Atchison County Historical Society
OUR MISSION
The church will serve as a rural extension of the Atchison County Historical Society, offering exhibits about the Bleeding Kansas Era and Pardee Butler and his contributions to the early Kansas Free-State movement.
Visitors interested in local history will have the opportunity to explore displays and discover Pardee Butler’s enduring legacy.
Our goal is to provide a welcoming environment for a range of gatherings, including:
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Family reunions
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Weddings
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Funerals
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Youth group retreats
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Wedding and baby showers
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Anniversary celebrations
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And More!
The Farmington Christian Church
Located in Atchison County at 5628 Hodgeman Rd.
Pardee ButlerAbolitionist, minister, Atchison County pioneer. 1816-1888
The Reverend Pardee Butler came to Kansas Territory from Illinois in the spring of 1855, settling along Stranger Creek near Farmington, Atchison County. He was a minister in the Disciples of Christ Church and had served as a pastor in Ohio and Iowa.
After building a log cabin on the land, Butler traveled to Atchison. He intended to board a steamboat to Illinois to bring his family to Kansas. On August 17, 1855, while waiting to board the boat, Butler expressed his antislavery views. Later that evening, he was confronted by a group of men who tried to get him to sign a statement in support of slavery.
When Butler refused, he was dragged to the Missouri River where the group threatened to drown or hang him. Instead of actually committing the act of murder themselves, the mob decided to set him adrift on the river, believing he would not survive the ride. They also told Butler that Missourians would try to shoot him from their side of the river bank.
A few logs were lashed together, and an "R" for "rogue" was painted on Butler's forehead. A banner was attached to a branch on one of the logs, declaring "Greeley to the Rescue" (a reference to Horace Greeley, the anti-slavery editor of the New York Tribune). The banner also declared Butler to be an agent for the Underground Railroad. Butler later recalled that he said to his tormentors: "Gentlemen, if I am drowned I forgive you; but I have this to say to you. If you are not ashamed of your part in this transaction, I am not ashamed of mine. Good bye." After he was set adrift, Butler used a penknife to cut off the branch and use it as an oar. He managed to dock on the Kansas side of the river a few miles below Atchison and, eventually, made his way to Illinois as planned.
Despite his troubles, Butler brought his family to Kansas, but he did not return to Atchison until April of 1856. Before he could conclude his business, he was accosted by pro-slavery men and was threatened with hanging. The mob settled for tar and feathers.
He did not abandon his abolitionist work, but the coming of calmer times to Kansas saved him from additional violent experiences. He helped organize the Republican Party in Kansas, was important to the development of the Christian Church in the West and was a leader in the Prohibition movement. He was widely recognized in the state until his death on his Farmington farm on October 19, 1888.
Learn More About Pardee Butler
The Legacy of Pardee Butler: Kansas Pioneer, Abolitionist, and Founder of the Farmington Christian Church by Cyreesa Hall Windsor
Growing up as a member of the Farmington Christian Church, I often heard others mention
the name of its founder, Pardee Butler. The reverence in their voices suggested he was an important historical figure. However, it wasn’t until I began reading Personal Recollections of Pardee Butler, With Reminiscences and researching the church’s earliest days that I truly understood how much this
frontier minister’s work shaped both the church and the broader history of Kansas.
Pardee Butler and His Impact on Kansas History
Renowned for his steadfast abolitionist views and vital contributions to the state’s development during an extremely tumultuous period, Pardee Butler was a key figure in Kansas history. His life reflects the challenges and triumphs of those who fought for freedom and moral integrity in the mid-1800s.
His Early Life and Move to Kansas
Pardee was born on March 9, 1816 in Onondaga County, New York, the second of seven children of Phineas and Sarah Butler. The family moved to Ohio when he was not quite three years old. He became a member of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) at the age of 19 and was ordained as a minister in 1844. Seeking new opportunities, he moved to the Kansas Territory in 1855, settling in Atchison County about 12 miles west of the city of Atchison.
The Kansas-Nebraska Act and the Fight for Freedom
The passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Act in 1854 gave settlers the power to decide whether slavery would be allowed in Kansas, a principle known as popular sovereignty. This law triggered a flood of pro-slavery and anti-slavery settlers, each side hoping to influence the outcome. As a committed abolitionist, Butler saw this as a pivotal opportunity to ensure Kansas would become a free state.
Abolitionist Activism and Mob Incidents
Butler’s vocal opposition to slavery made him a target during the violent Bleeding Kansas era. On August 16, 1855, while in Atchison, Butler refused to denounce his free-state beliefs. As a result, a mob seized him, blackened his face, placed him on a raft labeled with derogatory messages and set him adrift on the Missouri River.
Despite this brutal attack, Butler’s resolve remained unshaken. He returned to Atchison in March 1856, where he was again attacked by a mob, subjected to a mock trial, and tarred and feathered (or rather, “cottoned” due to the lack of feathers). He was warned that any future appearance in Atchison would result in his death.
Two Significant Men of Atchison County: Pardee Butler and Caleb May
In Atchison County, Butler worked closely with Caleb May, a fellow abolitionist and neighbor. Both men served as delegates to the 1855 Topeka Constitutional Convention, which marked the first significant attempt to establish a constitution for Kansas. May would later become the only Atchison County farmer to sign the Wyandotte Constitution, the fourth and final constitution for the state of Kansas, which played a critical role in Kansas’s admission to the Union as a free state in 1861.
Today, Butler’s great-grandson, Glen O. Butler, lives in the limestone house built by Caleb May, and which stands as a tangible reminder of the legacy shared by these influential Kansas settlers.
Contributions to the Christian Church and Kansas’s Growth
Butler’s influence in Kansas extended far beyond politics. In the spring of 1855, Butler arrived in Kansas and, by June, he had called a meeting of Christians at the home of Caleb May, where he preached the gospel. In 1856, Butler established the first Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Mt. Pleasant, which was near the town of Potter in southeastern Atchison County. Over time, he would go on to help establish numerous Christian Churches across the state, including the Farmington Christian Church, founded on October 6, 1897.
Butler was also instrumental in the Kansas Christian Church’s early missionary efforts. In 1858 he was appointed the state’s first evangelist, dedicating considerable time to preaching and building communities of faith. Over the course of three decades, Butler helped bring more than 29,000 individuals into the Christian Church.
Beyond his religious work, Butler was a strong advocate for political and social reforms. He supported the temperance movement, campaigning for the constitutional prohibition of alcohol in Kansas. Despite encouragement to run for public office, Butler declined, famously stating, “A Christian preacher is the highest office on earth.”
In recognition of his contribution, the town of Pardee, Kansas, was established in 1857 in his honor. Pardee Butler continued his ministry and reform work until his death on October 20, 1888, in Farmington, Kansas.
Preserving a Piece of History: The Farmington Christian Church
Although I grew up attending Farmington Christian Church, after leaving home and getting married I began attending a church in Atchison. Despite moving just 12 miles from Farmington to Atchison, my heart has always remained in the farming community where I was raised. This little white-framed church in the country wasn’t just our place of worship -- it was the heart of our community. It served as a polling location and a gathering spot for many important events. For generations, this church has been a cornerstone of our memories. Even though the church has been closed for 13 years, several times a year people still ask to visit, hoping to connect with their ancestors’ pasts.
In 2024, the Atchison County Historical Society and the Friends of Farmington Christian Church began a restoration project. Our initial goal was simple: to preserve this modest yet spiritually significant structure. However, as we delved deeper into the church’s history, we realized that its story needed to be shared, not just to honor the legacy of Pardee Butler, but also to celebrate the courage and determination of those who fought to ensure that Kansas would remain a free-state.
The Farmington Christian church has a remarkable Kansas history, but perpetuating it will be no easy feat. Preserving this rural historical landmark will require a dedicated effort by many to be successful.
Timeline of the Farmington Christian Church
The Formative Years of the Farmington Christian Church 1867-1897
In the formative years of the Farmington Christian Church, worship did not take place within the present-day structure. The early frontier settlers, facing the many trials of pioneer life, often lacked the means to construct even modest homes, let alone a dedicated house of worship. Nevertheless, their faith endured.
In June of 1855, Pardee called the first meeting of Christians at the home of Caleb May, his neighbor, on the banks of Stranger Creek where he preached the old-time gospel. In the years that followed, worship services were conducted beneath tents, carefully hand-stitched by the women of the community, and held in rural schoolhouses that served as provisional sanctuaries.
Despite their deep commitment, it was not until nine years after Pardee Butler’s passing that the members were able to raise sufficient funds to erect a permanent structure. Thus, in 1897, the present church building was completed—standing as a testament to the steadfast faith, perseverance, and communal spirit of Farmington’s early Christian pioneers.
TIMELINE
1867
On October 6th, the Farmington Christian Church (The Church of Christ) was established through the efforts of Elder Pardee Butler, beginning with 23 charter members. Without a dedicated church building, the congregation initially met in the local district schoolhouse. Among the founding families were the Johnsons, Butlers, Mays, Campbells, McElvans, Allisons, and McBrides. J.B. McCleary served as the first evangelist, while Pardee Butler and David Johnson were appointed as the church's first elders.
1870
Z.S. Hastings was chosen as elder.
1889
Records indicate that the officers included Elders W. L. Johnson, Z. S. Hastings, and E. E. May, with W. H. Drollinger and James Jarrett serving as deacons. This leadership structure remained in place as the organization grew, eventually reaching a membership of 222.
1890
The church included families with the following surnames: Fetcher, Jarrett, Armour, Hooper, Jarrell, Higley, Hall, Henneigh, White, Ward, Willming, and Goodrich.
1892
The church ceased to function.
1897
Five years after the previous organization ceased operations, the present church was reorganized. In February, the Rev. W. C. German led a brief meeting in the local schoolhouse, with 15 charter members in attendance, including Wm. Higley, Butler, Hall, Henngigh, and Drollinger.
On March 14th, a Church and Building Committee was elected to oversee the construction of a new church. The committee members were: C.P. Butler, W.H. Caine, A.S. Hall, H.D. Hall, S.F. Wright.
On March 31st, the Farmington Christian Church Corporation was established.
The original trustees were:
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C. P. Butler
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A. S. Hall
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H. D. Hall
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W. G. Higley
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S. F. Wright
On May 2nd, the committee reported that Wm. Gillen had agreed to donate lots for the church site. A soliciting committee was appointed, and by June 6, they had raised $240 to fund the construction.
On July 14th, Brother C. P. Butler proposed inviting Rev. T. M. Meyers to dedicate the new church and conduct revival meetings. That same day, A. S. Hall announced that the railroad company would donate rock for the foundation.
August 4th, construction bids were reviewed, and on August 15, it was reported that a bond for deed had been secured from Wm. Gillen and his wife. The committee awarded the building contract to J. L. Jones for $1,000, excluding the foundation.
September 5th, the foundation was completed.
October 3rd, the first regular business meeting was held in the new, though unfinished, church building.
On October 20th, the Rev. T. M. Meyers of Kansas City conducted the dedicatory services, with Brother S. F. Wright serving as pastor during the event. By the close of the revival meetings, church membership had grown to 25.
1898-1900
Part-time preaching was provided by Brothers S. F. Wright and W. A. Nickell, while revival meetings were conducted by Rev. R. A. Thompson and Rev. W. H. Warren. As a result of these efforts, the membership grew to 52.
1901-1903
Rev. I. W. Cameron served faithfully as minister of the church, during which time several individuals, including our current prominent member W. D. Crick, joined the congregation.
Additionally, Elder H. E. Ballou conducted a series of highly successful meetings, resulting in the addition of 15 new members and bringing the total church membership to 74.
1904 -1906
During these years, regular Lord’s Day services were held, including Sunday School, communion, and social gatherings. Elder Doak served as the church’s part-time minister.
In 1906, he agreed to preach one Sunday each month for a year, with compensation set at $150.00—or as much as the congregation could raise.
Under his pastorate, five new members were added to the church.
1907-1909
Rev. Oldham served as the church’s part-time minister until the fall of 1909. Following his departure, Elder O. J. Bennett took over the ministry. During the winter, he conducted a highly successful revival meeting, resulting in the addition of 40 new members to the congregation.
1910
The Rev. R. H. Murphy preached for the church on a part-time schedule, though no new members were added during his tenure.
1911
Throughout the year, Brother F. B. Ward, a student minister from the University of Kansas, faithfully ministered to the church. In September, Brother S. W. Nay from Kansas City held a highly impactful meeting, resulting in the addition of 21 new members to the congregation.
1912-1916
In 1912, Brother Ward was invited to continue his ministry for another year, which he accepted, serving through the first half of the year. Brothers A.D. Finch and J. E. Stevens completed his term. In November and December of 1913, Brother R. H. Murphey held a revival meeting that resulted in the addition of 21 new members. The following year, 1914, Reverend Presley Gordon led a meeting, welcoming 11 new members. Reverend E. Seibental then conducted a successful meeting in 1915 and continued his ministry with the church until 1918.
1916
In December, Brother F. H. Schmitt and his wife, from Wichita, conducted one of the most successful meetings, resulting in the addition of 40 new members.
1917
In August Brother F. H. Schmitt returned and held a meeting with less success.
1918
Rev. A.J. Carruck of Clyde, Kansas, served as the summer preacher for the church. Brother F.J. Payne became the first to reside in the newly completed parsonage, which was officially dedicated on July 7th.
1919
F.J. Payne’s pastorate continued until May of this year. During the summer, F.O. Resinenger, a student from Drake, served as a guest preacher for part of the season. In October, Brother O.F. Barnard arrived from Osbourn, Kansas, and served as pastor until October of 1922.
1921
O.F. Barnard invited Brother E.T. McFarland of Lawrence, Kansas, to lead a revival meeting in November and December. As a result of the meeting, 23 new members were added to the church, bringing the total membership to 198.
1922
In October, F.J. Carr began preaching and added two new members to the church.
1924-1925
Julian Stewart served as the minister during this period. Under his leadership, the church made significant improvements, including the purchase of new pews, chairs, and individual communion cups. Prior to this, a single glass was passed around to the entire congregation during communion.
1926-1928
During this period, Rev. Pliney Elliot served as the minister. The church had a membership of 124 individuals.
A significant development was the installation of the light, plant, which improved facilities and marked a step forward in modernization.
Many longtime members fondly recall the revival meetings held in the latter part of the 1920’s. These events were led by various evangelists and brought the congregation together for spiritual renewal and fellowship.
A Particularly cherished memory from these revivals involves the musical Jones family, who formed an orchestra that performed during the two-week meetings. The family stayed in the basement of the schoolhouse during their visit, and their music and presence left a lasting impression on the congregation.
1930
Sam Jones, a passionate speaker from Kentucky, conducted numerous revival meetings during this period. His wife, a gifted song leader, knew every hymn by heart and never relied on a hymnal. While in the area, they stayed at the home of John Keas. Around the same time, Presley Gordon of Rushville, Missouri, also led a meeting, during which a significant number of young people joined the church.
1933-1937
Clayton Hildebrand served as minister until 1935. He was succeeded by Brother Aten, who served from 1935 to 1936, followed by Fred Siegmund, who held the position from 1936 to 1937.
1940
Warren Dittemore served as the minister during this time. In October, electricity was installed in both the church and the parsonage by the Light Company of Atchison.
1941-1942
B.B. Nicholas served as the minister.
1943
Walter Meyers served as the minister.
1945 -1949
H.F. Kern served as the minister during this period. In 1947, the church celebrated a Jubilee Year and Homecoming. The event featured guest speaker O.F. Barnard and special music provided by a talented choir, directed by Mrs. Virginia Thorne. In 1949, a basement was constructed for the church, with much of the labor carried out by young men from the congregation, including the Thorne boys, Dan Teare, Bud Pike, the Hall boys, the Butler boys, Glen McCue, and the Higley boys. The new basement was officially dedicated on November 27th.
1950 -1956
Orville Evans served as minister from 1950 to 1953, followed by Robert (Bob) Wagner, who held the position from 1953 to 1956.
1957
Warren Jackson served as minister during this time. A second reunion was held, featuring a sextet of young girls who performed special music. The group included Sally Thorne, Sandra Botkin, Billie Zeek, Ann Dockweiler, Nancy Linscott, and Joyce Toney, with Virginia Thorne serving as their leader.
1960-1967
Bill Baker served as minister from 1960 to 1961, followed by Leslie Collins, who ministered in 1961. Richard Brooks held the position from 1962 to 1964, and Mike Williams served as minister from 1965 to 1967.
1968-1976
Tim McFarland served as minister from 1968 to 1973, followed by Rusty Marts, who ministered during the transitional period of 1972 to 1973. Ora Martindale then took over as minister from 1973 to 1976. On October 3, 1976, a Homecoming celebration was held in honor of the church's community.
1980-1996
Chris Cassel and E. Evans served jointly as ministers from 1980 to 1982. Charles Brown then served as minister from 1986 to 1989, followed by Don G. Jewett, who took on the role in 1989.
1996
Don G. Jewett served as minister from 1989 to 1996. On October 6, 1996, a Founder’s Day Celebration was held to commemorate the church’s history.
June 2012
Due to lack of members the Farmington Christian Church was closed.
HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN CHURCH MOVEMEMENT in KANSAS
The Movement That Birthed the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
A Brief History
The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) history began over two hundred years ago on the American frontier, when many people from different cultural and church backgrounds were thrown together in search of religious freedom in the American West. Though Christians in the New World felt united by their common faith in Christ, many frustrating denominational differences kept them apart. Out of that frustration grew a movement for Christian unity.
Leaders were Thomas Campbell, Barton W. Stone and Alexander Campbell.
There were three main leaders of the movement: Thomas Campbell, Alexander Campbell, and Barton W. Stone. Thomas Campbell, a Presbyterian minister, immigrated to America from Northern Ireland in 1807. Deeply disturbed by the infighting within his own denomination in Ireland and Scotland, he came to America, where he found the situation equally bad.
Soon after his arrival, he was asked to preside over a worship service in which rival factions of Presbyterians were present. As they came to the Lord’s Table, Campbell invited all present to join in communion.
Because of their disagreements, the groups were not supposed to share in communion. Consequently, Campbell was summoned before his governing presbytery, and for his action, he was suspended from the ministry. This suspension galvanized his resolve to bring Christians together beyond the sectarian divisions that tore them apart.
Soon Thomas’s son, Alexander, immigrated from Scotland to join his father in the work. The Campbells and those following them did not want to create a new denomination or add to the divisive names already in existence. Therefore, they called themselves only “disciples” or “disciples of Christ.”
These leaders then made the decision to break down sectarian walls by rejecting the individual traditions and creeds of all denominations as tests of faith and fellowship. Their goal was to return to the Bible and the practices of the earliest Christians, as described in the New Testament. Their rigorous search through Scripture led them to conclude that in the early church, communion was shared every Sunday and baptism was practiced by immersion.
The third leader in the early 1800s was another Presbyterian minister by the name of Barton W. Stone. For ordination, Stone was required to affirm the doctrines taught in the Presbyterian Confession of Faith. After much study of the doctrines and of Scripture, Stone found that he could not fully accept the content of the Confession of Faith. As a result, he told his superiors that he could only accept the confession insofar as he saw it consistent with the teachings of the Bible. They accepted his response and ordained him to the ministry.
As time went on, however, Stone became increasingly concerned about the various doctrines. He eventually left the Presbyterian Church, seeking to be only “a Christian.” Other disgruntled Presbyterians followed. They worshiped and worked together and called themselves “Christians,” seeking to sink into union with the Body of Christ.
The “Disciples,” led by the Campbells, and the “Christians,” led by Stone, eventually found each other and united as one movement on January 1, 1832. Bound by a common goal for unity, the two groups puzzled over a common name by which to be known. No official decision was reached, but congregations called themselves “Christian Churches” or “Churches of Christ.”
Despite the ambiguity, the movement grew rapidly. By the 1870’s, there were more than a million members in the United States.
Conflict
Around the turn of the century, a terrible irony occurred: this fast-growing movement, bound by the common goal to unite the Church, split in two! The movement to heal divisions divided.
The issue that launched the fatal fight was the introduction of an organ to provide music in the worship service. It seemed like a small issue to split people with so large a vision!
To one group, it was a matter of principle, as there is no mention of instrumental music in early Christian worship. This group considered this type of music to be without authority and, therefore, a sin.
The other group pointed to the multitude of examples of instrumental music in the Old Testament and held that the New Testament was not a legal document, and that anything that aided in the worship of God was appropriate.
The issue was not resolved, and in 1906 the U.S. Census officially listed a new category of churches calling themselves “Church of Christ.” To this day, the Church of Christ does not use instrumental music in worship.
Second Conflict
During the first half of the twentieth century, the group that accepted instrumental music in the worship service— “the Christian Church”—had other issues to dispute. Many felt the need for organization beyond the local congregation, on the regional and national level. They felt that this broader organization would more effectively coordinate the ministry of the church and fill the need for a Christian Missionary Society.
Others felt that such an organization would turn the movement into another denomination, adding division in the Church. They argued that each congregation should send its own missionaries. They feared a loss of control over the work of their churches.
This disagreement, sadly, led to another split. The separating churches continued to call themselves “Christian Churches” and desired independence from any “organized” church.
In 1968, the division became officially recognized. The group using instruments in worship and utilizing a cooperative, national organization for missions called itself The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and also points back to the two original movements of “Disciples” and “Christians.”
The Enduring Contributions of Pardee Butler to the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
In the spring of 1855, Pardee Butler arrived in newly established Kansas territory. He claimed land in Atchison County, which would later bear his name. In June he hosted a gospel meeting at Caleb May’s home along Stranger Creek.
By 1858, Butler was appointed State Evangelist by the Kansas Missionary Society. Over the next 30 years, he brought over 29,000 people into the church. His preaching, missionary zeal, and writings were instrumental in rooting Restoration principles—unity, New Testament baptism, and rejection of denominational creeds—deeply into the fabric of the Kansas church.
Legacy of Unity and Restoration
Pardee Butler faithfully upheld the teachings of the Campbell’s and Stone. He helped shape a church committed to New Testament simplicity and unity, free from the forms and divisions of denominationalism. His legacy mirrors the Restoration Movement’s heart: recovering the faith and practices of the early church, united under Christ.
His influence helped shape the movement and the churches that arose from it.
Thomas Campbell
1763-1854
Alexander Campbell
1788-1866
Barton W. Stone
1772-1844
Pardee Butler
1816-1888