History

The organization of Mt. Vernon United Methodist Church was first
made possible when the Wichita Methodist City Union recognized the
need for a Methodist Church in the southeast area of Wichita. Mrs.
Grace B. Hall, City Parish Visitor, contacted Methodist families in
the area who were interested in establishing a new church.

On May 10, 1952 an official organizational meeting was held under
the direction of Dr. Robert A. Hunt, District Superintendent. The
name “Mount Vernon Methodist” was adopted for the church. (In 1968,
when the Methodist Church merged with the Evangelical United
Brethren Church to form the United Methodist Church, the name of the
congregation changed to Mount Vernon United Methodist Church).

On May 3, 1953 Dr. O. F. Volkland, District Superintendent,
officiated at ground breaking services for the first unit of the
building. The basement was completed in September of 1953, and all
meetings were held there until the sanctuary was completed the
following summer.

On July 18, 1954 the pastor, Rev. Milo Paulin, conducted the first
service in the new sanctuary, which is now called the chapel.
Additional land was purchased at the same location, and on July 17,
1958 ground was broken for the present education building, which was
completed five months later.

On March 21, 1965 ground breaking ceremonies were held again, and
consecration services for the beautiful new sanctuary were held on
November 7, 1965 with Bishop W. McFerrin Stowe and District
Superintendent Dr. Paul Matthaei officiating, along with the pastor,
Rev. Walter R. Grist.

Mt. Vernon United Methodist Church celebrated its Fiftieth
Anniversary on Sunday, May 19, 2002. “The progress to date is
history, but only a gateway to the future.”