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Mill Creek Baptist Church

103 Main
McFarland, KS 66501
(785) 765-3778

Pastor: Charlie McClelland

In the early part of 1954, a group of people met to consider starting a Bible Sunday School where the word of God could be taught.

The Dr. F.J. Wagner building was the only place available at this time. Harold TenEych had a grocery in the south side of the building. However, Dr. Wagner offered to rent the north side for $15.00 a month. We accepted the offer and in May, a Sunday School was started with a small group of adults and children. The north part of the building had been a hardware store run by Ed Theel, and at one time, the south part had been the office of Dr. Wagner for many years, as well as, the post office and a drug store.

25 steel folding chairs were purchased, a piano was donated and taken for the scripture was Philippians 4:19 which read: “My God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Jesus Christ”. God did supply all the needs including sending a young man from Kansas State University, a veterinary student who had started to preach only three months before. So Jesse E. Hogue came and the group grew under his leading.

In September of 1954, they began contracting different churches about becoming an organized church. They voted to affiliate with the Southern Baptist and First Southern of Topeka agreed to help us organize. On October 1st, a group of pastors and deacons from the Kaw Valley Association met at McFarland and organized the Mill Creek Baptist Church with a membership of twenty-two. Pastor Hogue was ordained and served until July of 1955, when he resigned to go to school at Golden Gate Seminary. Through the years the church was served by different pastors. Being in the Kaw Valley Association benefited them and when they needed someone to fill the pulpit, they never failed us. They are also affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention.

Meanwhile, the grocery store in the south side of the building has closed, and Dr. Wagner offered to sell the entire building at a very low figure to be paid off like rent. The church accepted and began repairs on the balding. They bought more chairs, both large and small. Mr. Clyde Forinash made a table for the nursery. He also made and gave to the church the lectern which is still in use.

During the years, members have come and gone, many have passed on and others have been born. Wedding and funerals have taken place as well as baptisms and additions by letters. Through it all, the Lord has blessed us and we have never been in debt. The building has been paid for and we have made improvements. For the last forty-seven years Mill Creek Baptist Church has maintained services.