A Brief History of St. Paul's Episcopal Church Submitted by Murrel Bland St. Paul's Episcopal Church can trace its roots back to May, 1857 when its first services were held. The church is older than the Diocese of Kansas (1859), the state of Kansas (1861) and the city of Kansas City, KS (1886). The church started as a mission in the City of Wyandot at what is now Fourth Street and Minnesota Avenue. The Rev. Rodney Nash was the first rector. In 1882 the cornerstone for the second building was laid at Sixth Street and Ann Avenue. The church moved again in 1896 to 712 State Avenue. In 1925 the church purchased property in the Westheigh Area on 18th Street between Washington Boulevard and Washington Avenue. The church moved to its present location in 1927. At the time Westheight was the western edge of the city. A major addition to the church was built in the mid-1950s and completed in 1956. David Mackie and I.L. Roark Jr. were the architects and Fred Wyatt was the contractor. One of the more attractive features of the sanctuary is the stained glass windows. The altar window was created by the Jacoby Art Glass Company of St. Louis, MO. Joseph Meyer was the artist. He was born in Munich, Germany and studied in Rome, Venice, and Florence, Italy. It shows Christ in the center and four saints - Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John - on the sides. The other stained glass windows on the sides of the sanctuary were added later. Various families donated funds for the the windows which are memorials to loved ones. The scenes depict Christ in well known stories from the New Testament. These windows were also created by the Jacoby Company. The tapestry at the rear of the sanctuary was created by Juana de Juanes. It depicts the Pentecost and was dedicated in 1965 as a memorial to Guy Stanley, a civic leader who developed the Fairfax Industrial District. The portal relief above the doors just inside the sanctuary is a memorial to Roy Edwards Jr. It was created by sculptor David DeRousseau and dedicated in 1991. Rectors who served at St. Paul's are listed in a framed display just outside the sanctuary. The Rev. Carl Nau served the longest from 1921 until 1948. The Rev. Michael Sowan served from 1980 to 1995 and he was assisted by the Rev. John Pruessner, who is rector emeritus. Father Pruessner also served as rector from 1968 until 1979. The Rev. Alan Tilson served from 1997 to 2003. Our deacon Pat Murphy began in March 2003 and Reverend Ron Reed began serving December 20, 2003.

 

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