St. Paul's, the Highest Episcopal Church in Kansas Photo by: Gennifer Golden House -------------------- On the eleventh day of February, 1890, The Reverend Robert Rhames came to Goodland to hold the first Episcopal Church service. Father Rhames was a general missionary for the Northwest Kansas region. The town of Goodland had been organized a mere three years previously. This was a most important day for the congregation gathered to hear Father Rhames, for it marked the beginning of a church in Goodland that has been active for one hundred and eight years.  On that day St. Paul's also received the name it has borne for over a century. On February 8, 1925, a meeting with Bishop Mize present was held. It was voted that the committee proceed immediately with plans for the erection of a new church building. Three women (Mrs. Fike, Mrs. Chambers and Mrs. Smith) were appointed as a committee to solicit subscriptions for the project. During this period the women of the church would bake donuts on Saturday mornings and sell them door-to-door and to the large crowds gathered to watch the streets being paved with bricks in the business district. The story is also told of regular Saturday night poker games during this period participated in by Dr. Francis H. Smith, a dentist and member of the church. When Dr. Smith felt the pot was big enough, he would take out a handful of money, put it in a can by his side, and say, "This is for the Church". The total was deposited in the Building Fund on Monday as a "Donation from the Men's Club" (although few of the poker players were Episcopalians) along with "Donations from the Women's Guild" from selling donuts. The building was constructed, amidst loud vocal eruptions. When Cook & Ransom, the paving firm from Kansas City who had the street contract in Goodland, were contacted about bricks, they donated a whole freight car load of bricks to the church as they had been so impressed with the industrious church women. (Mr. Ransom was also an Episcopalian.) It is noteworthy that these were not ordinary building bricks, but paving bricks like were being used in the streets. And a complete car load provided many more than were needed for just the building, so they were used rather extravagantly throughout the building. On March 26, 1926, the cornerstone for the new structure was laid. The Venerable Charles E. Coles, archdeacon of the District of Salina, had charge of the ceremony, assisted by The Reverend William Barnes, deacon, who was in charge of St. Paul's. The cornerstone was laid by Dr. Francis H. Smith, warden. On the stone, following the name of the church, are the words, "Organized 1890, Erected 1925". A sealed box was placed in the cornerstone containing a copy of the Prayer Book, several church papers, a copy of the Western Kansas News of March 11, 1926, and a picture of the old church building. The dream of twenty five years had come true. St. Paul's could now boast of one of the finest church structures in Kansas and of course still the "Highest" Episcopal Church in Kansas. The building, which cost $17,000 to complete, stands as a symbol of man's love, faith and devotion to Christ. However, when the building was complete, Bishop Mize warned the members that "it is easier to build a church than to fill one". Rector in Charge: Rev. C. Wm. Schneider Saturday Evening Services: 5:00 pm For more information on St. Paul's Episcopal Church, please contact 785-899-2115