The First Presbyterian
Church, Wamego, Kansas, was founded on February 7, 1869, with seven charter members. The congregation grew to 40 members a year later, and to 80 a year after that. Although it was not the first church founded in Wamego, the
Presbyterians were the first to build a church with construction beginning in 1870. As the congregation grew, two Sunday School rooms were added. The building served for 52 years, with construction beginning on a new church building in 1921 at the corner of 6th and Elm streets. This building stands today along with a multi-million dollar addition to the north built in 2003. A wonderful fellowship hall, additional Sunday School rooms, a new church office and a large kitchen were added. The congregation of 175, comprised of many young families as well as middle-age and older adults, is growing, and the old fellowship hall is being converted to additional Sunday School rooms as needed. The congregation has reached out to support various mission efforts over the years, including sponsoring a Hungarian refugee family in the 1950s and raising funds for numerous overseas missionaries and missions. In 2001, the church loaned a house they own across from the church building to the Community Mission, The community of Wamego supports the Mission House as it ministers in many ways to the people of Pottawatomie and Wabaunsee counties. Just this year, a dental office was added, and local dentists donate their time and skills several days a month to meet the dental health needs of the local indigent. Three nurses are on staff offering assistance as they are able to all who come to them. In addition, food, home furnishings and financial assistance are available. The church maintains the building and members volunteer their services and contribute to the pantry and the clothes closet. The congregation also helped to establish and continues to contribute to two missions for homeless or abused youth in Peru.
Through the years, the members have helped to form and mold many Christians and continue to do so with same exuberance as the original seven. Worship is paramount with Christian spiritual formation and fellowship not far behind. Our church family, like all families have been confronted with challenges over the years, which have been met with Christian wisdom and faith in the future, all the time striding forward as the Spirit so leads. This church is built on a strong foundation of
Christian families, with the membership today reflecting several families of three generations, as well as yearly receiving many new members, new to Wamego and/or new to Christ. You are invited to become a part of our church family as we continue to make history that seeks to glorify God.