page, Ethelyn Ferguson, Seba Baird, Stella Henderson, Stella Page, Iva Stitts, Myrtle Lillard, Georgia Lambert, Elsie Moran, Ella Whearty, Ester Mansfield, Mable Bruce, Amy Meade, Linda Barney, Golda Cottle, Opal Tillman and the hostesses Minnie Ellis, Veda Whitnev and Mildred Rupin. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource The Shawnee County Reporter, Rossville, Kansas Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Rossville Community Library Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1962 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource This work is copyrighted; the copyright holder has granted permission for this item to be used by the Rossville Community Library. This permission does not extend to third parties. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource newspaper clippings Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RCL0534 Rossville United Methodist Church http://recollectionsks.org/files/original/90b2648cc88864f52bab046b8ba830cc.jpg 0dcb03a7a241d7c31d8f767d34598eb9 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Rossville Churches History Subject The topic of the resource Churches in the Rossville, Kansas, area. Description An account of the resource Among the various cultural developments in Rossville none was more important than the establishment and growth of organized religions. Shortly after the village of Rossville was started in 1871, some of the settlers felt the need for a church. The first known organized church was the Baptist Church started in August 1871 with nine members. A newspaper account, dated May 1879, about the school house in town says, “…at this time the building is used on Sunday by various church denominations as they are not supplied with church buildings. Six denominations have organized: The Baptist, Presbyterian, Christian, Methodist, Episcopal, Methodist Southern and Advent. The Baptist have begun to erect a neat frame church building.” The Baptists built a small church on the approximate site of the Joe Navarre home on Spruce Street and dedicated this church on February 29, 1880. For a few years after that the Baptist, Christian, Presbyterian and Methodist shared this building—each having the use of it one Sunday a month, morning and evening. The Baptist church disbanded in 1910 and was torn down soon afterwards. Organization of the United Brethren was soon followed by the United Brethren Church, also known as the Olive Branch Church. The first church building in the community was built by its members in about 1877. The old landmark, five miles north of Rossville, was torn down about 1952. Some of the farm folk responsible for its organization and erection were Mr. and Mrs. Joe Franklin, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Franklin, Mr. and Mrs. Marion Lasswell, Mr. and Mrs. Lambert James and their sons, Robert and James, Mr. and Mrs. W.V. Hook, who donated land for the church. A decline in membership prompted the church officials to sell the building to the Czech Christian organization and it served as a worship center for many years. Other denominations organized early, which have little recorded history, including the Colored Baptist, also called Second Baptist. A news clipping shows the Colored Baptist Church was in existence in 1885 and meetings were held at the old school house. At that time they were endeavoring to raise funds for a structure of their own. It was later erected in the southeast part of town on Orange Street. Their building was repaired in December 1904, but soon after the church disbanded. The only information available about the Cambellites, followers of Alexander Cambell, shows that they gathered regularly early in the city’s history. The Cambellites here and in other localities were the forerunners of the early Christian Church. A church was organized with the name Church of Christ in 1872 with Bennet Swearingen, an elder. In 1879 a group was meeting in the school. Between 1880 and when it was decided to build a church, it is believed the members met in the Baptist Church. A deed was recorded on June 29, 1887, for three lots for which they paid $50.00. The exact date of the erection of the present church is not known. Revered Alex Montgomery was a stone mason and laid the church foundation. Charles Bixby, father of the late Albert Bixby, was a carpenter and supervised the building of the church. Lumber was hauled from Topeka by Alex Nadeau and others. The supplies were purchased from the Thomas Lumber Company at Topeka. The first funeral held in the church was for William Lacock, grandfather of the late Albert Bixby. The oldest Sunday School record is dated September 7, 1884, with May Parker its first secretary. Due to an increase in the Christian Church's membership, in 1949 a large room was added to the north side of the building. Other improvements included new colored glass in the windows, and pews from the old United Brethren Church. In December 1960, another addition to the building was completed. As more settlers moved to this community, those who were of the Presbyterian faith organized their group in 1878 and met in the school in town. Reverend E.P. Sempel was the first pastor. A.C. Sherman, Richard Binns, Daniel Wilt, J.C. Bradley, William Bond, Henry Kassebaum, W.M. Mitchner, Sam Kerr, Dr. H.H. Miller and Isaac Trostle were the founders of the church. Later the Presbyterians met in the Baptist Church. In 1883, the Presbyterian group purchased the land on which the present church stands and began to build. The first church was built of red bricks which were made at a brick kiln located at the east edge of town. As the years passed a crack appeared between the bricks in the east end of the building. This fault was used as the reason for tearing town the old building. The present structure was constructed in 1917. The Reverend J.H. Naismith, the originator of the game of basketball, served as pastor in 1922 and 1923. Mr. Gus Kassebaum served as a Trustee for 39 years, from 1915 to 1954. His wife, Mrs. Lula Kassebaum served most of these years as president of the Ladies Missionary Society. The Rossville Charge was organized in the James School House, three miles west of Rossville in the year 1872 under the leadership of Mr. Paul Strimple, a local lay preacher. Shortly afterwards, another group of Methodists (Southern Methodists) met in Rossville and had services at the school in town. These two groups joined in planning construction of a church. Since the Baptists were the first to build a church, the two Methodist groups shared the building. The Methodist Church was chartered and registered with the Secretary of State, June 13, 1881. The first trustees and signers of the charter were: W.G. Gilbert, Isaac Larrance, Joseph Andrews, J.W. Miller, A.E. Strimple, J.T. Heslet, and T.M. Attebury. Building of the new church began in 1884, and it was dedicated on March 1, 1885. Nine years later the south room was added, and it was used as a dining room and meeting room. The Sunday School addition was added in 1960. The name was changed from Methodist Episcopal to Methodist, October 11, 1939. It was again changed in 1968 to United Methodist when the United Brethren and Methodist merged. The Election Day dinner was first served in 1882 and has become an established tradition. Dinner and supper were served to over 175 persons at a cost of 25 cents per person. Some of the men who took an active part in the life of the church were C.E. Gresser, E.G. Griswold and Frank Strimple. Before St. Stanislaus became a reality, according to Ellen Leonhardt of St. Marys, Kansas, Mass was held monthly sometime before 1894 in the Fritz Hall. She remembers accompanying Father Krier, a Jesuit priest, from St. Marys to Rossville along with other girls to sing in the choir. The first St. Stanislaus Church was built under the auspices of Father John B. Kokenge, S.J., who collected about eleven hundred dollars to procure the ground and put up the structure. It measured 42 x 30 feet with a sanctuary that added twelve feet to its length. The corner stone of this mission church was laid by Bishop Fink on June 18, 1899. Many notables from the St. Marys College were present as well as Reverend H.A. Schapman, S.J., former president of Detroit College. The document placed in the stone contained the following: “Leo XIII being Pope, William McKinley being President of the United States, W.E. Stanley being the Governor of Kansas, Joseph Calvin Bradley being Mayor of the city of Rossville, this church to be erected to the honor of God under the invocation of St. Stanislaus Kastka was begun today when the corner stone was laid this the eighteenth day of June in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred and ninety-nine.” The dedication of the completed church took place on October 29, 1899. In 1967, the parish purchased the home across the street from the church, so that the expanding catechetical classes would have a better place to meet. A $20,000 renovation project in 1975-1976 added a brick extension to the front of the church and a full basement. In 1998 Dekat Hall was dedicated and the mortgage was paid off. By 2009 the parish, which encompassed Rossville, Silver Lake, Willard, and Maple Hill, was in need of a bigger building so Don & Kathleen Damon donated a $1.1 million gift for the building of a new church. After raising the additional needed funds, the new worship space for 400 people was built in 2012 near the former church. In the early 1950s a group of believers who met together for weekly Bible Study grew in number so that they were encouraged to secure a property, call a pastor and organize a church. The Stewart property on the corner of Main and Pottawatomie was purchased in June 1952. After renovation, the first services of the Rossville Bible Church were held on September 7, 1952, with Reverend Clarence Swihart as pastor. Reverend Floyd Gee became the second pastor in June 1954. The church purchased a building site from the Hesse family that adjoins the Grade School in August 1960. Reverend Hugh Gardner, Wichita, superintended the construction of a basement to be used for an auditorium. A building was moved from Forbes Air Force Base and set on the basement. June 7, 1970, was a day of rejoicing for the congregation as they had a mortgage-burning service with Reverend Joe Arnedd, Des Moines, Iowa, evangelist, as speaker. Thus is the history of the early churches which no longer exist in the community and the churches which continue to function--though in somewhat different roles than in the early years. Once, the church, as well as the school, was the center of most family activities. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Rossville Community Library Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Rossville Centennial Booklet, 1971 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Rossville Community Library Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Public Domain due to copyright expiration. Original narrative content by RCL is available for use by public. Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Friendly Circle/Women's Society of Christian Service (WSCS) minutes from 1963 Description An account of the resource January 24, 1963: The Friendly Circle Class met Wednesday, January 16th at the home of Mrs. Stella Page with a covered dish luncheon at noon. Mrs. Amy Meade was the assistant hostess. The day was spent quilting. Those present were Georgia Lambert, Iva Stitt, Ethelyn Ferguson, Ida Pauley, Myrtle Colcher, Vida Whitney, Minnie Givens, Bess Conley, Amy Meade, Stella Henderson, Mary House, Mable Bruce, Esther Mansfield, Mildred Page and Roger and Ella Whearty. ------------------------------------ April 4, 1963: The Friendly Circle Class met at the home of Stella Page with Ethelyn Ferguson and Iva Stitt as hostesses. The day was spent quilting. Those present were Ruth Page, Stella Henderson, Bess Conley, Amy Meade, Golda Cottle, Vida Whitney, Esther Mansfield, Linda Barney, Minnie Given, Mildred Page and Roger and Mary House. ------------------------------------ April 25, 1963: The Friendly Circle Class met at the home of Ruth Page. The day was spent quilting. A lovely covered dish luncheon at noon was served to the following; Esther Mansfield, Amy Meade, Minnie Givens, Myrtle Colcher, Mrs. Hickey, Iva Stitts, Myrtle Lillard, Margie Hoobler, Mildred Page and Roger, Helen Herron, Phyllis Keller and Tammy, Stella Page, Bess Conley, Mary House, Stella Henderson and Vida Whitney. ------------------------------------ May 23, 1963: The Friendly Circle Class met at the home of Stella Page on May 15th. Amy Meade was co-hostess and the day was spent quilting. Those present for the meeting was Seba Baird, Myrtle Colcher, Minnie Givens, Stella Henderson, Maude Hickey, Myrtle Lillard, Georgia Lambert, Esther Mansfield, Mable Bruce, Ruth Page, Ethelyn Ferguson, Golda Cottle, Vida Whitney, Mildred Page and Roger, Stella Page and Amy Meade. The next meeting will be at the home of Amy Meade. ------------------------------------ June 27, 1963: Friendly Circle Class met Wednesday, June 19, at the home of Georgia Lambert. A covered dish luncheon was served at noon. Iva Stitt was hostess. The meeting was called to order by the president for the year’s report. The election of officers was held as follows: president, Amy Meade, vice president Stella Page, secretary-treasurer Vida Whitnev, reporter Goldie Cottle. Present were Vida Whitney, Stella Page, Seba Baird, Minnie Given, Ethelyn Ferguson, Bess Conley, Myrtle Lillard, Iva Stitt, Georgia Lambert, Minnie Ellis, Maude Hickey, Opal Terrill, Amy Meade and Mildred Page. ------------------------------------- December 5, 1963: The Friendly Circle Class of the Rossville Methodist Church met at the home of Vida Whitney November 20 for an all-dav meeting. Lucy Anderson was assistant hostess at a covered dish luncheon. Those present were Georgia Lambert, Seba Baird, Myrtle Lillard, Opal Terrill, Stella Page, Ethelyn Ferguson, Mvrtle Colcher, Maude Hickey, Ruth Page, Ella Wheartv, Amy Meade and Stella Henderson. The next meeting will be with Stella Page for the Christmas meeting and gift exchange. Ruth Page will be assistant hostess. ------------------------------------- April 11, 1963: W.S.C.S of the Methodist Church will meet Thursday April 18 at 1:30 p.m. at the home of Ruth Page. Hostesses are Ruth Gresser, Rowena Gannon, Delores Hesse and Lorena Dick. ------------------------------------- December 19, 1963: The WSCS of the Rossville Methodist Church met Thursday, December 12, at the church for the Christmas meeting. The meeting was opened with Christmas carols played by Linda Bush at the piano. The program was given by Ruth Larson, Edna Spears and Eleanor Jones. A Christmas gift exchange followed the program and refreshments were served. Those present were Ruth Larson, Elsie Rasch, Irene Parr, Vina McCoid, Edna Bush, Opal Farrell, Stella Henderson, Mildred Page and Roger, Eleanor Jones, Grace Hartzell, Edna Spears, Bess Conley and Patricia, Theo Enochs and Amy Meade. Mrs. Emma Aushman from Elmont was a visitor. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource The Shawnee County Reporter, Rossville, Kansas Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Rossville Community Library Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1963 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource This work is copyrighted; the copyright holder has granted permission for this item to be used by the Rossville Community Library. This permission does not extend to third parties. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource newspaper clippings Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RCL0532 Rossville United Methodist Church http://recollectionsks.org/files/original/8953935880d27947562cdc49d8fa6827.jpg 1b52b94b1aec63afdcc9b1df5b6055e2 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Rossville Churches History Subject The topic of the resource Churches in the Rossville, Kansas, area. Description An account of the resource Among the various cultural developments in Rossville none was more important than the establishment and growth of organized religions. Shortly after the village of Rossville was started in 1871, some of the settlers felt the need for a church. The first known organized church was the Baptist Church started in August 1871 with nine members. A newspaper account, dated May 1879, about the school house in town says, “…at this time the building is used on Sunday by various church denominations as they are not supplied with church buildings. Six denominations have organized: The Baptist, Presbyterian, Christian, Methodist, Episcopal, Methodist Southern and Advent. The Baptist have begun to erect a neat frame church building.” The Baptists built a small church on the approximate site of the Joe Navarre home on Spruce Street and dedicated this church on February 29, 1880. For a few years after that the Baptist, Christian, Presbyterian and Methodist shared this building—each having the use of it one Sunday a month, morning and evening. The Baptist church disbanded in 1910 and was torn down soon afterwards. Organization of the United Brethren was soon followed by the United Brethren Church, also known as the Olive Branch Church. The first church building in the community was built by its members in about 1877. The old landmark, five miles north of Rossville, was torn down about 1952. Some of the farm folk responsible for its organization and erection were Mr. and Mrs. Joe Franklin, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Franklin, Mr. and Mrs. Marion Lasswell, Mr. and Mrs. Lambert James and their sons, Robert and James, Mr. and Mrs. W.V. Hook, who donated land for the church. A decline in membership prompted the church officials to sell the building to the Czech Christian organization and it served as a worship center for many years. Other denominations organized early, which have little recorded history, including the Colored Baptist, also called Second Baptist. A news clipping shows the Colored Baptist Church was in existence in 1885 and meetings were held at the old school house. At that time they were endeavoring to raise funds for a structure of their own. It was later erected in the southeast part of town on Orange Street. Their building was repaired in December 1904, but soon after the church disbanded. The only information available about the Cambellites, followers of Alexander Cambell, shows that they gathered regularly early in the city’s history. The Cambellites here and in other localities were the forerunners of the early Christian Church. A church was organized with the name Church of Christ in 1872 with Bennet Swearingen, an elder. In 1879 a group was meeting in the school. Between 1880 and when it was decided to build a church, it is believed the members met in the Baptist Church. A deed was recorded on June 29, 1887, for three lots for which they paid $50.00. The exact date of the erection of the present church is not known. Revered Alex Montgomery was a stone mason and laid the church foundation. Charles Bixby, father of the late Albert Bixby, was a carpenter and supervised the building of the church. Lumber was hauled from Topeka by Alex Nadeau and others. The supplies were purchased from the Thomas Lumber Company at Topeka. The first funeral held in the church was for William Lacock, grandfather of the late Albert Bixby. The oldest Sunday School record is dated September 7, 1884, with May Parker its first secretary. Due to an increase in the Christian Church's membership, in 1949 a large room was added to the north side of the building. Other improvements included new colored glass in the windows, and pews from the old United Brethren Church. In December 1960, another addition to the building was completed. As more settlers moved to this community, those who were of the Presbyterian faith organized their group in 1878 and met in the school in town. Reverend E.P. Sempel was the first pastor. A.C. Sherman, Richard Binns, Daniel Wilt, J.C. Bradley, William Bond, Henry Kassebaum, W.M. Mitchner, Sam Kerr, Dr. H.H. Miller and Isaac Trostle were the founders of the church. Later the Presbyterians met in the Baptist Church. In 1883, the Presbyterian group purchased the land on which the present church stands and began to build. The first church was built of red bricks which were made at a brick kiln located at the east edge of town. As the years passed a crack appeared between the bricks in the east end of the building. This fault was used as the reason for tearing town the old building. The present structure was constructed in 1917. The Reverend J.H. Naismith, the originator of the game of basketball, served as pastor in 1922 and 1923. Mr. Gus Kassebaum served as a Trustee for 39 years, from 1915 to 1954. His wife, Mrs. Lula Kassebaum served most of these years as president of the Ladies Missionary Society. The Rossville Charge was organized in the James School House, three miles west of Rossville in the year 1872 under the leadership of Mr. Paul Strimple, a local lay preacher. Shortly afterwards, another group of Methodists (Southern Methodists) met in Rossville and had services at the school in town. These two groups joined in planning construction of a church. Since the Baptists were the first to build a church, the two Methodist groups shared the building. The Methodist Church was chartered and registered with the Secretary of State, June 13, 1881. The first trustees and signers of the charter were: W.G. Gilbert, Isaac Larrance, Joseph Andrews, J.W. Miller, A.E. Strimple, J.T. Heslet, and T.M. Attebury. Building of the new church began in 1884, and it was dedicated on March 1, 1885. Nine years later the south room was added, and it was used as a dining room and meeting room. The Sunday School addition was added in 1960. The name was changed from Methodist Episcopal to Methodist, October 11, 1939. It was again changed in 1968 to United Methodist when the United Brethren and Methodist merged. The Election Day dinner was first served in 1882 and has become an established tradition. Dinner and supper were served to over 175 persons at a cost of 25 cents per person. Some of the men who took an active part in the life of the church were C.E. Gresser, E.G. Griswold and Frank Strimple. Before St. Stanislaus became a reality, according to Ellen Leonhardt of St. Marys, Kansas, Mass was held monthly sometime before 1894 in the Fritz Hall. She remembers accompanying Father Krier, a Jesuit priest, from St. Marys to Rossville along with other girls to sing in the choir. The first St. Stanislaus Church was built under the auspices of Father John B. Kokenge, S.J., who collected about eleven hundred dollars to procure the ground and put up the structure. It measured 42 x 30 feet with a sanctuary that added twelve feet to its length. The corner stone of this mission church was laid by Bishop Fink on June 18, 1899. Many notables from the St. Marys College were present as well as Reverend H.A. Schapman, S.J., former president of Detroit College. The document placed in the stone contained the following: “Leo XIII being Pope, William McKinley being President of the United States, W.E. Stanley being the Governor of Kansas, Joseph Calvin Bradley being Mayor of the city of Rossville, this church to be erected to the honor of God under the invocation of St. Stanislaus Kastka was begun today when the corner stone was laid this the eighteenth day of June in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred and ninety-nine.” The dedication of the completed church took place on October 29, 1899. In 1967, the parish purchased the home across the street from the church, so that the expanding catechetical classes would have a better place to meet. A $20,000 renovation project in 1975-1976 added a brick extension to the front of the church and a full basement. In 1998 Dekat Hall was dedicated and the mortgage was paid off. By 2009 the parish, which encompassed Rossville, Silver Lake, Willard, and Maple Hill, was in need of a bigger building so Don & Kathleen Damon donated a $1.1 million gift for the building of a new church. After raising the additional needed funds, the new worship space for 400 people was built in 2012 near the former church. In the early 1950s a group of believers who met together for weekly Bible Study grew in number so that they were encouraged to secure a property, call a pastor and organize a church. The Stewart property on the corner of Main and Pottawatomie was purchased in June 1952. After renovation, the first services of the Rossville Bible Church were held on September 7, 1952, with Reverend Clarence Swihart as pastor. Reverend Floyd Gee became the second pastor in June 1954. The church purchased a building site from the Hesse family that adjoins the Grade School in August 1960. Reverend Hugh Gardner, Wichita, superintended the construction of a basement to be used for an auditorium. A building was moved from Forbes Air Force Base and set on the basement. June 7, 1970, was a day of rejoicing for the congregation as they had a mortgage-burning service with Reverend Joe Arnedd, Des Moines, Iowa, evangelist, as speaker. Thus is the history of the early churches which no longer exist in the community and the churches which continue to function--though in somewhat different roles than in the early years. Once, the church, as well as the school, was the center of most family activities. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Rossville Community Library Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Rossville Centennial Booklet, 1971 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Rossville Community Library Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Public Domain due to copyright expiration. Original narrative content by RCL is available for use by public. Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Friendly Circle/Women's Society of Christian Service (WSCS) minutes from 1966 Description An account of the resource January 27, 1966: The Friendly Circle class met at the home of Stella Page last Wednesday for a day of quilting. Esther Mansfield and Amy Meade were hostesses for the covered dish dinner held at noon. Those present were Edna Bush, Bess Conley, Stella Henderson, Ethelyn Ferguson. Mabel Bruce, Minnie Ellis, Iva Stitt, Opal Terrill, Myrtle Lillard, Golda Cottle, Grace Hartzell, Louise Wilt, Vida Whitney, Stella Page and the hostesses, Amy Meade and Esther Mansfield. ------------------------------- February 24, 1966: The Friendly Circle Class of the Rossville Methodist Church met at the home of Stella Page with Stella Henderson and Golda Cottle as hostesses. The day was spent quilting and sewing carpet rags. Those present were Amy Meade, Opal Terrill, Ethelyn Ferguson, Grace Hartzell, Lenora Gresser, Edna Bush, Ruth Page, Mildred Page, Myrtle Lillard, Stella Page, Vida Whitney, Stella Henderson, Golda Cottle. -------------------------------- May 26, 1966: [26 May 1966] The Friendly Circle Class met at the home of Mrs. Stella Page for a no-hostess fried chicken dinner Wednesday, May 18. After the business meeting and election of officers for the new year the afternoon was spent quilting and sewing of carpet rags. Those present were Amy Meade, Stella Page, Myrtle Lillard, Opal Terrill, Minnie Ellis, Ethelyn Ferguson, Golda Cottle and Esther Mansfield. Visitors were Mrs. Mildred Page and daughter Cherie and Denise Crow. Next meeting will be June 22, also for a no-hostess dinner at the home of Mrs. Stella Page. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource The Shawnee County Reporter, Rossville, Kansas Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Rossville Community Library Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1966 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource This work is copyrighted; the copyright holder has granted permission for this item to be used by the Rossville Community Library. This permission does not extend to third parties. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource newspaper clippings Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RCL0552 http://recollectionsks.org/files/original/fb2c15b4dd751c199329d41f6fed4d44.pdf 38227f7ed6dbe6e48f230bf7e69c2ad2 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Rooks County Kansas History Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Plainville Memorial Library, Stockton Public Library, Palco Public Library Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Fuller Music Co. Subject The topic of the resource Fuller Music Co. Description An account of the resource Fuller Music Co. - Lorenzo Sr. and Effie Fuller in their Fuller Music Co. car. In 1913 Lorenzo Fuller, a traveling musician, stopped in Stockton, KS seeking lodging in the home of Capt. Green, also a talented musical family who toured with him. He married Capt.'s daughter Effie in 1916. They make their home in Stockton and toured as the Fuller Concert Co. in the states west of the Mississippi and up into Canada. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Plainville Memorial Library Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1913 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Stockton National Bank cover 2007 calendar Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource All rights reserved Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource pdf Type The nature or genre of the resource photo Effie Green Fuller Fuller Music Co. Lorenzo Fuller Rooks County Kansas Stockton Kansas http://recollectionsks.org/files/original/feafeb7eae237cd08a4471f44c47d20c.jpg 59435f9204f223942ff6aa27836c95d1 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Rossville Churches History Subject The topic of the resource Churches in the Rossville, Kansas, area. Description An account of the resource Among the various cultural developments in Rossville none was more important than the establishment and growth of organized religions. Shortly after the village of Rossville was started in 1871, some of the settlers felt the need for a church. The first known organized church was the Baptist Church started in August 1871 with nine members. A newspaper account, dated May 1879, about the school house in town says, “…at this time the building is used on Sunday by various church denominations as they are not supplied with church buildings. Six denominations have organized: The Baptist, Presbyterian, Christian, Methodist, Episcopal, Methodist Southern and Advent. The Baptist have begun to erect a neat frame church building.” The Baptists built a small church on the approximate site of the Joe Navarre home on Spruce Street and dedicated this church on February 29, 1880. For a few years after that the Baptist, Christian, Presbyterian and Methodist shared this building—each having the use of it one Sunday a month, morning and evening. The Baptist church disbanded in 1910 and was torn down soon afterwards. Organization of the United Brethren was soon followed by the United Brethren Church, also known as the Olive Branch Church. The first church building in the community was built by its members in about 1877. The old landmark, five miles north of Rossville, was torn down about 1952. Some of the farm folk responsible for its organization and erection were Mr. and Mrs. Joe Franklin, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Franklin, Mr. and Mrs. Marion Lasswell, Mr. and Mrs. Lambert James and their sons, Robert and James, Mr. and Mrs. W.V. Hook, who donated land for the church. A decline in membership prompted the church officials to sell the building to the Czech Christian organization and it served as a worship center for many years. Other denominations organized early, which have little recorded history, including the Colored Baptist, also called Second Baptist. A news clipping shows the Colored Baptist Church was in existence in 1885 and meetings were held at the old school house. At that time they were endeavoring to raise funds for a structure of their own. It was later erected in the southeast part of town on Orange Street. Their building was repaired in December 1904, but soon after the church disbanded. The only information available about the Cambellites, followers of Alexander Cambell, shows that they gathered regularly early in the city’s history. The Cambellites here and in other localities were the forerunners of the early Christian Church. A church was organized with the name Church of Christ in 1872 with Bennet Swearingen, an elder. In 1879 a group was meeting in the school. Between 1880 and when it was decided to build a church, it is believed the members met in the Baptist Church. A deed was recorded on June 29, 1887, for three lots for which they paid $50.00. The exact date of the erection of the present church is not known. Revered Alex Montgomery was a stone mason and laid the church foundation. Charles Bixby, father of the late Albert Bixby, was a carpenter and supervised the building of the church. Lumber was hauled from Topeka by Alex Nadeau and others. The supplies were purchased from the Thomas Lumber Company at Topeka. The first funeral held in the church was for William Lacock, grandfather of the late Albert Bixby. The oldest Sunday School record is dated September 7, 1884, with May Parker its first secretary. Due to an increase in the Christian Church's membership, in 1949 a large room was added to the north side of the building. Other improvements included new colored glass in the windows, and pews from the old United Brethren Church. In December 1960, another addition to the building was completed. As more settlers moved to this community, those who were of the Presbyterian faith organized their group in 1878 and met in the school in town. Reverend E.P. Sempel was the first pastor. A.C. Sherman, Richard Binns, Daniel Wilt, J.C. Bradley, William Bond, Henry Kassebaum, W.M. Mitchner, Sam Kerr, Dr. H.H. Miller and Isaac Trostle were the founders of the church. Later the Presbyterians met in the Baptist Church. In 1883, the Presbyterian group purchased the land on which the present church stands and began to build. The first church was built of red bricks which were made at a brick kiln located at the east edge of town. As the years passed a crack appeared between the bricks in the east end of the building. This fault was used as the reason for tearing town the old building. The present structure was constructed in 1917. The Reverend J.H. Naismith, the originator of the game of basketball, served as pastor in 1922 and 1923. Mr. Gus Kassebaum served as a Trustee for 39 years, from 1915 to 1954. His wife, Mrs. Lula Kassebaum served most of these years as president of the Ladies Missionary Society. The Rossville Charge was organized in the James School House, three miles west of Rossville in the year 1872 under the leadership of Mr. Paul Strimple, a local lay preacher. Shortly afterwards, another group of Methodists (Southern Methodists) met in Rossville and had services at the school in town. These two groups joined in planning construction of a church. Since the Baptists were the first to build a church, the two Methodist groups shared the building. The Methodist Church was chartered and registered with the Secretary of State, June 13, 1881. The first trustees and signers of the charter were: W.G. Gilbert, Isaac Larrance, Joseph Andrews, J.W. Miller, A.E. Strimple, J.T. Heslet, and T.M. Attebury. Building of the new church began in 1884, and it was dedicated on March 1, 1885. Nine years later the south room was added, and it was used as a dining room and meeting room. The Sunday School addition was added in 1960. The name was changed from Methodist Episcopal to Methodist, October 11, 1939. It was again changed in 1968 to United Methodist when the United Brethren and Methodist merged. The Election Day dinner was first served in 1882 and has become an established tradition. Dinner and supper were served to over 175 persons at a cost of 25 cents per person. Some of the men who took an active part in the life of the church were C.E. Gresser, E.G. Griswold and Frank Strimple. Before St. Stanislaus became a reality, according to Ellen Leonhardt of St. Marys, Kansas, Mass was held monthly sometime before 1894 in the Fritz Hall. She remembers accompanying Father Krier, a Jesuit priest, from St. Marys to Rossville along with other girls to sing in the choir. The first St. Stanislaus Church was built under the auspices of Father John B. Kokenge, S.J., who collected about eleven hundred dollars to procure the ground and put up the structure. It measured 42 x 30 feet with a sanctuary that added twelve feet to its length. The corner stone of this mission church was laid by Bishop Fink on June 18, 1899. Many notables from the St. Marys College were present as well as Reverend H.A. Schapman, S.J., former president of Detroit College. The document placed in the stone contained the following: “Leo XIII being Pope, William McKinley being President of the United States, W.E. Stanley being the Governor of Kansas, Joseph Calvin Bradley being Mayor of the city of Rossville, this church to be erected to the honor of God under the invocation of St. Stanislaus Kastka was begun today when the corner stone was laid this the eighteenth day of June in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred and ninety-nine.” The dedication of the completed church took place on October 29, 1899. In 1967, the parish purchased the home across the street from the church, so that the expanding catechetical classes would have a better place to meet. A $20,000 renovation project in 1975-1976 added a brick extension to the front of the church and a full basement. In 1998 Dekat Hall was dedicated and the mortgage was paid off. By 2009 the parish, which encompassed Rossville, Silver Lake, Willard, and Maple Hill, was in need of a bigger building so Don & Kathleen Damon donated a $1.1 million gift for the building of a new church. After raising the additional needed funds, the new worship space for 400 people was built in 2012 near the former church. In the early 1950s a group of believers who met together for weekly Bible Study grew in number so that they were encouraged to secure a property, call a pastor and organize a church. The Stewart property on the corner of Main and Pottawatomie was purchased in June 1952. After renovation, the first services of the Rossville Bible Church were held on September 7, 1952, with Reverend Clarence Swihart as pastor. Reverend Floyd Gee became the second pastor in June 1954. The church purchased a building site from the Hesse family that adjoins the Grade School in August 1960. Reverend Hugh Gardner, Wichita, superintended the construction of a basement to be used for an auditorium. A building was moved from Forbes Air Force Base and set on the basement. June 7, 1970, was a day of rejoicing for the congregation as they had a mortgage-burning service with Reverend Joe Arnedd, Des Moines, Iowa, evangelist, as speaker. Thus is the history of the early churches which no longer exist in the community and the churches which continue to function--though in somewhat different roles than in the early years. Once, the church, as well as the school, was the center of most family activities. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Rossville Community Library Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Rossville Centennial Booklet, 1971 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Rossville Community Library Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Public Domain due to copyright expiration. Original narrative content by RCL is available for use by public. Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Fund Raising Drive Starts Sunday Description An account of the resource Doug French rides his Palomino with his "pay sack" on his back. The Rossville United Methodist Church is ready to start its annual "Pony Express" for church pledges. Photo by Belinda Driscoll. “Let’s Ride” will be the slogan next Sunday for the members of the Rossville United Methodist Church, who will be making the annual Pony Express Stewardship Run. The Pony Express Run this year is being conducted one day only, January 30, unlike the past two runs, which spanned several weeks. The relay of the saddlebags among our members will start at 1 p.m. Sunday, following the Reverend Damewood commissioning the Trail Bosses in the morning worship service. Designated trail bosses will supervise the relaying of stewardship “saddlebags” to all of the church’s families on Pony Express routes. The names of 10 church families are written on a run route list on each saddlebag. A family fills in an estimate of giving card, seals it in an envelope and inserts it in the saddlebag, which then is hand-carried to another family on the route. Besides helping raise the church budget to finance needed programs of ministry and service, the Pony Express has helped everyone get to know each other better. The church has been engaged in an active timetable the last few weeks leading up to the Run. A Chuck Wagon Dinner was January 23. Everyone wore western attire to the church services and then to the dinner. The children have been involved with the Pony Express through the Sunday School. The Run the youth and the adults have been working on is based on teamwork, the same concept employed by the Pony Express more than a century ago. For more information, contact the general manager of this year’s Pony Express Run, Doug French. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource St. Marys Star, St. Marys, Kansas Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Rossville Community Library Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource January 25, 1983 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource This work is copyrighted; the copyright holder has granted permission for this item to be used by the Rossville Community Library. This permission does not extend to third parties. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource newspaper clipping Rossville United Methodist Church Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Baldwin City Public Library Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource G.R. Spurgeon farm SW4 16-15-20 Subject The topic of the resource The G.R.Spurgeon residence was recorded on this property (40 acres) in 1873. Later H.E. Davison was the owner from c. 1902 to c. 1921. Description An account of the resource Farm residence, ell plan with rear hipped wing, two stories, rubble stone foundation, main gable roof. Front two-story and one-story shed additions, central greenhouse addition. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Dale Nimz, photographer Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Baldwin City Public Library Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource Fall, 1988 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Atlas of Douglas County (1873) Standard Atlas of Douglas County (1902, 1921) Plat-book & Survey of Douglas County (1909) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource All rights reserved Language A language of the resource English Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Baldwin City Public Library Photo A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Gansaullns Burr House Subject The topic of the resource Charles G Crysler owned the unimproved lots on the north side of Baker Street as early as 1898.Construction of the existing house house on this property was indicated by the sale the existing half of LTS 107 and LT 109 to Gansaullns Burr in 1910. The value of improvements was assessed at $2,400 in that year. Description An account of the resource Detached residence , irregular plan, two stories, wood frame with first floor weatherboard and second floor shingles, ashlar rough-cut stone foundation, truncated pyramidal roof with gable bays. Ell porch with circular front end bay, stone foundation, brick railing and piers, rear garage and sleeping porch addition NNW, rear entrance NE, 1/1 wooden double-hung windows, glazed wooden door , interior brick chimney. Decorative elements--shaped cornice returns, semicircular attic windows, ornamental leaded front window sash. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Dale Nimz, photographer Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Baldwin City Public Library Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource Winter, 1988 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource County assessment rolls, 1898-1914 Language A language of the resource English