A progressive, urban church, Westport Presbyterian is rich in history and tradition, and recently celebrated its 170th Anniversary.
Kansas City Mayor Kay Barnes declared October 15, 2001, "Westport Presbyterian Church Day" throughout Kansas City in celebration of the church's 165th Anniversary.
In a Proclamation issued that day, Mayor Barnes said she, "salutes Westport Presbyterian Church for the many decades of spiritual and material service to the City of Kansas City, Missouri." Calling the church "a bastion of worship, spiritual renewal and community service," Mayor Barnes noted that the church celebrated its sesquicentennial fifteen years before Kansas City's own 150th Year Anniversary Celebration.
"This church is rich in tradition and history." said Rev. Scott Myers, the church's pastor since 1994. "It was founded in November, 1835 as the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in the Town of Westport."
Re-named the Westport Presbyterian Church, the church played an important role in the history of Kansas City. But during the Civil War, when the town of Westport became a battleground, the first 30 years of the church records were lost.
According to Nancy Gay, Westport Church Historian, "It was when young George P. Baity became minister in July, 1893, that an inquiry began amongst the members to fill in the missing history. He found that several prominent names in Kansas City history were charter members and held church offices. Alexander Majors, for example, was an elder in 1843. John Calvin McCoy, another elder, was the owner of the first trading post in Westport and the town's first mayor.
"Another unique facet of our church's history, added Rev. Myers, "is very long pastorates. From 1893-1972, a span of 79 years, just two pastors, Dr. George P. Baity and Dr. Stuart Paterson, served the congregation."
The church's year-long 165th Anniversary celebration culminated with a special Dedication Service on Sunday, October 15, 2000. One of the longest meeting congregations in Kansas City, the church was assisted with its celebration by the longest meeting Boy Scout Troop in the city, Boy Scout Troop 60.
In recent years, the church and its leadership have maintained a very active congregation and a vital involvement in the Westport Community with many outreach programs for youth and adults. Westport House for Senior Citizens, the Westport Brown Bag Concert Series, Westport Cooperative Services, Meals on Wheels, the Tutor the Computer Neighborhood Learning Center, Willow Woods Child Development Center and Boy Scout Troop 60 all have roots in the church. "Starting in 2001 added Rev. Myers, "we have launched a unique film series "Cinema 'n Soul", in which Kansas Citians are invited to view and discuss important American and foreign films that raise spiritual, moral and meaning of life issues."
"The Westport church has also played a major role in housing non- profit, community groups that otherwise would be unable to find space in mid-town." said Bob Russell, an active member of the anniversary celebration committee. "Groups such as the Historic Kansas City Community Foundation, the Kansas City Chorale, Friends of Sacred Structures, UMKC Communiversity classes and several international folk dance groups have met in the church or had office space there for many years."
"During our Anniversary Sunday worship service, we displayed our reverence for the consecrated men and women, whose 165 years of labor made possible the Westport Presbyterian Church of today," commented Nancy Gay.
"We are the heirs of their faith. Now we turn from the glimpse of the road they traveled to meet the challenges of Tomorrow."
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