The Osawatomie area was settled in 1854 in the Kansas Territory by abolitionists who sought for Kansas to be admitted into the United States as a “free state,” where slavery would be prohibited. In 1887, a group of Presbyterians received a charter to start a church in Osawatomie. Members committed to a “pay as you go” plan and dedicated themselves to funding the construction of a new building, which was completed in 1901. In 1891, the church started one of the first Christian Endeavor Societies in the state of Kansas. The congregation eventually merged with the local Congregationalists and Episcopalians. With this merger, they welcomed the legacy of Congregationalist minister, Samuel Adair, brother-in-law to famed abolitionist John Brown. Adair had settled in Osawatomie in 1855 as a missionary to the community, and built the Congregationalists’ Old Stone Church in 1861. Adair’s cabin eventually served as a stop on the Underground Railroad. Following the two World Wars, the Presbyterian Church was physically moved, and the pews and bell that had been brought from the Old Stone Church after the merger were returned.

The congregation carries on a legacy of service to their small town community. The church is home to Expressions of Grace, a gallery showcasing local artists. It also serves as the main point of contact for the Ministerial Benevolence Fund, an organization that helps connect local families with financial assistance for necessities like utility bills. The church has been home to a Scout troop for over 75 years.

On April 15th, 2026, Osawatomie experienced a major hailstorm. The storm caused damage to the roof, siding, and several of the church’s historic stained-glass windows. 

An Intervention Fund grant of $23,209 awarded in 2026 will help the congregation restore the stained-glass windows, preserving one of the structure’s most defining features. 

Photo by Lorrie Stull