– 2018 Organization Inductee –
Amherst United Methodist Church
In 1879 the Union Sunday School was formed in the home of Mrs. Emma Ingham, located in Section 33 of north Waldo Township, Russell County, Kansas, an area known as the Amherst community. The school grew to the point that a second Sunday School was formed and met in the Ellis home, 4.5 miles to the east in Section 31 of north Luray Township. Approximately two years later Mrs. Ingham moved and the school met in a sod house located in Section 3 of south Waldo Township. At this time a new frame school was built in the Amherst community and the Sunday School then used it as a meeting site.
In 1884 the first circuit rider minister, of the Evangelical faith, stopped and held a service in the Thomas A. Beatty home. Periodically circuit riders continued to hold services there, and at such a meeting it was decided to hold a revival meeting in the fall of 1886. At this revival it was determined that a church congregation should be organized, and in the spring of 1887 under the guiding hand of the Reverend F. M. Peck the Amherst Evangelical Church was formed. The charter members were Mrs. And Mrs. Thomas A. Beatty, Mr. and Mrs. Ben F. Bratton, Mr. and Mrs. Leander Beatty, Ettie Beatty, Zina E. Beatty, and Zenus Beatty.
The organization prospered and church membership steadily rose. After nearly twenty years a permanent meeting place was sorely needed, as by this time the church membership stood at 97, with an average attendance of 75. Mrs. and Mrs. Thomas Beatty donated land, located just south of the present intersection of 190th Street and Amherst Road in Section 34 of south Waldo Township, for a church structure and fundraising began. Finally, on February 18, 1906, the Bethel Church of the Evangelical Association was formally dedicated.
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Church Dedication at Amherst.
“The fine new Evangelical church at Amherst was formally dedicated last Sunday by Rev. T. H. Tobias of Abilene. The church building is a magnificent structure. The size of the main building is 28 x 40 feet; with a vestibule 8 x 10 feet, and at the opposite side of the room where the pulpit is located is an inset 6 x 12 feet. It is splendidly furnished with hardwood pews. It is heated by furnace in the basement and lighted by acetylene gas lights. The total cost of the edifice was $2,663. More specifically itemized [the total cost was] as follows: building site, $25; foundation and furnace room, $75; building proper, $1,700; furniture, $314.50; heating and lighting plants, $248.50; which together with $300 in donated labor brings the total to the amount first stated.
The day for the dedication was most propitious. It was one of the most bright, balmy and beautiful days of the season, and it seemed as though the God of the Universe extended his choicest blessings for the occasion.
An immense concourse of people filled the church to overflowing, and their smiling and happy faces indicated that they had met in a worthy cause and were proud of their achievement in erecting this splendid temple to the worship of the Most High.
Preceding the dedicatory services the venerable and eloquent minister delivered an able discourse, his principal theme being the building or organization of the first church by the Savior of mankind, and the material which he found with which to commence his labors. He recalled also his first church service in the neighborhood which was held 21 years ago at the home of Father Beatty; and making a comparison of the growth and prosperity of the community. Perhaps some 12 or 15 of the present congregation were his auditors at that time.
At the close of the preaching service the minister read a summary of the report of the building committee, which we have already mentioned, and stated that the total indebted was $701. This amount and more was quickly subscribed. $50 each was subscribed by L. E. Beatty, B. F. Bratton. J. E Bean, Thomas Beatty, Zenas Beatty, and Mrs. C.S. Wyckoff. $25 each by H. N. King, Mrs. Carl Wyckoff, Mrs. William Kibbler, George Bratton, Samuel Hall, Samuel Beatty, Mrs. Samuel Beatty and Albert Glaze. $10 each by Rev. E. A. Bruner, Thomas Hall, M. L. Bratton, Mrs. Keith, McKanna, Jas. Bean, William Bean, C. A. Griffith, Mark Bratton, Samuel Elder, Mrs. Eliza Hopson, T. C. Snodgrass, Philip Bean, Mrs. Charles Jungles, and Ira Glaze. Twenty $5 subscriptions were raised more quickly than we could write the names. The amount of general collection was probably between 50 and 100 dollars. All this was done in less than fifteen minutes of time and the impressive dedicatory service followed.
Regular preaching services and the administration of the Sacrament occurred in the evening. We are informed that church services are being held there each evening this week, and will extend over next Sunday, conducted by Re. E. A. Bruner, and possibly some assistants.
The people of the Amherst neighborhood have just cause to be proud of their splendid church edifice, and of their prosperous and god-fearing community. May their temple long remain, as a monument to their progress, liberality and devotion.” – Luray Herald, February 23, 1906.
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In 1924 a full basement was excavated and finished under the Amherst Church, and in the early 1960s the old furnace and coal room was converted into a kitchen. In 1946 the church was formally renamed the Amherst Evangelical United Brethren Church. When the Methodist and Evangelical Churches merged in 1968 the name was again changed to the Amherst United Methodist Church. In 1978 the bell tower atop the front entrance was taken off and the entrance renovated.
The year 2012 marked the 125th anniversary of the Amherst Church. The celebrations to mark the occasion were also used as a general fundraiser, for the church was in very bad shape and in need of extensive repairs. The fundraising was a success and the country church was completely rebuilt, with a new roof and outer siding, and renovations to both the basement and the sanctuary.
For over 130 years the church has remained a physical and spiritual landmark of the rural Amherst community and a symbol to Man’s ability to come together in worship and fellowship in peace.
In recognition of the Amherst United Methodist Church’s long and continued service to the faithful of Russell County, it has been selected to the First Class of the Russell County Kansas Hall of Fame.
SOURCES:
Amherst Church records.
Luray Herald, February 23, 1906; February 14, 1924.
Country Impressions, no date: Luray United Methodist Church; Amherst United Methodist Church; Cheyenne United Methodist Church.
The Amherst Church as it appeared shortly after its dedication in 1906.