Hebron (Clay Center, Kan.) RPC celebrated its 150th anniversary on Oct. 23, with over 85 people joining in person and by livestream. Former pastors J. Bruce Martin (and wife JoAnne) and Ron Graham (and wife Gay) were able to attend, along with current pastor Daniel Hemken.

Following lunch, the program began with Rev. Martin presenting the remarkable story of the many connections Hebron RPC has had with missions in East Asia, especially through the work of Reformation Translation Fellowship (RTF). Rev. Stan Copeland told of the mission work in Chi-na, especially during World War II, and of the life of Rev. Jesse Mitchel, Hebron pastor from 1936–1941. Hebron ruling elders Harold Milligan and Steve McMahan recounted special memories of their formative years as they came to faith as part of this congregation.

In God’s incredible providence, Ted and Wendy Chao, son and daughter-in-law of Dr. Charles Chao, were in the area and learned of the celebration just in time to attend. Ted spoke briefly of his family and his father’s work with RTF and expressed appreciation for the support his family received from many Women’s Missionary Societies of the RPCNA.

Following a psalm sing, several drove to the Hebron area, southwest of Clay Center, where the home of founding pastor S. M. (Samuel McCutcheon) Stevenson still stands. S. M. Stevenson’s mother-in-law named the area Hebron as there are several uniquely shaped hills. The Hebron post office was in the Stevenson home, and the Hebron school was located on land donated by the Stevensons and was used until 1966. The group then visited the former church site and Hebron Cemetery, where many of the founding members, as well as Dr. J.G. Vos and son Mel Vos, are buried. Final brief stops were made in Idana, Kan., at the site of Patterson Press from 1963–1965 and then at the former Hebron parsonage. The celebration concluded with a dinner and time of fellowship.

Due to the westward migration of farmers after the Civil War, a number of rural congregations were founded where homesteads were claimed and the population grew. Quoting from a history written by early member and elder Ambrose Copeland for the 50th anniversary of the congregation: “A Commission, consisting of Rev. S. T. Milligan, Rev. S.M. Stevenson and Elder Law, was appointed to promote the organization. They met in the Washington school house on November 9, 1871, and a joint organization was formed. There were two branches, one being known as the Re-publican City and the other as the Eagle Bend. Rev. S. M. Stevenson was appointed by the Central Board of Missions to serve both branches. In 1873, the Eagle Bend Branch asked the Presbytery for a division of the two congregations, the one to be known by the name of the Republican City RP Church and the other as the Tabor RP Church.”

The Tabor area, also named by S. M. Stevenson’s mother-in-law, was six miles north and four miles west of Hebron. According to notes from W. M. Glasgow, the date of the division was Nov. 15, 1873, and additional elders elected in 1873 at Tabor were Hugh W. Hutcheson, Adam Mar-shall, and Thomas K. Tippin. The name Hebron was adopted by the Republican City group in the fall of 1876. Rev. S. M. Stevenson served both congregations from 1874 until 1876 and then served as pastor of Tabor until 1900. The Tabor congregation continued as a separate congregation until closing in 1924, and most of the remaining members joined the Hebron congregation.

Hebron RPC was located four miles south and seven miles west of Clay Center for over 100 years. After World War II, a growing number of members were no longer farmers, and many lived in Clay Center. Some desired to relocate the church to Clay Center to provide better opportunity for growth. After a number of difficult meetings over a period of years, the decision to relocate was finally approved by a two-thirds majority in January 1976. A site was chosen in the new Goodin addition in Clay Center. The building was completed at 1328 Goodin Drive at a total cost of less than $100,000, and the first services were held in November 1978. The congregation retained the name Hebron to honor the location where it was founded.

The transition to Clay Center was difficult for some, marking the end of an era. However, the modern facilities and closer proximity to Manhattan have provided opportunities for ministry to many from Manhattan and Ft. Riley. Growing numbers attended Hebron. Eventually, after years of careful labor, Pastor Jonathan Haney was called as church planting pastor. A daughter Reformed Presbyterian Church was established in Manhattan in 2013 and continues as a stable congregation.

Descendants of the Hebron founders that attended the 150th celebration were Rev. Stan Copeland, Wayne Copeland, Rev. Paul Copeland, Eugene Copeland, Rod Goodin (Copeland descendant), Lynn Greenlee (Greenlee and Wright descendant), Harold Milligan, Forrest Steward, and James Stewart. Descendants of the Tabor founders in attendance were Rev. Ron Graham, Marilyn James Copeland (through the Rodgers family), and Douglas Tippin.

During his pastorate at Hebron RPC, Dr. J. G. Vos began a quarterly publication called Blue Banner Faith and Life in 1946. He realized that there was a great need for clear explanations of biblical doctrine for ordinary church members. His father had served as professor at Princeton Theological Seminary, but Dr. Vos became known as the “layman’s theologian” due to his ability to clearly explain and apply Scripture. In honor of Dr. Vos, his commentary on the book of Gene-sis was given to those who attended the anniversary celebration, and a number of copies of The Book of Books, which was written in his honor, were made available.

The time together was a great blessing for all who were able to attend. We thank the Lord, as it is only by His grace that the congregation has survived and continues to exist. We are thankful for those who have served long and well as pastors, and for current Pastor Daniel Hemken and his wife, Kim (Johnston) Hemken. Please pray that the Lord would bless us with growth by conversions and the addition of new members, and that He will provide additional elders and deacons in the near future.

Hebron RPC has had many connections with East Asia over the years. Rev. Jesse Mitchel had served several years in China prior to being pastor at Hebron, and he returned to China from 1942–1945. Dr. and Mrs. Vos had been involved in the beginning and development of the mission work in Manchuria until the Japanese occupation forced them to leave in 1941. Dr. Vos served as pastor at Hebron from 1942–1954, when he was called to serve at Geneva College.

Rev. Phil Martin, the father of J. Bruce Martin (Hebron pastor from 1976–1997) served in Manchuria while Dr. and Mrs. Vos were home on furlough. Jean Peoples, daughter of medical missionary to Turkey, John Peoples, was engaged to Rev. Phil Martin and had stayed in the United States to complete her nursing degree. She sailed to Manchuria with the Voses in 1938, and Dr. Vos officiated at their marriage six days after arriving! The Martins and the Voses then worked together in the mission.

While in Manchuria, Dr. Vos also taught seminary courses, and Dr. Charles Chao was one of his students. After Sam Boyle was forced to leave China, he moved to Japan in 1949 to start mission work. He began the translation ministry with Charles Chao in Hong Kong in 1949. After a few months, he asked J. G. Vos to start a nonprofit organization in the United States to support this work. It became known as the Reformation Translation Fellowship. By God’s grace, the materials produced by RTF are being used in a significant way in the spread of Christianity and growth of the RP Church in East Asia. Rev. J. Bruce Martin has served on the RTF board for many years, currently serving as the president; and he has made one trip to East Asia.

Those who were part of Hebron RPC at some point in time and who served as pastor, pastor’s wife, missionary, or moderator of Synod are as follows:

Rev. J. R. W. Stevenson, Cyprus, Hebron pastor 1909–1936, moderator of Synod 1922

Dr. and Mrs. J. M. Wright, China

Mrs. Mabel Henderson Latimer, Cyprus

Miss Mamie Jameson, Cache Creek Indian Mission

Rev. Jesse Mitchel, China, Hebron pastor 1936–1941, moderator of Synod 1948

Dr. J. G. Vos, Manchuria, Hebron pastor 1942–1954, Geneva College

Dr. E. Clark Copeland, Cyprus, RPTS, moderator of Synod 1975

Mrs. Ethyl Dunn Copeland (Dr. E. Clark Copeland), Cyprus—Son, Dan Copeland, Cyprus

Mrs. Jennie Copeland Hemphill (Rev. Ray Hemphill)—Son, Rev. Bruce Hemphill

Rev. Keith Copeland

Elder Wilbur Copeland (brother to E. Clark, Jennie and Keith)—Son, Dr. Robert Copeland, moderator of Synod 1995; Son, Rev. Stan Copeland

Mrs. Marilyn James Copeland (Rev. Stan Copeland)

Rev. Mel Vos

Ruling Elder Steven McMahan, moderator of Synod 2011

Rev. Jerry Milroy, moderator of Synod 2017

Rev. J. Bruce Martin, moderator of Synod 2016 and 2018

Rev. Steve Rockhill (attended while doing graduate studies)

Rodney Goodin, Campus Crusade staff, Greece