Location: Topeka, Kan. (pop. 130,000)
Presbytery: Midwest
Organization Date: Nov. 18, 1888
Membership: 74 communicant; 24 baptized
Pastor: Brad Johnston
Website: http://www.topekareformedpres.org

The mission of Topeka Reformed Presbyterian Church (TRPC) is to love and obey God, to follow Christ, and (by the power of the Holy Spirit) to share the richness of God’s grace, mercy and love with others. In 2011 we emphasized glorifying God by pursuing our satisfaction in Him.

The request to organize the Topeka congregation was first submitted to the Kansas Presbytery meeting at Winchester, Kan., on Oct. 16, 1888. There were 45 church buildings in Topeka, as well as a large number of missions, and no saloons. The congregation was organized by a commission of the Kansas Presbytery on November 18 of that year with 42 charter members. The first meeting place of the congregation was the Ladies Library Hall.

The church building has been located in three different places over the years. Buildings at the previous two locations have been demolished. The current building was placed in service in 1996.

Since organization, the congregation has been served by 17 pastors. Thirty men have served as ruling elders of the congregation since it was organized, and at least 52 individuals have served in the office of deacon/trustee.

TRPC is a generational church, so covenant theology is a key to the congregation’s vitality both in terms of in-reach and outreach. In recent years the church has been privileged to minister to a number of law students attending Washburn University. Several of our members have completed the Theological Foundations for Youth program at the Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary, and in 2011 TRPC was the host site for the intensive Life Focus retreat for youth.

Service across generations characterizes the discipleship model at TRPC, and elders and deacons alike are active in visitation. Members, young and old, also enjoy lively fellowship through small groups, athletic teams, and at monthly luncheons and psalm sings.

Over the years, fourteen men from the congregation have gone on to the pastoral ministry. Most recently, Jonathan Haney has accepted the call as church planting pastor in Manhattan, Kan. At least 21 men and women from the congregation have served on the mission field.

TRPC has been richly blessed by our godly heritage; by wise leaders and mature members; by a membership representing a wide range of professional experience (medical, financial, military, educational, legal); and by the ministry opportunities presented by young families and precious covenant youth.

Interesting Facts

1. Before calling a pastor, the temporary pulpit supply was paid $7.50 per Sabbath. Rev. N. M. Johnston (no relation to our current pastor) was the first installed pastor of the congregation in 1889 at a salary of $1,000 per year with no parsonage provided. Some 15 years later Rev. Walter W. Wilson was called as the second pastor of the congregation at an annual salary of $350 “with the use of the parsonage except water and light.”
2. In July 1910 the monthly meeting of session was changed to the Friday before the full moon.
3. Our oldest member is Katy Piper, age 96. Our youngest member is Isabelle Kreis, born Aug. 15, 2011.

Prayer Requests

Pray that TRPC might be bold in its use of these gifts in advancing Christ’s crown and covenant!

1. Pray for a biblical, robust teaching ministry to every age level.
2. Pray that we would lead people to know Jesus and become “heavy lifters” in God’s kingdom here on earth.
3. Pray that our members would flourish in the marketplace as they love and serve our neighbors here in Topeka. Everybody is our neighbor.
4. Pray our members would “seek things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God” (Col. 3:1). His lordship is over every sphere of life.