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May 21, 2025 ~ JESUS NOT "SISSY," SAYS BILLY SUNDAY.

May 21, 2025

JESUS NOT "SISSY," SAYS BILLY SUNDAY.

Evangelist Declares Christ Was Vigorous Preacher, After His Own Heart.

A new Jesus -- a Christ militant -- was preached by Billy Sunday at the tabernacle last night.

"Away with those effeminate pictures of bowed humility and those stories of a sissy Messiah -- Christ was a man," Sunday declared. "When He stood in the presence of hypocrisy He bawled it out with a tongue that cut their thick hides like a lash.

"Jesus shot His preaching into the biggest guns of the synagogue of His day. When you read what He said in the Bible you read it in a sanctimonious tone that takes all the fire out of it.

"There's a lesson for the preachers in the way He preached. He said, 'Oh you scribes of Pharisees! You lobsters, you false alarms, you folly-flushers, you excess baggage, you vipers! You are little white sepulchers, all nice without but all rottenness and dead men's bones within. You're a fine bunch of guys! You rob the widows and the orphans and the whole bunch of you ought to be in jail.'

"Every Inch a Man," He Says.

"That's the way Jesus preached, declared Sunday, shooting out his clenched fist over teh audience. "Don't you think He was a sissy, because some old granny of a religious pussy-foot told you He was. He was a man, every inch of Him, and you will recall how He stood with dauntless face when the mob crowned Him with thorns and spat in His face."

In spite of the rain, which fell continuously through the evening, 16,000 persons attended the night services. There were several hundred members of the Association of Post Office Employees and about 4,000 members of the Patriotic and Protective Order of Stags. Other delegations were from the Cochrane Packing Company, Social Outlook Club, Gillpatrick's laundry and the St. James hotel.

The Stags brought a brass band, which formed near the platform and played "Brighten Up the Corner" and other hymns.

"I am glad to welcome you Stags. I understand that you have the only club in town that won't allow a bar in your club house. I hope you will establish a second, too, in all coming to Christ at this meeting."

"We will!" shouted a member. And when the invitation was extended, 100 members of the Stags marched down the aisles.

May 12, 2025 ~ CHURCH ADVERTISES VIRTUES.

May 12, 2025

CHURCH ADVERTISES VIRTUES.

'No Dancers or Card Players Here,' a Sign Pointed Out.

If rivalry develops among the churches of Kansas City over the members to be derived from the Billy Sunday revival, there is one congregation that will be able to cope with the others by its unique means of advertising.

The Beacon Hill congregational church, at Twenty-fourth street and Troost avenue, has a large blackboard in the corner of the church yard in which both pedestrians and those who ride on the street cars may read the notices of meetings and other church bulletin items. Passers on the cars read on this board early this week the following placard:
NO
Dancers
Card players
Theater goers
Tobacco users
Beer drinkers
HERE

The sign was changed yesterday and this one took its place:

We are the happiest people in the city.
Saved
Singing
Satisfied

April 24, 2025 ~ 12,000 GATHER TO DEDICATE SUNDAY REVIVAL BUILDING.

April 24, 2025

12,000 GATHER TO DEDICATE SUNDAY REVIVAL BUILDING.

Great Tabernacle Is Filled With an Enthusiastic Throng Representing All Evangelical Churches.

"Tabernacle dedicated yesterday at 2 p.m. in midst of great spiritual enthusiasm and intense devotion by a crowd of more than 12,000 people, every evangelical church in Greater Kansas City being represented. Anticipation is at highest pitch and we bespeak you a rousing welcome and blessed campaign for the kingdom."

The foregoing telegram was sent to Billy Sunday at Baltimore yesterday afternoon and he received it just before he had begun his final meeting of the campaign in that city. It was sent by O. J. Hill, chairman of the executive committee of the Billy Sunday campaign in Kansas City, and it was written while the dedicatory ceremonies of the new tabernacle at Admiral boulevard and Virginia avenue were in progress.

The tabernacle was formally opened to the public yesterday and the largest crowd of religious enthusiasts that had ever gathered in Kansas City at one time was there for the initial ceremonies. Every seat in the vast auditorium was occupied, the percentage of men and women being about equal, and the spirit displayed was regarded as a splendid forerunner for the seven weeks' revival, which will be inaugurated on next Sunday night.

Serious Purpose Evident

The event in numbers and to the enthusiasm of the crowd left no doubt as to whether the religious bodies of Kansas City want Billy Sunday. It was a crowd bent on serious purpose. Only a very, very few were attracted by idle curiosity. The great bulk of the congregation was there to begin the real work of the biggest religious campaign that Kansas City has ever known.

The Rev. J. W. Welsh, Billy Sunday's advance agent, made a pertinent talk to the crowd as to what they may expect and what they must do when Billy Sunday starts his campaign. Mr. Welsh outlined the following essential points:

"The women attending the Sunday meetings must leave their millinery at home. Hats are not tolerated at a Sunday meeting. Babies under 4 years of age will not be admitted to the meeting. Arrangements have been made so that mothers may leave their infants at the First Congregational church, nearby."

"These babies will be checked," Mr. Welsh said, "and if you don't lose your check and if your baby doesn't eat the tag that is left on it, the probabilities are that you will get the right baby back when you return to the temporary nursery."
Final Drills Start Tonight
At 7:30 o'clock tonight the Choir No. 1 will be on the rostrum and be finally drilled under the direction of Prof. Fred A. Mills, in charge of the music of the revival.

Tomorrow night Chorus No. 2 will meet on the rostrum at the same hour, and will be similarly drilled by Mr. Mills.

Tuesday night, Mr. Welsh said, should witness the cottage prayer meetings all over the city. "It must be recognized by all," Mr. Welsh said, "that this week -- the final week be3ofre the opening of the service -- is to be a big week of prayer."

On Wednesday night there will be the usual prayer meetings in all the city churches and members are urged to get as many as they possibly can to attend these meetings.

On Thursday night there will be an ushers' drill in the Tabernacle. About 300 ushers will be used and it is very essential that these ushers be fully trained.

On Friday night all the men who have been assigned to sing in the chorus and all who desire to sing in it are to report at the Tabernacle.

Meetings for men only are to be held on Thursday and Sunday afternoons during the entire campaign, although the meeting on next Sunday afternoon, the first to be held, will be open to the general public.

April 21, 2025 ~ OLD CHURCH TO BE RAZED.

April 21, 2025

OLD CHURCH TO BE RAZED.

Independence Edifice, Erected in 1835, Is Sold for $250.

The old Christian church on South Main street, Independence, erected in 1835, is to be torn down.

When the church was sold to the board of education in Independence at a good price the bell was reserved and when the building is razed the bell will go to Dr. John Bryant of Independence who says it called him to worship for many years. The bell was left in the belfry when the church was sold. Recently thieves had made every preparation to lower it when their plans were discovered and upset.

The building and lot cost the board of education $4,500. The building was sold yesterday for $250 to a contractor, who is to take it away.

April 12, 2025 ~ FOR SYRIAN WAR SUFFERERS. ~ Congregational Missionary Here to Organize Branch Relief Committee.

April 12, 2025

FOR SYRIAN WAR SUFFERERS.

Congregational Missionary Here to Organize Branch Relief Committee.

Dr. Clarence D. Ussher, Congregational Missionary

Dr. Clarence D. Ussher, Congregational missionary and physician, arrived in Kansas City yesterday. Dr. Ussher is the guest of Dr. A. T. Schauffler and is here to interest Kansas Cityans in the organizing of a branch committee for Syrian war sufferers' relief. He is a graduate of the Kansas City Medical college and formerly practiced medicine here.

Dr. Ussher will make his first address before a missionary meeting at the Prospect Avenue Congregational church tonight. He will talk at the First and Westminster Congregational churches on Sunday, and is scheduled to address the City Club on next Tuesday.

"Two hundred thousands of Christians in Armenia are hiding in Turkish homes," declared Dr. Ussher, "and it is not the Turkish people, but the cruel hordes in the army who are massacring the Armenians."

Dr. Ussher said that more than 300,000 Armenians in their native country and in Persia are starving. In Damascus and the larger cities of Asia Minor 250,000 more are in serious straits because of a lack of food.

Dr. Ussher's personal experiences in Van, where the Turks killed 55,000 Christians, bring back sad memories now. His wife died fourteen days after they left the city with the fleeing Russians.

April 9, 2025 ~ NEGRO CATHOLIC MISSION.

April 9, 2025

NEGRO CATHOLIC MISSION.

The Rev. Theobald Chrysostom to Preach at St. Monica's Church.

The Rev. Theobald Chrysostom, O. F. M., one of the most noted of the missionaries of the Franciscan order in this country, will begin a mission in St. Monica's church, Seventeenth and Lydia avenue, tomorrow morning. The missionary will preach his first sermon at the high mass and will preach each evening during the week.

St. Monica's is a church for negro Catholics and is the only one of its kind in Kansas City. The membership embraces about seventy-five negro families. The Rev. Father Cyprian, attached to the Franciscan mission work in Kansas City, is its pastor.

April 9, 2025

PREACHER STRICKEN IN HIS PULPIT; DIES.

The Rev. C. W. Litchfield of Epworth M. E. Church Is Apoplexy victim.

In the midst of his sermon last night, the Rev. C. W. Litchfield of the Epworth M. E. church, South, Forty-fifth and Genessee streets, fell in his pulpit. A few moments later he died from the attack of apoplexy. His congregation, although aware of illness which kept him from the pulpit last Sunday, was unwarned and much excitement followed his sudden death in the pulpit which he as occupied for the last few years.

Dr. J. H. Ralston and Dr. A. E. Eubank, called immediately to the church, pronounced the attack apoplexy. This was further substantiated when Coroner Harry Czarlinsky was called. The body was sent to the Stine & McClure undertaking rooms.

The minister was 70 years old. He had been a resident of the two Kansas Citys for many years. Seven years ago he came to the Epworth church from Rosedale, where he had been pastor of the Walnut Street M. E. church for four years. Previously he was pastor of churches in Kansas City, Mo., and for a time at Bethel, Kas.

Mr. Litchfield had been ill more than a week and was unable to fill his pulpit last Sunday. He improved in condition last week, however, and believed he practically had recovered.

Mr. Litchfield was born in Suffolk county, Virginia, on March 7, 1847. He was a veteran of the Civil war. After the war he moved to Washington, D. C., and later came to Kansas City, Kas., living there until about ten years ago.

He is survived by his wife, three daughters and two sons. Two daughters, Misses Ethel and Frances Litchfield, are teachers in the Kansas City, Kas., schools. Another is the wife of Dr. James Y. Simpson of Kansas City, Mo. The sons are William Litchfield, a member of the fire department of Kansas City, and Harry Litchfield. The family home is at 3602 Troost.

April 6, 2025 ~ GIFT OF TONGUES STARTLES MEETING.

April 6, 2025

GIFT OF TONGUES STARTLES MEETING.

Iowa Elder Speaks to Latter Day Saints in Independence.

OTHERS TELL VISION.

New Bishop From New York Named.

Elder J. W. Wight of Lamoni, Ia., spoke in tongues yesterday morning at the Reorganized Latter Day Saints conference prayer meeting in Independence. Three years ago Elder Wight had the same gift bestowed upon him, while conducting a prayer meeting. The gift of tongues is not unusual among the Saints, but it generally startles those not used to this manifestation of the spirit.

The manifestation was made early in the prayer service. The elder arose near the rostrum, and with closed eyes and blanched face, began to utter unintelligible words. Some thought the elder had suddenly been taken ill and wished to make his hearers understand, but it was all over in a minute and the babble which the speaker uttered stopped. The audience listened intently, for the greater portion knew that the elder had spoken in tongues, and that an interpretation would soon be forthcoming.

Elder Wight intercepted the meaning of his words as soon as he recovered. "The Spirit demands your sacred pledges to the covenant, and out of the great turmoil and war a path will be made by which the remnant of Israel will go back to their home long since promised to Abraham."

OTHER MANIFESTATIONS. Many of the Latter Day Saints claim that they can trace their ancestry back to the children of Israel, and this accounts for the Aaronic priesthood and various orders in the church of Israelitish origin. The Book of Mormon was founded on the finding of the Golden plates on the hill of Cummorah, in New York state, supposed to be an account of extinct races, sprung from the children of Israel. When Elder Wight gave this encouraging prophecy of the spirit there was joy among the congregation and there quickly followed other manifestations of the spirit equally as vigorous as the one uttered by Elder Wight, but they were not in unknown tongues.

Elder D. Flanders of Stewartsville told of a vision he had about his departed wife. Mrs. Flanders died, he said, about two years ago, and one night recently he was wafted by the spirit up into heaven where his wife was staying in a beautiful home. He saw his deceased daughter there and two children who had passed on about forty years ago. He talked with his wife and found she had been rejuvenated. She was young again and the roseblooms were in her cheeks. At the time of her death she was as old as he was, but up there age made no difference, and she was young again and more beautiful than ever he had seen her in life on this mundane sphere. The vision was listened to with great attention. Many of the older women wept as the narrative was told, for it appealed to them strongly.

HAD VISION FIFTEEN YEARS AGO.

Sister Ell Hayer of Lamoni, Ia., said she had a vision fifteen years ago that Frederick M. Smith would be appointed to succeed his father. She remembered the present head of the church when he called at her home and ate cherry pie. Frederick, she said, was attending Graceland college at that time. Some smiled and others wept as they remembered the now vigorous head head of the church, in his boyhood days.

President Fred M. Smith is the official revelelator of the church. His first revelation was given to the church at the opening session Thursday, when it was given out by the spirit that it was the will of the Lord that a new bishop be appointed for the church, naming R. F. McGuire of Brooklyn, N.Y.

The only vision of revelation which is binding on the church is given by the president and this is not accepted as direct from God until the various quorums have passed upon it as to its validity and genuineness. It is not often, however, that a revelation from the presidency is turned down, and if it is the church seldom knows of it.

WILL REBUILD AT ONCE. ~ First Christian Science Church Directors Authorized to Proceed.

February 2, 2026

WILL REBUILD AT ONCE.

First Christian Science Church Di-

rectors Authorized to Proceed.

The First Church of Christ, Scientist, Ninth street and Forest avenue, which was burned last Saturday night, is to be rebuilt at once. It is to be an absolutely fireproof structure, and will cost approximately $75,000. Of this amount $10,000 was contributed Sunday night and the board of directors were authorized to start the construction at once. Plans are being prepared by Edwards & Cumberson, architects.

"There will be no trouble whatever in raising the $75,000," said J. K. Stickney, president of the board of directors last night. "There is plenty of money in the congregation and all are willing to do their share.

"The congregation subscribed $42,000 in 1905 and 1906 toward the extension of the mother church in Boston, so there will be no trouble in raising all the funds we need for our own church. We expect to have the new structure completed and ready for occupancy by the first of September. In the meantime we have secured a place for our regular services. On next Sunday the afternoon services and Sunday school will be held in the Second Church of Christ, Scientist, Thirty-second street and Troost avenue, at 3 o'clock. Evening services will be held at 8 o'clock. After next Sunday services will be held at the same hours in the Jewish synagogue, Linwood boulevard and Flora avenue. Wednesday evening services will be held in the synagogue at 8 o'clock."

IN WHITE PLAGUE FIGHT. ~ Men's Brotherhood to Learn How to Escape Tuberculosis.

January 31, 2026

IN WHITE PLAGUE FIGHT.

Men's Brotherhood to Learn How to

Escape Tuberculosis.

A meeting in behalf of the suppression of tuberculosis will be conducted tonight by the Men's Brotherhood of the Linwood Boulevard M. E. Church at the church, Linwood and Olive. Dr. M. T. Woods of Independence will tell how to escape tuberculosis; Dr. Seesco Stewart, dean of the Kansas City Veterinary college, will describe tuberculosis in the lower animals and how it affects public health. Dr. A. T. Kinsley will present stereoptican views.

SCIENTIST STONE EDIFICE BURNED. ~ THE FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST REDUCED TO CHARRED WALLS.

January 30, 2026

SCIENTIST STONE

EDIFICE BURNED.

THE FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST

REDUCED TO CHARRED

WALLS.

Building Supposed to Be

Fireproof When Con-

structed Years Ago.

FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST.
Beautiful House of Worship Almost Totally Destroyed Last Night by Fire.

Four charred walls is all that remains of the First Church of Christ, Scientist, at Ninth street and Forest avenue, which cost its congregation $150,000.

Fire broke out in the basement of the building, near the west end, at 8 o'clock last night. Despite the constant playing of ten streams and the concerted action of as many fire companies, it burned steadily and fiercely to the ground, furnishing one of the most spectacular fires which has occurred in Kansas City for many years. The loss is estimated by J. K. Stickney, president of the board of trustees, about $155,000. The insurance was $85,000.

The flames were first noticed by T. Russel, who owns apartments next door to the church at 912 Forest avenue, at 8:05 o'clock. At that time smoke was issuing form a window leading into the boiler rooms. The first alarm brought No. 5 and No. 8 companies.

Firemen broke into the rear of the church on the alley, but at first failed to locate the blaze. So confident were they, however, that it was already beyond control that a second alarm was turned in and companies 14, 10, 11, 25, 2 and 3 were sent. By this time a bright, red glare flamed from the second story followed by tongues of eager flame which reached from the old auditorium toward adjoining apartments.

It was stated by Chief John C. Egner last night that had the church not been located at one of the highest points of the city, where the water pressure is seldom above forty pounds, the fire might have been checked at the outset. Waiting for the heavy engines to be dragged over slippery streets probably doomed the building.

The First Church of Christ, Scientist, was built of gray stone and furnished in Flemish oak. It was considered fireproof when it was erected, thirteen years ago. Because of the many prominent names connected with its building, as well as its maintenance, the fire attracted an unusually large crowd for one so far from the business district. People came from Kansas City, Kas., Sheffield and Westport to see, and stood about, shivering, for nearly three hours.

GIVES HIS HALF TO MAHONEY CHILDREN. ~ JUDGE MICHAEL ROSS, SILENT PARTNER, DISCLAMES SHARE WORTH $50,000.

January 30, 2026

GIVES HIS HALF TO

MAHONEY CHILDREN.

JUDGE MICHAEL ROSS, SILENT

PARTNER, DISCLAMES SHARE

WORTH $50,000.

"John Was My Friend and
He Would Have Done That

for Me," He Says.

Judge Michael Ross, John Mahoney's silent partner, yesterday startled the court of Van B. Prather, probate judge of Wyandotte county, by announcing he wished to disclaim a $50,000 share in the Mahoney estate so that it would go to his friend's orphans.

John Manoney was the Kansas City, Kas. contractor who, with his wife and foreman, Thomas F. McGuire, met death in an automobile accident on the Cliff drive Monday afternoon Judge Ross has been justice of the peace in the North End for many years.

One feature about Judge Ross's gift is that he wanted no one except the firm's lawyer to know about it. At the opening of the hearing Judge Prather said he understood that a silent partnership existed in the contracting business between Mr. Mahoney and some one else, and that if such was the case it would be necessary to take different action in the appointment of the administrators than if such a partnership did not exist.

"HE WAS MY FRIEND."

At this announcement Judge Ross arose. He said he had been a full partner of Mr. Mahoney in the contracting business, but that he desired to "wipe the slate clean" and give the children his half of the estate. Judge Prather asked Judge Ross to explain more fully.

"John Mahoney was a good friend of mine," the judge began. "He loved his four children dearly, and I am comfortably situated, and I want those little children to have my interest in the estate. And further, if any of the contracts which Mr. Mahoney left unfinished show a loss when they are fulfilled by the administrators I will give my personal check to make up for it. John was my friend and I know he would have done the same for my family."

When Judge Ross had finished speaking there were tears in the eyes of many in the court room. Judge Prather said nothing for a moment then rising, he reached over and grasped Judge Ross's hand.

"I am 60 years old," Judge Prather said. "I have read of such men, and heard of them, but you are the first of this type whose hand I ever have had the privilege to grasp."

1,000 ATTENDED FUNERAL.

The funeral of Mr. and Mrs. Mahoney was held on Friday in Kansas City, Kas. The services were held at the home, 616 North Seventh street and conducted by the Rev. Father James Keegan of St. Mary's Catholic church. It was estimated that more than 1,000 persons gathered about the house during the services. The children at Central school, where the younger Mahoney children attended, stood with bowed heads while the funeral cortege passed.

Nellie Mahoney and her sister, Lillian, age 6, were still in St. Mary's hospital and were unable to attend the services. They were, however, told for the first time of the deaths of their parents. The girls were taken from the hospital to their home in a closed carriage last night. Lillian is now able to walk about, and the attending surgeons say she is recovering rapidly. The girls are being attended at their home by a trained nurse. Mr. Mahoney's sister is in charge of the house.

Judge Prather said yesterday that he would visit the Mahoney home tomorrow morning in order that Nellie might sign a bond and qualify as an administrator.

Mr. Mahoney did not leave a will, at least none has been found.

BLESSES WATERS OF KAW. ~ Custom of Greek Catholics Carried Out by Priest.

January 24, 2026

BLESSES WATERS OF KAW.

Custom of Greek Catholics Carried

Out by Priest.

Clad in the rich silken robes of his office and surrounded by a number of vested altar boys, the Rev. John Markowitch, pastor of the Servian Greek Catholic church of St. George, at First street and Lyons in Kansas City, Kas., knelt before an improvised alter near the middle of the Central avenue bridge yesterday morning and invoked a blessing on the Kaw river. One thousand parishioners attended the ceremony. After blessing the river the priest sprinkled each one of the church members present with water drawn from the river and administered the sacrament to them.

The congregation met in the church yesterday morning and marched from there to the bridge. The procession was led by six vested altar boys, who carried candles. They were followed by the priest, who was dressed in rich robes and carried a crucifix. Following the priest was a brass band which led a column of about 600 men. After the ceremony, which lasted about one hour, the participants marched back to the church.

Later the priest visited the homes of each of his parishioners and sprinkled their door posts with the blessed water. The custom of blessing rivers, while comparatively new in Kansas City, is an old one in Servia. The rivers are blessed there once a year, and the water used for baptisms taken from them.

Father Markowitch, who conducted the ceremony yesterday, is 52 years old. He came to Kansas City, Kas., two years ago, and in January, 1908, performed a ceremony similar to that performed yesterday, which was the first of the kind in Kansas City. The parish has grown from 800 to more than 2,000 communicants since he took charge.

CHILDREN WON'T EAT MEAT. ~ Independence Sunday School Pupils Vote Thirty-Day Boycott.

January 21, 2026

CHILDREN WON'T EAT MEAT.

Independence Sunday School Pupils

Vote Thirty-Day Boycott.

The boys and girls of the Maywood Sunday school, near Independence, met last night and decided to eat no meat during the next thirty days. Petitions were circulated in Independence yesterday, but received few signers.

PARISH FOR COLORED CATHOLICS. ~ St. Monica's Catholic Mission Organized by Franciscans.

January 15, 2026

PARISH FOR COLORED CATHOLICS.

St. Monica's Catholic Mission

Organized by Franciscans.

A Catholic mission, known as St. Monica's Parish for Colored Catholics, has been organized by the Franciscan Fathers of the city at 2552 Locust street. The first divine services of the new mission will be held at St. John's school, 534 Tracy avenue, tomorrow. Regular services will be held at the parish headquarters on the second and fourth Sundays of each month, a Sunday school service following the services.

EQUAL SHARE FOR ALL. ~ United Order of Enoch to Have Communistic Settlement.

January 14, 2026

EQUAL SHARE FOR ALL.

United Order of Enoch to Have

Communistic Settlement.

A communistic settlement, following in general the ideas of the late Henry George, is planned by the Reorganized Church of the Latter Day Saints at Independence, in articles of association filed in the circuit court. The United Order of Enoch is the name chosen.

The purpose of this association, says the petition, is for a "Benevolent society to work in the interest of the poor and needy; to supply work for the unemployed; to build homes and furnish social entertainment for its members." There is to be a common store house. At the annual meeting last April, at Lamoni, Ia., the local members of the Latter Day Saints' church were instructed to organize an association of this kind.

In addition to securing homes for the poor and equal opportunities for the needy, financial, educational and social, the association is to promote temperance, morality and the equality of the members. It is "To provide against selfishness and covetousness," and there is to be a "voluntary co-operation in the use, application and distribution of wealth." It is not to be run for individual pecuniary profit. All property is to be held in common and the debts of members are to be paid by the association. The boys and girls are to be educated in the public schools and later sent to college.

The petition provides for an annual settlement of the "stewardships." All surplus in worldly goods is to be turned into the common treasury, and an itemized account of what is needed for the coming year filed with the officers and directors. In case of a shortage, after a "faithful performance of duty," the member is to be supplied from the common treasury. "Each one is to seek to the interest and good of his neighbor. the annual meeting of the officers and directors is to be held the first Monday in April.

The officers are: E. L. Kelley, president, F. M. Smith, secretary, Ellis Short, treasurer.

HYDE PARK M. E. CHURCH A REBUILT RESIDENCE. ~

January 10, 2026

HYDE PARK M. E. CHURCH

A REBUILT RESIDENCE.

Upper Floors Refurnished for

Parsonage -- Congregation Formal-

ly Takes Possession.

The congregation of the Hyde Park M. E. church yesterday formally took possession of their new house of worship at Valentine road and Broadway. This is probably the first instance in the history of religion of the transforming of an old residence into a church. For years the property was known as the Allen residence and a year ago it was bought for $20,000 by the congregation. At an additional expense of $5,000 the first floor was made over into an auditorium beautifully decorated and fitted out with comfortable pews and an attractive pulpit. The upper floors were re-decorated and refurnished for the parsonage and the basement arranged for sociables and a meeting place for the different church organizations. Three-fifths of the cost has been paid with out assistance from the public, and in bringing about this satisfactory condition the congregation has received generous support from George N. Neff, J. W. Vernon, Fred B. Houston and William S. Kirke.

Prior to yesterday the church society to the number of 100 have been conducting services in a store room at Thirty-seventh and Main streets and have had as their pastor for a year the Rev. Dr. Napthall Luccock, who resigned a $5,000 a year pastorate in St. Louis to come to Hyde Park to help it grow at a salary of $1,800 a year.

FUNERAL OF CHRISMAN SWOPE. ~ Services Yesterday at Presbyterian Church in Independence.

December 9, 2025

FUNERAL OF CHRISMAN SWOPE.

Services Yesterday at Presbyterian

Church in Independence.

The funeral of Chrisman Swope, eldest son of Mrs. Logan O. Swope, took place yesterday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the First Presbyterian church, Independence. Rev. C. C. McGinley, pastor of the church, conducted the service. Mis McGilveray of Kansas City rendered a solo, "Ye Shall Know." Burial was in Mount Washington cemetery.

Miss Lucy Lee Swope, who was in Paris, started home upon receipt of the news of the death of her brother and of the illness of other members of the family.

ART IN A CROATIAN CHURCH. ~ Beautiful Paintings Now Adorn Edifice of St. John the Baptist.

December 5, 2025

ART IN A CROATIAN CHURCH.

Beautiful Paintings Now Adorn Edi-

fice of St. John the Baptist.

While the nuns were saying their evening prayers before the alter in St. John the Baptist Croatian Catholic church, at Fourth street and Barnett avenue in Kansas City, Kas., last night, workmen were busy in the rear of the church tearing away a great wooden scaffolding The scaffold has been used during the last six weeks by Oton Tvekovic, an artist, who has been decorating the church after the manner of the Catholic churches in Croatia.

In the alcove above the alter the artist has painted the figures of Jesus and the prophets Jeremiah, Isias and Elias. The figures are somewhat larger than life size and are skillfully executed. In the north alcove of the church the artist has executed a painting thirty-eight feet in length, which represents the prophets, Cyril and Methodus, on their presentation to Prince Rastislav of the Slavonic peoples. Thee picture tells the story of these two apostles who first carried the Christian religion to the Slavs at the close of the eighth century.

An unfinished picture in the south alcove will, when completed, represent the birth of Christ. In the ceiling of the church the pictures of the twelve apostles will be executed. Mr. Tvekovic is a native of Agrin, Croatia. He is a graduate of the Fine Arts institute in Vienna, and is a professor of art in the fine arts schools of Karlsruhe and Munich. He is staying with the Rev. M. D. Krmpotich, pastor of the church. Besides being a portrait painter, Mr. Tvekovic is a landscape artist of note. He has several sketches which he will place on display soon at 416 East Eleventh street, Kansas City, Mo.

Father Krmpotich said last night that his church was the first Croatian church in America to be decorated as are the churches in the mother country. Besides the pictures of the Biblical characters, the church has been decorated in the national colors of Croatia. Several designs peculiar to Croatia have been worked into the decorative scheme, and when finished the interior of the church will present a picturesque and pleasing appearance. Father Krmpotich organized St. John the Baptist parish seven years ago. Since that time a substantial brick church, a rectory and a school have been built. The parish now comprises more than 150 Croatian families, and is in a flourishing condition.

FIRST MOOSE FUNERAL. ~ 250 Members of Kansas City Lodge Honor Departed Brother.

November 29, 2025

FIRST MOOSE FUNERAL.

250 Members of Kansas City Lodge

Honor Departed Brother.

The Kansas City lodge of the Loyal Order of the Moose had its first funeral yesterday afternoon, when it buried in Mount St. Mary's cemetery, Charles Burns, a contracting carpenter of 1316 Walnut street, who died in St. Mary's hospital last Tuesday. Mr. Burns was a charter member of the local order and the first of nearly 1,000 Kansas City Moose to die. Local lodge officials tried for several days to locate relatives of Burns in the East but without success.

Yesterday's funeral procession included 250 members of the order. It was headed by a brass band and started from the Moose club rooms, at Twelfth and Central streets. From there the cortege moved to the Cathedral, where the Catholic ceremonies were held, Father Lyons preaching the sermon.