How it all started...
Our story as a family of faith goes back more 150 years! Shawnee United Methodist Church traces its roots to missionaries to the Native American communities in the 1840s and 1850s. In 1878, our church's charter was issued, so we celebrate 1878 as our founding date. In those days, the congregation met in a brick building at the intersection of Main St. and Second St., now known as Johnson Dr. and Ballentine St., and we've been here ever since!
The stone building pictured here was completed in 1922 and forms the western part of our building today. The church celebrated the addition of stained glass windows in 1941.
The stone building pictured here was completed in 1922 and forms the western part of our building today. The church celebrated the addition of stained glass windows in 1941.
Expanding the vision...
After the Second World War, the Kansas City suburbs exploded with growth, as did the church. Through years of growth and expansion, we remained rooted in our love of God and our love of neighbor. Recently, we've completed major capital improvements to our roof, parking lot, and annex building. We believe that the careful stewardship of those saints of the past has set us up for a bright future.
Where we are headed...
As we look forward to the church of 2050 and a 150th anniversary in 2028, we plan to launch a new contemporary worship service in Fall of 2026, expand our small group ministries, and refocus and retool our children and youth ministry programs. We believe that God has called us to be an active force of love and grace in Shawnee and our broader community. We trust that, with God's guidance, we will continue to love God and our neighbors for many years to come.
