Church History

Grand Avenue Temple is a church with a rich past, an exciting present and a promising future.  It is one of six remaining churches in downtown Kansas City, Missouri.

Grand Avenue Temple came into being just after the Civil War. It was founded by Reverend Stephen Griffis and 75 Northern Methodists in 1865.  The original site was a cow pasture.  Aunt Docia, a former slave and one of four black members of the church gave her burial money  to Reverend Griffis.  The rest of the members rose to her generosity and raised the money to build the first church.  It was finished in 1869.    By the early 1900s, the congregation had grown to be one of the largest in the state and was instrumental in establishing several new Methodist houses of worship in the growing town. From this, the church became known as the "Mother Church of Methodism"  in Kansas City.

The present building was constructed 1909-1911 and designed  by John J. McKecknie, the pioneering architect in reinforced concrete construction in Kansas City.    The Greek Revival style church and office building were constructed at a reported cost of $375,000.  The exterior, although altered, retains a Grecian simplicity and a dominating temple front facade.  The interior finish is cathedral oak with walls done in ivory.  It originally seated 1500.  The sanctuary is naturally lighted by fifteen stained glass atrium windows in the ceiling assisted by over six hundred ceiling light bulbs.  John McKecknie made no use of permanent religious motif in the interior or stained glass windows.  It is thought that this was to make the building more suitable for the variety of programs to take place.  Upon completion, the Grand Avenue Temple became nationally known, and was referred to as the "Crossroads Church of America" and the "Church of   Strangers".

Grand Avenue Temple was officially listed in The National Register of Historic Places on May 8, 1985.  The church houses the original Skinner organ (1912) and has been named to the National Register of Historic Instruments (See Organ).

Grand Avenue Temple is known for its congregational diversity. This historic congregation is a focal point for the downtown area and a spiritual center in the urban core.  The Grand Avenue Temple has had financial difficulties, but the church and its members maintain its desire to remain downtown and serve the community.  It is a community church in the true sense of the word.

With a continuing tradition of mission and outreach to our downtown neighbors, this active church is always involved in the surrounding community.  As our downtown community grows and changes, Grand Avenue Temple will continue to be an active witness in the urban core through its outreach and ministry.

List of Pastors:

1863:               Rev. Albert H. Powell

1864:               Rev. Calvin Allen

1864:               Rev. J.F. Nessley

1865:               Rev. Sephen Guard Griffis

  

1867:               Rev. John N. Pierce

   

1870:               Rev. J.W. Bushong

1872-1874:      Rev. Gilbert DeLaMatyr

1874-1875:      Rev. P.P. Ingalls

1875-1876:      Rev. H.R. Miller

1876-1879:      Rev. Addison Crawford Williams

1879-1882:      Rev. H.G. Jackson

1882-1885:      Rev. Rezin M. Barnes

1885-1888:      Rev. Charles W. Parsons

1888-1893:      Rev. Jesse Bowman

1893-1897:      Rev. Charles B. Mitchell

1897-1900:      Rev. John W. Hancher

1900-1901:      Rev. Charles B. Wilcox

1901-1905:      Rev. William A. Quayle

1905-1909:      Rev. Daniel McGurk

1909-1914:      Rev. B. Olmstead

1914-1920:      Rev. Joseph M.Gray

1921-1923:      Dr.   William F. Hovis

1923-1929:      Dr.   Ira M. Harget

1929-1932:      Dr.   Charles Drake Skinner

1932-1933:      Rev. Frank Lee Roberts

1933-1941:      Dr.   Edmund Janes Kulp

1941-1958:      Rev. Phillip T. Bohi

1958-1961:      Rev. Phil B. Wahl

1961-1964:      Rev. Leonard J. Smoot

1964-1969:      Rev. Roy B. Stribling

1969-1970:      Rev. Jans Van der Graff

1970-1977:      Rev. Russel D. Oden

1977-1980:      Rev. William Maggi

1980-1981:      Rev. Joe Morris

1981-1988:      Rev. Stuart Whitney

1988-2000:      Rev. Jacquelyn Moore

2000-2001:      Rev. Gwen Trullinger

2001-2004:      Dr. Daniel E. Bonner

2004-Present   Dr. R. C. Brooks