140 Years of Discipleship

In 1870 a group of church elders from the far reaches of the Hickman Mills area, traveled to the frontier of Lee’s Summit Missouri. With the help of others, they started the Lee’s Summit Christian Church with 12 charter members. These Disciples (as the Disciples of Christ Church wishes them to be called) began meeting in the upstairs room of Sam Dryden’s grocery store from 1870 through 1874. At that time, they moved into a one roomed church at 4^th and Douglas, on land donated by William B. Howard. Howard was the founder of the city of Strother, which later became known as Lee’s Summit.

Throughout their early history, the Lee’s Summit Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) was not affected as much as other congregations by the countries divide over slavery. The church counted among many of its early members both pro Union and pro Confederate. Sam Dryden, although not a member, allowed the church to meet in his store. Early member rolls include former Confederate soldiers and “persons of color.” Three former US Presidents, Garfield, LBJ and Reagan, indicate the Disciples of Christ as their denomination.

Many of the churches that were formed on the American frontier, as the Disciples of Christ was, experienced many growth spurts throughout the latter 19^th and earlier 20^th century due to revival and tent meetings. One such revival, the Hamilton-Stewart meeting in August of 1913 saw the conversion of the infamous Cole Younger from outlaw to Christian and fellow Disciple.

A wooden building replaced the one room brick church in 1898. This structure was later destroyed in a fire in 1948. Long time Disciple Jim Carpenter witnessed this burning while home on lunch from school. He and several members rescued the church organ from the burning building. That Sunday in the gym of the Lee’s Summit High School (at the former administration building on Miller street) Rev. Merle McConnell, preached that from the “ashes would come a new church.” This red brick building is what stands today across from Dairy Queen.  Merle continued to lead the congregation from the early 40s through the late 70s when he retired. Under McConnell, there was talk of rebuilding with property purchased at 4^th and Independence. These plans never came to fruition; however the congregation continued to grow throughout his tenure.

In 1979, the congregation welcomed Dr. Tom Haley to lead them through phenomenal growth and relocation. Haley inspired members to dream big. Under his leadership the church purchased property at 291 and Tudor Road. At the time, this part of Lee’s Summit was still considered rural. They moved to this location in December of 1985. In reflections on his years at the church, Tom stresses that his success “was tied to the fact that Merle stepped aside and let him lead.”

Tom remembers the church members being able to stay positive throughout many challenges and trials. “We were always able to confront difficult issues and work through them, rather than let them split us.” During his years at the church, “they began holding the Martin Luther King celebration each year, began opening their doors to many community programs, and lent many of their members to many civic and school committees.” Haley has remained active in the community. He stepped aside at the church upon retirement and allowed for the continued growth under the church’s current leadership.

The current minister, Rev. Bill Briley, began his tenure in 2004. Rev. Briley stresses that, “the Disciples originated from an American frontier movement and continue to show that independent spirit. We want to work with other churches, but do not want others to tell us what to believe.

“We are united in our belief that there is ‘no creed but Christ.’”

“Our communion table is open to anyone who wants to honor Christ’s sacrifice on the cross.” Briley feels the Christian Church(Disciples of Christ) appeals to an educated populace because the church encourages its members to seek the truth in their own study.

Rev. Briley is also impressed by the lack of turnover in the recent leadership of Lee’s Summit Christian. “For half of its existence, the church has only had three full time ministers, Merle McConnell, Dr. Tom Haley and me.”