The United Presbyterian Church of Garden City
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About Our Church

Our church as a rich history of being in the community with mission, philanthropy, and the socio-economic well being of Garden City. We've been serving since 1886 when the church was established, only eight years after the city was established. Truly God had and still has a vision for this multicultural and multilingual community!​
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We invite you to join us as we worship the Lord, celebrate Communion, study the Word of God in scripture, and minister to the spiritual needs of our members and the community. Our members and friends of the church come from diverse religious backgrounds - you are likely to meet someone that shares a similar religious upbringing to yours.

Our History

Presbyterians trace their history to the 16th century and the Protestant Reformation with the writings of  John Calvin (1509-1564) that influenced the Reformed Movement in Europe and the British Isles. Many of the early Presbyterians in America came from England, Scotland and Ireland. The first American Presbytery was organized at Philadelphia in 1706. The first General Assembly was held in the same city in 1789. The first Assembly was convened by the Rev. John Witherspoon, the only minister to sign the Declaration of Independence.

The Presbyterian Church of Garden City has been in continuous service to its members and this community since 1886! But, our current church building is not that old. The original building was located at the corner of Spruce and Garden City Avenue, and served until 1929. The second larger building which was located at 7th and Pine Streets near downtown, was totally destroyed by a devastating and tragic fire in 1985. It was found to be an arson. With the help of a caring community and the commitment and faith of our congregation, a new church building was dedicated in 1986 resulting in a beautiful space for worship. Our current church is a testament to our greatest asset, the people of this congregation.
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Portrait of a Survivor

A portrait of Jesus Christ. We encourage you to look closer. It is a portrait of a survivor. It was pulled from the ashes of the fire at our church in 1985, the most challenging period ever for our congregation, at the times, in its 99th year.

On a cold winter night on February 6, 1985 a citizen reported flames flashing behind the sanctuary's stain glass windows. Our local volunteer firemen and eight fire trucks fought the blaze but ice-clogged fire hydrants hindered their efforts. An hour into the battle, the sanctuary roof crashed down. When dawn broke the church stood gaunt and blackened. The piano and organ in the sanctuary were reduced to ashes. Multi-hued and lead bound glass windows were melted. Records were destroyed.

After the smoldering had subsided and the wreckage had been cooled by the weather, several church members began sorting and sifting through the debris. A charred bible was found lying on top of blackened picture frame that had once hung on the wall. When the bible was lifted, the face of Christ was highlighted by the area protected by the bible - our survivor, our savior. Though tears, the congregation realized through everything there was no devastation, "He is here, with us".

What We Believe

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​Some of the principles expressed by John Calvin remain at the core of Presbyterian beliefs. Among these are:
  • The sovereignty of God
  • The authority of Scripture
  • Justification by grace through faith
  • The priesthood of all believers
Collectively, these beliefs affirm that God is the supreme authority throughout the universe and our knowledge of God and God's purpose for humanity comes from the Bible, particularly as revealed in the New Testament through the life, teachings, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Our salvation (justification) through Jesus is God's generous gift to us and not something that we can earn through doing good works.
For it is by God’s grace that you have been saved through faith. It is not the result of your own efforts, but God’s gift, so that no one can boast about it. Ephesians 2:8-9 Although we do not have to do anything to earn salvation—in fact we cannot do anything because everything already has been done by and through Jesus Christ—everyone is called to respond to this free gift through acts of ministry, mission, and service. We do not respond because we have to, but because we get to, out of our gratitude for all that Jesus has done for us. The Book of Order is Part II of the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A), and the opening chapter outlines the primary principles. It begins by affirming that Jesus Christ is Head of the Church, which is his body. This affirmation is followed by what Presbyterians call the "Great Ends of the Church," which include the core principles at the heart of all activity.

The Great Ends include:
  • The proclamation of the Gospel for the salvation of humankind;
  • The shelter, nurture, and spiritual fellowship of the children of God;
  • The maintenance of divine worship;
  • The preservation of the truth;
  • The promotion of social righteousness;
  • The exhibition of the Kingdom of Heaven to the world.

Discover more here.
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​Seal of the Presbyterian Church

​In 1 Corinthians, Paul described the church as a body with many members, illustrating the pluralism of the church and the many gifts which God gives to its members.

Our seal is made up of individual parts - the cross, the book, the dove, the fish, the pulpit, the chalice and the flames - when taken together, form an encompassing visual and symbolic unity, while not exhausting the richness of possible interpretations.

For more information about the PC(USA), please click here.

Our Mission at The Presbyterian Church of Garden City

With Jesus Christ as our Head, we aspire to be a church home and family, visible and open to all in the community, where people come to be welcomed, included, loved and nurtured; where people come to quench their spiritual thirst.
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We:
  • WORSHIP together to glorify God by offering meaningful spiritual experiences for people of all ages,
  • TEACH the Gospel in such a way that it provides a sense of hope, meaning and direction for peoples’ lives,
  • CARE AND PRAY for one another as we experience life’s challenges,
  • EQUIP people to use their spiritual gifts in ministry,
  • SHARE our abundance as we reach out in service to our community and the world,
  • OFFER true hospitality to all, seeking to know them and their needs.
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Church Leadership

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​Rev. Doris A. Evans
Pastor
Multigenerational minister, former businesswoman, hails from Cleveland, Ohio

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​Kevin Ochampaugh
​Director of Music Ministry

Elementary Music Educator for
USD 457
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Alex Elchuck
Office Assistant
College Student,
studying computer science


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Ryan Ochampaugh
SANCTUARY & TECHNICAL SUPPORT

Aspiring musician.


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Jo Ann Mangan
​CHRISTIAN EDUCATION, MUSICIAN
Lifelong music educator, leader of "The Gathering"
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Mitch Watson
Technical support,
Contemporary
Service  Coord.
Garden City native

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Joe Lowry
 MUSICIAN,
​PRAISE TEAM

Self Employed Music Teacher

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The United Presbyterian Church of Garden City

1719 E. Texas St.
​Garden City, KS  67846
620.275.9141
office@pcusagardencity.org
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