A LOOK AT THE PAST
On December 1, 1925, brethren in Emporia were called together and started true worship and establish times for the weekly meetings of the saints.  At first they met in the YMCA building.   Brothers J. C. Bunn and J. A. Freed preached in a tent meeting (May 30 through June 29).  Ten were baptized and others restored.  Their number after the meeting was 31 members.   Other early day preachers were William Ketcherside and Frank Hedges.   As of January, 1981, two of the charter members were still living--Sisters Annis Irey, of Phillipsburg, Kansas; and Hattie Hager, Emporia.  Sister Ruby Hacker was a member since the early days of the church in Emporia.   Over the years the church in Emporia has struggled for growth due to transient nature of the membership.  For many years the church met in a basement building on West Sixth Avenue.  Brother Willis E. Kirk, of Garland, Texas, was the first full-time preacher beginning in 1948.  He was succeeded by Brother Clyde Hartly in 1951, who served the church until 1956.

(There is some belief that a church of Christ existed in Emporia as early as the mid 1800's.   The only related information to date is a hymn book from the period with the Emporia Church of Christ stamped inside the cover.  It was also learned that the current first Christian church's records in Topeka reflect the church of Christ.)

BUILDING PLANS STARTED
The brethren realized there was a need for a more commodious meeting place and began accumulating funds to build a building, utilizing visiting preachers and local brethren for Sunday preaching services.  With the assistance of Brother G. R. Tinnius, then of Belle Plain, Kansas, funds were raised toward the building fund from sister congregations.  The Sixth Avenue property was sold for $12,500, which added to the funds that had been accumulated and raised toward the building project.  A lot was purchased at 12th and Neosho Streets, the land cleared and building program started in early 1959.
 

12TH AND NEOSHO BUILDING OPENED The first meeting in the new building was the last Sunday in December 1959.  A loan was obtained for funds needed above funds on hand.  All of the work not required to be done by specialists was done by the local brethren who donated their labor.    Brother Tinnius, with the support of sister congregations, became the preacher in January 1960.  The first elders--Brothers Tinnius, C. E. Guthrie, and J. E. Thomas--were appointed in 1963.  Brother Tinnius moved on to another work in 1965 and was succeeded by Brother Doin Pitchford who served as preacher until 1968.

As of January, 1981, the local membership totaled more than 100, not counting ESU students.  The 1981 budget called for a weekly contribution of $819.  Except for the Student Center, the church was fully self supporting in all its programs of work, including a weekly radio program, support for a student in Sunset School of Preaching, South Africa Bible School, Prison Ministry, other works of benevolence, and an active visitation and personal evangelism program.  The mission was to take the Gospel of Christ, in its purity, to all who are interested in their eternal destiny, both in the local area and elsewhere to the extent possible.

A new airconditioning system was installed for the present building in the summer of 2002.  Also in 2002, a 40 feet by 40 feet addition was built onto the north end of the existing building.  Both levels provide disability access into the auditorium.   It includes a kitchen, the minister's office, two restrooms, and fellowship area for meals and events.  There is also a stairway down into the basement level added below the fellowship hall.  The lower level provides space for additional classrooms, a utility room and a restroom.   There is also a doorway into the basement at the northeast corner, the area of lowest grade, allowing disability access.

ELDERS OVER THE YEARS
The eldership in 1979 was Marvin Mathis, Frank Osborn, Tom Wright and O. E. Mabrey.  Others who have served as elders over the years are C. H. Monholland, and T. J. Golson.
Elders as of 2002
Tom Wright
Don Bright
Elders as of 2003-
Don Bright
Vince Maricevic
John Weakley
DEACONS OVER THE YEARS
Roy Gatewood
Alford Rifenbarth
John Weakley
Deacons as of 2002
Jim Pitchford
Ron Olosson
Vince Maricevic
Lewis Armstrong
Deacons as of 2003-
Jim Pitchford
Ron Olosson
Lewis Armstrong
Stan Fowler
Clarence Soendker
Mike Alpers
Fred Geotzen
Joe Smith
Robert Scribner

MINISTERS OVER THE LATER YEARS
David Hurlocker
Robert Burton
Hoyt Beasley
 

BIBLE CHAIR ADDED
In 1967, the local brethren felt that the church could do a more effective work with young people of college age if they would work toward establishing a fully accredited Bible Chair in connection with Emporia State University.  A residence property immediately adjacent to ESU campus was contracted for, provided funds could be raised to amortize the debt.  The first year’s operation, Brother Pitchford served as student counselor in addition to his preaching duties and spent considerable time endeavoring to raise funds for operation of the Student Center (Bible Chair).

BIBLE CHAIR DIRECTORS HIRED
In 1968, we were fortunate in being able to employ Brother Jim Strait, who had the necessary academic credentials for teaching college credit courses in Bible and Bible related subjects.
As there was insufficient income from contributions and support from sister congregations to permit having both a preacher and Student Center director, Brother Pitchford moved on to preach elsewhere in 1968.  Brother Strait, in addition to acting as director and coordinator of the Student Center classes and activities, also served in the capacity of a local minister until 1972.
With some added support, Brother Sam Smith was then employed as the local preacher and worked with the congregation until June 1974, when Brother Doin Pitchford returned to the local work.
In 1979, Brother Pitchford had an opportunity to accept a work in his home area of Missouri and Brother Strait was employed as director of the Bible Chair in Tyler, Texas, his hometown.  This left the church with two vacancies to fill.
Brother Clifford Craig, a graduate of Harding School of Religion, was employed as Student Center director and reported to work on April 1, 1979, to become acquainted with the program.  Brother Strait left June 1 for his new work.
Brother Billy C. Reed was employed as the local minister as of June 1, 1979, and worked until ______.
A number of sister churches in Kansas, Oklahoma, and Missouri provided a large portion of the financial support for the Student Center.  The local eldership had the oversight of the work.  The local church is the largest single supporter of this work from a financial standpoint, in addition to carrying on its full work load in the community and in mission fields.

Jim Strait
Adam Broom
David Blankenship

Brandon Stark served the 2000-2001 school year in a half time position.  He was completing the second and last year of the ESU Nursing Program.   Upon completion of his studies, he received a commission in the Navy.

Derreck Jones became the Campus Minister in June of 2001 and established some very dynamic programs for the students.    He left in June 2003 and after completing an summer internship with a Kansas City congregation, he was hired as the campus minister with the West-Ark church in Ft Smith, AK.

Lewis Armstrong retired in June 2003 as a librarian at Emporia State University.  Since 2000, he had served as the ESU Faculty adviser for the Center.  Pat Robinson returned again to assume responsible for Center as the Faculty advisor.  Ron Olsson serves a the assistant advisor.  Lewis worked a few hours each week at the Center and handled much of the administrative responsibility for the student programs.  Hoyt Beasley, the congregation's evangelist taught the college age classes and conducted studies with ESU students.   Additionally, in the fall, David Jones and Sam Rinkel served fours hours each as interns to maintain the center and help coordinate student programs, to include sending a weekly e-mail on activities and upcoming events.   Sam graduated in December with an MBA.  Chris McMichael joined David as a intern during the spring semester.

The Christian Student Center web site is at http://EmporiaChurchofChrist.i8.com/csc.html
 

Create 6-6-02
Last Updated 05-27-04

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