For 100 years, Merriam Christian Church has been a vital
part of the religious and social fabric of Johnson County,
Kansas.
Merriam Christian Church was organized on February 16,
1913 as a Community Sunday School and met in a former
schoolhouse which still stands one block north on
Merriam Drive. Fifty-seven people joined the church in
the beginning. Together they organized a Ladies Aid
Society, a Boy's Athletic Club, a Girls Social Club, and a
weekly Social and Literary Club.
The present site of the church building was purchased in
1914, and the Fellowship Hall was constructed with a
quonset-hut roof. The facility was used by local schools
for programs and Merriam High School played their
basketball games here. In the 1920's, silent films were
shown on the weekends in the church to help raise
additional funds.
The sanctuary was constructed in 1926. Many of the
members gave not only their monetary resources to help
build, but pitched in with skills like brick laying and
carpentry. The Education wing was added in 1959 with
six classrooms, a youth room, a library, office space,
and a chapel. Organizations like the Johnson County
Library and Johnson County Community College both
began by using space in Merriam Christian Church. The
Johnson County Christmas Bureau continue to use space
from the church to this day to reach out to thousands of
Johnson County families.
Merriam Christian Church has been a bedrock presence
of faith and grace in Merriam, Kansas for 100 years and
we look forward to continuing to be "Merriam's church
home" for another 100 years.