DATES OF SIGNIFICANCE
FOUNDED
JUNE 29, 1884
FIRST BUILDING ERECTED
1889
CURRENT BUILDING
1913
HISTORY IN DETAIL
In 1884 – when local settlers were barely dusting off the memory of the wild prairie frontier – Presbyterians began regular meetings in homes, shops, and store rooms throughout the budding pioneer town of Pratt. Under the care of first Pastor Rev. Andrew Axline, who had originally settled in Iuka, the church was organized on June 29, 1884 with 13 members present. The memberships grew, and permanent building was erected in 1889 and dedicated on March 8, 1889.
This facility served the congregation well until 1913 when the current building was dedicated with the corner stone laid on April 2, 1913. The architect was Rose & Peterson, Kansas City, Kansas. The builder was John H. Peter, Paola, Kansas. Its beautiful Gothic architecture constructed of Kansas limestone. The stunning stained glass windows were all memorials, making the sanctuary an open, warm atmosphere with a rich tradition of worship. The building was completed on January 18, 1914. The total cost being $33,500. The pipe organ was installed 1924.
The women of Pratt Presbyterian Church first organized the Missionary Society in 1892. Over the next 20 years, the group supported missionary works worldwide. Blanch Miller and her husband, Rev. A.P. Barrett, spent four years in Siam. Rev Charles E. Patton and his wife, Isabelle Mack Patton, herself a medical doctor, spent several years in China. Other missions were supported in Africa, the Philippines, and South America.
Today, the tradition established by the missionary heritage continues giving Pratt Presbyterian Church a perspective that both global and local. In 1956 the church joined the World Council of Churches. Locally, hospitals, scout groups, and troubled youth have all benefited from the congregation’s altruistic spirit. The church celebrated its Centennial in June 1984.
View our full history of serving Pastors from 1884 to present.
STAINED GLASS
On September 13, 2022 renowned photographer Doug McMinimy came and captured these beautiful pictures of our stained glass windows (click to view larger).
