MCC Topeka was born in the heart of Liz Leech after a November, 1980 visit to a Wichita MCC service. "We have to have one of those in Topeka," she exclaimed on the return trip home.
MCC Topeka was founded in 1981 by Liz Leech, Maggie Mason, Cherl Dickeson, Roger Don Carlos and Maureen Appenfeller. The first worship service was held on February 28, 1981 at Garfield Park Shelter House with an attendance of 19.
March 1981 Rev. Liz Leech was appointed by UFMCC as "Worship Coordinator."
July 26-27 1981 First 10 members received, first Congregational meeting and Board of Directors elected
Sept 20, 1981 First Holy Union
Nov 10, 1981 First newsletter
Nov 26, 1981 First Thanksgiving Dinner for community. A tradition still carried on today
June 3, 1982 First fundraiser Garage Sale a MCC Topeka event today
1983 First delegate to District Conference MCC Topeka qualified as a Mission church; Gay AA meeting formed today we have numerous 12 Step groups meeting in our building
1985 Topeka Aids Project (TAP) organized; Church filed incorporation papers
Aug 24, 1986 First service in own building 2425 SE Indiana
Rev. Liz Leech 2425 SE Indiana
Dec 1986 Rev. Liz Leech terminates ministry
1987 Rev. Paul Evans begins as Pastor
1990 Became a chartered member UFMCC
1994 Mortgage burning ceremony
1999 Purchased new hymnals; MCC-Topeka named congregation of the week by Topeka Capitol Journal; Began Revisioning process; 2nd Sunday brunch initiated; applied and received grant from district to bring in a stewardship/leadership consultant
2001 20th Anniversary celebration
2003 Visit from Rev Elder Lillie Brock and given the charge to get out of the boat
2004 Toured Seabrook UCC
Feb 27, 2005 Final worship service at 2425 SE Indiana 54 in attendance.
Feb 05 May 05 Shared space with Seabrook UCC
Aug 2005 Pastor Paul Evans celebration of 40 years in the ministry
Rev. Paul Evans Our Current Building
Fall 2005 Purchased current building at 4425 SW 19th Street
Jan 2006 Progressive dinner with Plymouth Prebyterian Church and Universal Universalist Fellowship church
Feb 2006 Celebration of 19th anniversary of Pastor Paul and MCC Topeka
Jan 2007 Pastor Paul's retirement
Apr 2007 Rev. Patrick Rogers begins as Interim Pastor
History