By RANDY GONZALES
Special to Hays Post
The First Presbyterian Church of Hays celebrated its 150 years of existence at a Sunday service last month. Looking back to the early years of Hays City, establishing the church was due in large part to Anna “Grandma” Wilson.
“She was never a grandmother, interestingly,” said Rev. Christine Wagner, who has served as the transitional pastor at the church since January 2022.
Wilson was a widow who had lost four sons by the time she moved to Hays City with her sole surviving son in 1871. She was instrumental in the founding of the church and was one of eight charter members when the church was officially incorporated on May 27, 1873.
Women such as Wilson and the ones who came after her have helped give purpose to the church.
“It’s really remarkable the role women have played in this church, going back to the beginning,” Wagner said. “Through lunches and ice cream socials, they paid for the mortgage on the manse (minister’s house). They bought an organ.”
“People would look to the women when a financial need arose,” she added. “Church women would find ways to make it work.”
The original stone church was built in 1879 on the corner of Normal Avenue and Chestnut Street. It is still standing, near the corner of what is now Seventh and Main streets. In 1926, a large, red brick addition was dedicated.
A new, 14,500-square-foot church was built at its present location at 29th and Hall streets in 1974.
John Gustad, who moved to Hays when he became president in 1969 of Fort Hays Kansas State College — now Fort Hays State University — played a key role in the building of the new church, said his daughter, Ann Leiker.
Leiker remembers that the contractor assigned to design the church was let go, and President Gustad asked John C. Thorns Jr., chairman of the FHSU’s art department, to take over the design process of the sanctuary. Thorns designed the dozen stained glass windows and the bell tower.
President Gustad was chairman of the building committee and his wife, Dorris, was chairwoman of the interior design committee for the new church. As part of that undertaking, Gustad and his family visited a church in Texas and incorporated some of the architecture there for the Hays church, Leiker said.
As part of the 150-year celebration last month, a video was shown that was produced as part of the 125th anniversary celebration. Playing the role of “Grandma” Wilson was none other than Wagner, a parishioner since 1990 before joining the seminary.
Framed photos of members of the congregation at the time of the 125th-anniversary celebration were re-hung as well. Any church member could participate back then, and there were baby photos alongside then-current photos. Next to them were declarations of what the church members wanted to be growing up and what they ended up doing as an adult.
“I think it’s wonderful we’re celebrating this accomplishment,” Leiker said of the gathering, which had more than 100 members of the congregation in attendance. “It reminded me of the very special place our church and our congregation has had in this community.”
As one enters the church, front and center is a bust of “Grandma” Wilson, along with a favorite chair.
One can almost envision her sitting there, a look of determination on her face, doing whatever it would take to build the faith community.
The Presbyterian community has come a long way from those humble beginnings as the first established church in Hays.
“For many people, it’s a time to remember,” Wagner said. “It’s also a time for us to be energized regarding our future.”
Leiker has been a member of the church since Nov. 29, 1969. She has served as the church’s mission outreach coordinator and later transitioned to become director for the Center of Life Experience.
“I’ve been a member of more than 50 years and understand the history of the church,” Leiker said. “It’s been a significant part of my life. I think there’s strength of faith by many members of our congregation, who are open to moving forward in the most positive way with our community.”
Through the first 150 years, perhaps the church’s motto says it all: “Church of the Pioneers.” If “Grandma” Wilson were still around, she would surely approve.
