In the late 1940s, the prairie and farmland just west of Kansas City were rapidly turning into suburban neighborhoods. One such township, known as Prairie Village, had lots of young families, but no Presbyterian church nearby. So the "home office" (Board of American Missions of United Presbyterian Church of North America) decided to do something about it, in a unique way.
Most new congregations began in schools, theaters or neighborhood garages, but this time the Board provided $100,000 for a church building and parsonage. This unprecedented gift (which was funded in part by offerings from many small churches) was an experiment to see if ready-built facilities would have a positive effect on an emerging young church.
They also sent a young minister, Robert H. Meneilly, to spread the good news about this village church. On Feb. 13, 1949, at the Village Church’s very first Sunday worship service, 282 charter members filled the Chapel.
Most new congregations began in schools, theaters or neighborhood garages, but this time the Board provided $100,000 for a church building and parsonage. This unprecedented gift (which was funded in part by offerings from many small churches) was an experiment to see if ready-built facilities would have a positive effect on an emerging young church.
They also sent a young minister, Robert H. Meneilly, to spread the good news about this village church. On Feb. 13, 1949, at the Village Church’s very first Sunday worship service, 282 charter members filled the Chapel.
75th Anniversary Celebration: “A Story of Faith, Mission and Good Cheer”
7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 13 - Mission Campus
The 75th Anniversary Celebration Committee has been busy planning for a very special evening to celebrate Village Church. Committee members
include Barb Brown, Andrea Chamblin, Kathy Collins, Nancy Gatewood, Carol Gee, Kim Higgins, Annette McLaughlin, Scott Stanley and Elizabeth
Zakaryan. Charles Schultz will emcee the evening.
Feb. 11 is our Worship 75th Anniversary Sunday. The Village Heritage Committee is creating a permanent historical display which will be outside
the Heritage Dining Room, located on the second floor of the Mission Campus near Friendship Hall.
Check back for more information.
include Barb Brown, Andrea Chamblin, Kathy Collins, Nancy Gatewood, Carol Gee, Kim Higgins, Annette McLaughlin, Scott Stanley and Elizabeth
Zakaryan. Charles Schultz will emcee the evening.
Feb. 11 is our Worship 75th Anniversary Sunday. The Village Heritage Committee is creating a permanent historical display which will be outside
the Heritage Dining Room, located on the second floor of the Mission Campus near Friendship Hall.
Check back for more information.
