CHRISTIAN.
The Christian church was organized in Pioneer Hall, corner of Kansas avenue and Fourth street, May 20, 1882, with twenty-four charter members. At the end of the first year there were fifty-five members, and in April, 1884, the church was incorporated under the laws of Kansas. The first church edifice was located at the corner of Tenth street and Kansas avenue, and was dedicated May 24, 1885, at a cost of $2,604. The building was much enlarged during the ministry of W. H. White. In 1912, the congregation having outgrown its old building, agitation for a new building was started, and a new site was selected at Seventh and Santa Fe streets, and on August 19, 1914, a beautiful new church was dedicated, which cost $47,000. The church also owns a lot adjoining the church, upon which a parsonage will be erected. The present membership is 1,400, and the Bible school is next to the largest in the State. The Sunday school is thoroughly graded, with eight departments, sixty-five officers and teachers, with H. P. Armstrong, superintendent. The church has thirty deacons and elders.
The records show that as early as 1869 the Christian church had followers in this community, and among the pastors who served in the early days were William C. Rodgers, James E. Gaston and C. C. Band. The early congregation went so far as to purchase a lot at the corner of Seventh and Santa Fe streets, opposite the present new edifice, and a foundation was laid for a building, but the plan had to be abandoned because of lack of funds.
Miss Etta Beason, of Atchison, and T. D. McCleery, of Effingham, are the two surviving charter members.
The names of the pastors who have served the church since 1882 are as follows: M. P. Hayden, W. S. Priest, J. S. Myers, Rev. Cox, W. H. White, Lowell McPherson, Rev. Ingram, M. E. Harlan, E. L. Ely, W. T. Hilton, Z. E. Bates. The present pastor of the church is Rev. Jesse M Bader, one of the most popular, aggressive and conscientious ministers in Atchison.
White Temple Christian Church, Atchison, Kan.