Over a century of service

Our church is grateful for its long service to the Topeka area. Our church has always been a small but vibrant part of the city, even as we have migrated westward with the city’s growth!

The “First Reformed Presbyterian Church” was organized on November 19, 1888 with 41 members just 30 years after Topeka was chartered as a city. The first communion sermon was held on March 31, 1889. During these years the congregation met at the Ladies’ Library Hall (11th and Kansas), followed by the Ladies’ Exchange (near Evergy Plaza).

Eventually, three lots were purchased on Clay Street in 1894, where a new church building and manse would be built and opened for services two years later. Outreach was then begun at Irving Place on the city’s east side (operating 1910-1944).

By 1954, the Clay Street Church was no longer able to meet the church’s needs, so we began the process of building a new building on Fairlawn Road. Our first worship services at 2121 Fairlawn Road (Fairlawn Plaza), were held on August 12, 1956.

A five-acre parcel was purchased in July 1995 at 33rd Street and Auburn Road, and groundbreaking for this third – and our present – church location took place on September 23, 1995. The first full Lord’s Day in the new facility was on October 20, 1996. We continue to joyfully worship in this “Auburn Road Church” location up to the present day!

Even as our church has seen many changes to the makeup of our membership, and of our city, we delight in seeing people old and young learning to follow Jesus Christ. Through the work of the Holy Spirit, his timeless teachings and example have instructed many to live their lives by the light of His Word. We have seen generations of children grow up in our midst, and go forth to serve Christ both right here in Topeka and around the world!