Our History

       The First United Methodist Church of Lyons is the oldest Methodist Church in the Kansas West Conference.  It was organized formally as a class by the Rev. F.W. Griffith, Methodist, the first minister in the county to preach the first sermon in the county.  He was also the first representative to the State Legislature from Rice County. 

       The first Methodist Church was organized by Rev. M. J. Morse, newly arrived from Canada, in what was know as Buffalo Bill’s ranch house, four miles west and one mile south of Lyons.  It was the center of a circuit which included all of Rice County, Nickerson, and Hutchinson.  These soon set up their own independent charges.

       The first Sunday School was started in Atlanta, Kansas on June 23, 1872; a community effort with the Presbyterians, held alternate Sundays in the new schoolhouse.  When the county seat was moved to Lyons, over a mile north, the church moved there.  In 1880, the Methodist Church built a frame building at the corner of West Commercial Street and South Pioneer Street.  Ten years later, and addition doubled the space.  A new sanctuary was built in 1915 across the street to the west, and in 1966 an education building was built to the north of the sanctuary.  A new addition was added to the sanctuary in 1996 which includes a casket size elevator, and a stairway to both levels, as well as a handicap-accessible restroom and water fountain.  Additional updating and remodeling were completed in 2004.

       The Methodist Church continues to thrive and be in ministry for Jesus Christ in Lyons, and around the world through its support and service.  Lively Worship, Sunday School, Voice and Handbell Choirs, Methodist Women, Methodist Men, Youth Fellowships, and Bible Studies are among the many programs that indicate the life and spirit of Lyons United Methodist Church.