Denison, Kan., RPC

Ed Hindman, pastor

This year, the Denison, Kan., RPC celebrated its 140th anniversary. As part of the event, the congregation hosted an ice cream and cake party in July and invited the community. Several days before the celebration, the Topeka Capital-Journal ran a brief article on the church, its history, and the present day. The article touched on the congregation’s founding in 1871.

“We had a good attendance at our celebration, with several individuals from the community attending,” said Pastor Ed Hindman. “There were numerous visitors who had previously attended our church. It was a reunion. Many renewed contact with people they had not seen for a number of years. That would not have happened without the article in the papers.”

As part of the celebration, several of the congregation’s youth restitched and mended the Blue Banner that hangs in the church building. Michaela and Danica Haverkamp and Shelby Phillips, who worked on the banner, all have ancestors who helped to establish the church. There have been other recent renovations to the church building, including restoring and repainting the walls and ceiling, funded by a gift of the late Wilbur and Anna Marie Braum.

Members Bill Waddell and M. Wayne Alexander made the replacement of the lights and restoration of the woodwork possible; and Steve Morris, a Holton craftsman, restored a wall clock donated by former fugitive slave George Taylor more than 100 years ago.

Walton, N.Y., RPC

“O be exalted high, O God; above the heavens stand!”

More than 150 voices filled the sanctuary of the Walton Reformed Presbyterian Church with praise to God from Psalm 57 to celebrate the sesquicentennial of this congregation and God’s faithfulness to it. Since 1861 the Walton RPC has faithfully served the Lord and their community; and friends from far and wide, past and present came to commemorate 150 years of God’s care.

The weekend celebration began with a service of praise and commemoration on July 16, a beautiful Walton summer afternoon. An evening picnic and psalm sing followed at the Henderson farm on East Brook Road, which was the 1861 site of the church. Led by Elder Jack McCready, the anniversary service remembered the history of the Walton congregation since its beginning. Dr. Wayne Spear’s talk, “Thus Far Has the Lord Helped Us,” reminded listeners to look to the future as they celebrated the past, and to trust God to continue to build, grow and indwell His people.

The New York Presbytery formally organized Walton RPC on Sept. 5, 1861, with families from the Bovina and Kortright churches. Originally the congregation had two elders, two deacons, and 19 persons who presented themselves for membership. The first house of worship was erected in 1863 and was dismantled and moved in 1874 from the country to its present location at East and Bruce Streets.

The change from the country to town was not the only change noted in the history of the congregation. Originally the sanctuary was heated with four wood stoves, one standing in each corner, but many people remember warming themselves on cold wintry days on the large iron register in the back. Modes of transportation have changed as well: Then there were sheds for horses; now there are a handicapped accessible entrance and a parking lot.

Twelve godly men have served the Walton church as pastor since 1861: McAllister, Shaw, Reed, A. A. Johnston, White, Lathom, Hill, Mitchel, R. McCracken, Finley, Wilkinson, and Johnston. Some of these men, or their children or even grandchildren, were present for the sesquicentennial. Many remembered their time at the manse at 115 Townsend Street, purchased in 1928. They noted distinct changes in the town, particularly since the 2006 flood. One ministry that many remembered was teaching God’s Word to Walton school children in the released-time program, a ministry begun in 1929 that continues to this day.

Following the service, the group enjoyed a reception and historical displays in the social room. A scrapbook documented the pastors, and a display of psalters included an 1874 psalter and a 1914 split-leaf psalter. There were old photos, a Christian Endeavor banner, a 100-year-old communion token, and a display of what it might have been like to prepare for Sabbath services in 1861. Visitors from 1861—Civil War reenactors Jeff and Ann Finch, Anastasia Finch, Tim and Rachel Beers and their children—dressed as 1860s visitors, answering questions regarding that time period.

The celebration continued at the Henderson farmhouse, which was the first parsonage.

Following a delicious meal of Brooks chicken and potatoes, there was a psalm sing led by precentor Jackie Spear. Together the group sang music that would have been sung by the original congregation in the 1800s. New tunes from The Book of Psalms for Worship ended the singing, reflecting much change but also emphasizing the timelessness of God’s Word as central to the congregation. As the sun began to set on the beautiful hills, the congregation praised God together for His care and faithfulness to the Walton congregation through these 150 years.

“O be exalted high, O God! Above the heavens stand, and let Your glory be above all earth, both sea and land.”

—Linda S. Neice, correspondent