Dublin Core
Title
2000-04-18 Presbyterian Church, Introducing the Rev. Tammy Rider, Rossville, Kansas
Description
Introducing The Rev. Tammy Rider
by Dorothy N. Hoobler
When the Rev. Tammy Rider was called to serve as the pastor of the Rossville and Delia Presbyterian Churches, it was a continuation of a practice begun in 1914. That was the year that the Rev. A.J. Crawford became the first minister to serve the combined pastorate.
This is the third assignment for the soft-spoken Rev. Rider, who came to Topeka five years ago to be the assistant pastor at Trinity Presbyterian Church. She has also been the interim pastor at a rural Minnesota church, outside the twin cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. Tammy's home was in Minneapolis, and she was one of her mother's 50 children. She laughed, then explained that Mrs. Helen Rider was a foster mother to 50 very lucky children. "It was a neat way to grow up," she added. "You learned to be both understanding and responsible."
Tammy graduated from the well-known Lutheran school, Augsburg College in Minneapolis. In 1994, she graduated from United Seminary in the twin cities. Although the pastor is not married, she has followed her mother's example, and has been a foster mother for four children. Two of them she has adopted. Christa is a junior at Topeka High School, and Pamela is a sixth grader at Jardine Middle School. "The girls are the highlight of my life," she continued.
Serving the two churches and working full-time with the Topeka YWCA Battered Women Task Force leaves little time for hobbies. "The Battered Women Task Force is a good way to combine faith and action," she explained. She does enjoy writing, and won the Guideposts Magazine youth writing contest in 1981. She also likes the theater.
The Centennial History of 1971 gives a brief history of the Rossville Presbyterian Church. It was organized in 1878, and met first in the town school house and later in the Baptist Church. In 1883, the first church building was made from red brick made at the kiln located at the edge of town. When a crack appeared between bricks on the east side, the building was torn down, and the present church was constructed in 1917. It was described in a carefully preserved "Rossville Reporter" clipping as being of pressed brick salvaged from the old church with a 42x48 square roof with a dome for a skylight and to provide ventilation. The basement also had a kitchen and classrooms. In the ceremony setting the cornerstone, the "Reporter" relates that in August, 1917, a Bible and several documents were placed under the stone. The sanctuary has been renovated over the years, of course, and now has an attractive paneled chancel and recessed altar area. Recently, according to Rev. Rider, the congregation has installed new carpeting, new windows, and a much appreciated elevator from the street level to the sanctuary.
Dr. B.H. Gragg helped organize the First Presbyterian Church of Delia on April 22, 1907. The congregation still met for worship service, Sunday School classes, and Christian Endeavor on the second floor of Bryan's building. Around July 15, they had decided to construct a church building on land donated by David Cunningham.
Meanwhile, the Sunday School organized in September 1984, by Czech settlers in the Delia area were also meeting in homes. Dr. Gragg convinced the Czechs to unite to build, and share, one church building. Construction began in September, 1907. Kevin Kerwin, in a history published in November, 1977, in the "St. Marys Star," stated that J.H. McClain hauled rocks for the foundation by team and wagon from a nearby quarry. John Kovar laid the foundation with help from John Balusek. William Schrage, Kansas City, was the architect.
The 32 foot by 32 foot structure was begun in March 1908. The chancel was five feet by 17 feet, and an addition to the sanctuary included space for two classrooms and a vestibule. Dr. Gragg again canvassed the community, and a total of $507.60 was collected to buy church furniture. The church was dedicated June 27, 1907, with a large crowd in attendance despite heavy rain. There was no preaching until the spring of 1910, and then every other Sunday, with help from the Home Mission Synod of the Presbyterian Church.
When the Czech Presbyterian congregation disbanded in 1940, the congregation divided, with approximately half remaining in Delia, and the others transferring to the Rossville church, according to Kerwin's research.
The two groups have shared the same pastor since 1914, including the Rev. J.H. Naismith, the originator of the game of basketball, in 1922-1923. Weekly Lenten Bible study classes have been held this Easter season in Rossville, and Maundy Thursday services will be at Delia on Thursday evening, April 20. Worship services on Easter Sunday morning will be conducted by the Rev. Tammy Rider in both churches.
by Dorothy N. Hoobler
When the Rev. Tammy Rider was called to serve as the pastor of the Rossville and Delia Presbyterian Churches, it was a continuation of a practice begun in 1914. That was the year that the Rev. A.J. Crawford became the first minister to serve the combined pastorate.
This is the third assignment for the soft-spoken Rev. Rider, who came to Topeka five years ago to be the assistant pastor at Trinity Presbyterian Church. She has also been the interim pastor at a rural Minnesota church, outside the twin cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. Tammy's home was in Minneapolis, and she was one of her mother's 50 children. She laughed, then explained that Mrs. Helen Rider was a foster mother to 50 very lucky children. "It was a neat way to grow up," she added. "You learned to be both understanding and responsible."
Tammy graduated from the well-known Lutheran school, Augsburg College in Minneapolis. In 1994, she graduated from United Seminary in the twin cities. Although the pastor is not married, she has followed her mother's example, and has been a foster mother for four children. Two of them she has adopted. Christa is a junior at Topeka High School, and Pamela is a sixth grader at Jardine Middle School. "The girls are the highlight of my life," she continued.
Serving the two churches and working full-time with the Topeka YWCA Battered Women Task Force leaves little time for hobbies. "The Battered Women Task Force is a good way to combine faith and action," she explained. She does enjoy writing, and won the Guideposts Magazine youth writing contest in 1981. She also likes the theater.
The Centennial History of 1971 gives a brief history of the Rossville Presbyterian Church. It was organized in 1878, and met first in the town school house and later in the Baptist Church. In 1883, the first church building was made from red brick made at the kiln located at the edge of town. When a crack appeared between bricks on the east side, the building was torn down, and the present church was constructed in 1917. It was described in a carefully preserved "Rossville Reporter" clipping as being of pressed brick salvaged from the old church with a 42x48 square roof with a dome for a skylight and to provide ventilation. The basement also had a kitchen and classrooms. In the ceremony setting the cornerstone, the "Reporter" relates that in August, 1917, a Bible and several documents were placed under the stone. The sanctuary has been renovated over the years, of course, and now has an attractive paneled chancel and recessed altar area. Recently, according to Rev. Rider, the congregation has installed new carpeting, new windows, and a much appreciated elevator from the street level to the sanctuary.
Dr. B.H. Gragg helped organize the First Presbyterian Church of Delia on April 22, 1907. The congregation still met for worship service, Sunday School classes, and Christian Endeavor on the second floor of Bryan's building. Around July 15, they had decided to construct a church building on land donated by David Cunningham.
Meanwhile, the Sunday School organized in September 1984, by Czech settlers in the Delia area were also meeting in homes. Dr. Gragg convinced the Czechs to unite to build, and share, one church building. Construction began in September, 1907. Kevin Kerwin, in a history published in November, 1977, in the "St. Marys Star," stated that J.H. McClain hauled rocks for the foundation by team and wagon from a nearby quarry. John Kovar laid the foundation with help from John Balusek. William Schrage, Kansas City, was the architect.
The 32 foot by 32 foot structure was begun in March 1908. The chancel was five feet by 17 feet, and an addition to the sanctuary included space for two classrooms and a vestibule. Dr. Gragg again canvassed the community, and a total of $507.60 was collected to buy church furniture. The church was dedicated June 27, 1907, with a large crowd in attendance despite heavy rain. There was no preaching until the spring of 1910, and then every other Sunday, with help from the Home Mission Synod of the Presbyterian Church.
When the Czech Presbyterian congregation disbanded in 1940, the congregation divided, with approximately half remaining in Delia, and the others transferring to the Rossville church, according to Kerwin's research.
The two groups have shared the same pastor since 1914, including the Rev. J.H. Naismith, the originator of the game of basketball, in 1922-1923. Weekly Lenten Bible study classes have been held this Easter season in Rossville, and Maundy Thursday services will be at Delia on Thursday evening, April 20. Worship services on Easter Sunday morning will be conducted by the Rev. Tammy Rider in both churches.
Creator
The St. Marys Star, St. Marys, Kansas
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.
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.
Date
April 18, 2000
Rights
All rights reserved
Identifier
RCL0625
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