In 1876 the first preaching of a Christian Church minister was heard in the city of Hiawatha. Brother James McGuire came from Padonia to share the Gospel in the Stone - Campbell tradition. Two years later, on April 14, 1878, the Church of Christ, or as it was later known, First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), was organized with 27 members.

Through the years First Christian Church has had many ups and down. In August, 1878, work began on the first edifice to house the burgeoning congregation, only to see that structure destroyed by fire on October 19, 1878. Undaunted, the faithful members rededicated themselves, and on October 19, 1879, one year to the date of the fire, the new home of First Christian Church was dedicated. This fine structure was used until 1922 when the current building that stands on the corner of Sixth and Kickapoo was constructed.

Through the years 40 men have served as pastor of First Christian Church, some staying only a few months, while others served for years. Our current pastor, Doug Amend, has been with us for five years.

As members of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), we continue in the tradition of the Stone - Campbell movement. As such, we believe that "there is no creed but Christ, no book but the Bible." To join the church, we only require that you make the great confession of Peter, that Jesus is "the Christ, the Son of the living God," and you accept Him as savior, then, if you have not been baptized, to be baptized by immersion.

As part of our tradition, we practice two sacraments, baptism, as mentioned above, and communion, or the Lord’s Supper. We believe the New Testament form of baptism was by immersion, which we practice, baptizing all in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. But in the Spirit of Christian Unity, we recognize and welcome into membership those who come from a different faith tradition and have been baptized into the Lord by other means.

The sacrament we share is the Lord’s Supper. As the centerpiece of worship, we share communion each time we gather, remember what the Apostle Paul said, "For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes." (1 Corinthians 11:26 NRSV) All who have confessed Christ are welcome at the table, sharing the bread symbolic of the broken body of Christ, and the cup, symbolic of the spilt blood of Christ.

As members of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) we believe in the unity of Christ and are active in the ecumenical movement, both locally and globally. We believe that all are free to explore and interpret the Scriptures according to his or her own experience, and we encourage persons to do so under the nurturing influence of a faith community. We also believe that God has called each person to his or her own unique ministry, and that God has called us to share our individual gifts through the faith community we call the church.

If you would like more information about First Christian Church or the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), please feel free to call the church office, (785) 742-2394, send an E-mail [First Christian Church Email], or log on to www.disciples.org.

Thank you for your interest and may God continue to bless you.