July 2023

The following photos are of former churches, at least the structures, if not the congregations, many of which still exist in Ellinwood.  Almost none of these structures still exist.  They've been scanned from the collection of a parishioner. 

If I've misidentified some of them, feel free to let me know.  Likewise, if you can share any facts about any of them.  Hate to lose the history.  Feel free to comment on Facebook.

They are in no particular order, especially as my unfamiliarity with our website's software sometimes forces me to put a picture where I don't want.

Here is what I presume was the first Methodist Church in Ellinwood.  The back says that it was built in 1886.

Many of us are easily able to remember that this was the first Calvary Baptist Church.  It's still standing and is now a home.

Here are two shots of a church called Nazarene.  The back says that the first service was held in the new building in July of 1939.

It's identified as "South Baptist Church.

Here is a photo of a Lutheran predecessor.  As you can see, it's identified as a German Lutheran Church.  I am thinking that this stood near the site of the present day high school.

 This photo is marked Deutsche Evangelische Zion Kirche.  The back says Henry Kupfemagel, 1st pastor.  Even today in Germany, the Lutheran Church is known as the "Evangelical Church" to distinguish it from the only other Church that Germans know, "The Catholic."  I believe in America they only began calling it "the Lutheran Church" when other Protestant denominations began to use the term "Evangelical."  As you can see, it's clearly not the church above.

To illustrate my point, this church is called Evangelical and Reformed .  I'm old enough to remember it, as it stood where the city offices are today, on the south side of Wolf Park.  It was the predecessor of the United Church of Christ on 7th Street.  I think some of its window may be in the new church.

And then there are churches and congregations that have both disappeared.  This is the first Presbyterian Church in 1900.  I have no idea where it stood.  By "First" I mean the first in Ellinwood, not the title of the denomination.  

This church stood four miles south of town and one mile west.  It's identified as the "Pleasant Hill Evangelical Church."

This one just says "unidentified church."  But it looks like the German Evangelical Zion Church to me.

 

Here is the predecessor to the current Saints Peter and Paul, north of Ellinwood.  A lot of people on the farms back then.

Here is an early photo of the current Saints Peter and Paul.

 Saint Joseph Church in 1881.  Father Epp is pastor.  This building would later become the Catholic School.

 

This says, "another view of Saint Joseph Catholic Church after the installation of brick streets, 1922."  It shows the original rectory, which was moved in the 1940s and is now Wolf Manor.  You can see the current convent in the background.

This is a postcard, which says that is a view of the original Saint Joseph's.

Another view of the original Saint Joseph's.  A first communion class.  Why does no one wear elegant hats anymore?  Even boys did back then!

This is a picture, I think, of the 1st Saint Joseph's School, which was originally the church.  Father has a great hat.

 This is a picture of the 1st Catholic Church in Ellinwood, which was on the site where Saint Joseph's Catholic School now stands.  When the new church was built in 1900, this building became the school building.  As you can see, the occasion is a First Communion class.