Wednesday, October 17, 2018

Our Past Is Present October 17, 2018


October 17, 2018
            You are reading to “Our Past Is Present” from the Geary County Historical Society.
            Prior to the end of the Civil War, worshippers made little or no attempts to establish separate congregations.  However, once the war was over that changed.  The newspaper at the time reported that the Baptists were the first to split from these Union meetings.  In 1865, under the leadership of Elder Caleb Blood, the First Baptist Church of Junction was organized. Soon they had dedicated a large room for worship in the back part of the Streeter and Strickler store at the corner of Seventh and Washington Streets.    This was said to be their first regular place of worship in Junction City.
            After a few years at the Streeter and Strickler Building, James Streeter donated money to have a permanent church built for those of the Baptist faith.  This new church was located between Sixth and Seventh Streets and was on the west side of Jefferson Street.  It was dedicated on January 27, 1867. 
            An interesting account of the church’s early history is that for three years, 1867-70, the church did not have a rooftop.  It was blown away in the middle of a storm.  Because of this the Reverend Balcom, who was a Baptist Evangelist, was called upon to help “pray the roof back on.”  A year after the help from Reverend Balcom and the Junction City community the roof was back on the church and the sermons were back to normal. 
            After WW II the Baptist church saw a growth in members and the church itself.  In order to get to as many people as possible, live broadcasts of the morning worship services were aired on the KJCK – AM radio station and are still aired today. 
            A major setback occurred when approximately $40,000 worth of damage was caused by a fire in December 15, 1955. This did not stop the church from increasing its membership and has become one of the major institutions in Junction City.  
            And.. that’s today’s story on “Our Past Is Present” from the Geary County Historical Society.

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