Category Archives: Fort Scott

Area News, Fort Scott, History, Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes

Women’s Fight For Rights Presentation Explores: What Is a Hero?

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Linda O’Nelio Knoll, is a speaker, educator and historian in Pittsburg. Photo from the Humanities Kansas website.

Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes in Fort Scott will host “Army of the Amazons: Women’s Fight for Labor Rights in the Kansas Coalfields,” a presentation and discussion by Linda O’Nelio Knoll on Friday, February 10, 2023 at  2 p.m., at the Lowell Milken Center at 1 South Main Street.

“The presentation and books are free and there will be wine and cheese as well,” said Ronda Hassig, Funding Development Spokesperson at the LMC. “We would love to see you and you are welcome to bring a friend too!”
 

Members of the community are invited to attend the free program. Contact the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes at #620-223-1312 for more information. The program is made possible by Humanities Kansas.

Refreshments will be provided for those attending.

To view the poster of the event:

Email Community Book Read (5 × 7 in) (2)(1)

 

In December 1921, thousands of women in southeast Kansas rose up to fight injustice in the area coalfields.

These women were immigrants from Eastern European nations as well as Kansas born.

After a months-long strike by the coalminers, the women joined the cause. In the short term, their efforts crippled mine production for nearly a month; in the longer term, their continued activism impacted future statewide elections and national legislation.

This talk will share the stories of these women, christened the “Amazon Army” by The New York Times, and their fight for democracy and labor rights in Kansas’s coalfields.

This event will kick off the community reading of two books about Unsung Heroes “Cher Ami” and “Lorraine Hansberry.”

Free books are provided by Humanities Kansas and all are welcome to participate!

Both book discussions will happen at the Lowell Milken Center three weeks after the book is passed out

About Humanities Kansas

Humanities Kansas is an independent nonprofit spearheading a movement of ideas to empower the people of Kansas to strengthen their communities and our democracy. Since 1972, our pioneering programming, grants, and partnerships have documented and shared stories to spark conversations and generate insights. Together with our partners and supporters, we inspire all Kansans to draw on history, literature, ethics, and culture to enrich their lives and serve the communities and state we all proudly call home. Visit humanitieskansas.org.

 

 

About the Lowell Milken Center: The Lowell Milken Center is a non-profit 501 © (3) that works with students and educators within a range of diverse academic disciplines, to develop projects focused on unsung heroes. Once their projects are finished, we advocate the student’s unsung heroes by sharing them in our Hall of Unsung Heroes or our website so people all over the world discover their individual influence and obligation to take actions that improve the lives of others. The Hall of Unsung Heroes is proudly located in Southeast Kansas and showcases some of the top projects developed in collaboration with the Center.

 

 

 

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Fort Scott

Fort Friends Now Accepting New and Renewed Subscriptions for U.S. Flags

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Volunteers post a flag at a Fly the Flag subscriber’s business. Submitted photo.

 

The Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site Inc. is taking new subscriptions and renewals for their Fly the Flag project.  The project  provides homeowners and businesses, within the city limits of Fort Scott, the opportunity to fly the Stars and Stripes on five different flag holidays during 2023 without the hassle of purchasing, placing, and storing a flag and pole.  You don’t even have to remember the holiday!

For $37 annually, the Friends will install a 3’x5′ flag on a 12 foot staff at your home or business on each of the following Flag Holidays :

Memorial Day, May 29th

Flag Day, June 14th

Fourth of July, July 4th

Labor Day, September 4th

Veteran’s Day, November 11th

 

Agreements for new subscriptions can be obtained at the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce or can be requested by phone or text. Contact Kelley Collins at 417-684-2484.  Renewals notices are being mailed/e-mailed to 2022 subscribers. Both new agreements and renewals must be returned by March 31, 2023.

 

All proceeds support programs at Fort Scott National Historic Site including Symbols of Sacrifice, Candlelight Tour, and other special programs including the 2023 Fort Scott performance of “Wahzhazhe”: The Story of the Osage People, July 21 and 22.

 

Show your patriotism and help our local National Park by lining the streets  of Fort Scott with our nation’s symbol!

 

The Fly the Flag project is a yearly project sponsored by the Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site.  Once signed up, you will receive the option to renew annually.

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Business, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Chamber Coffee at Lyons Realty Group

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ANNOUNCING THIS WEEK’S
CHAMBER COFFEE
Join us for Chamber Coffee hosted by
Lyons Realty Group
Thursday, February 9th
8am
8 E. Wall Street
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites members and guests to a Chamber Coffee event this Thursday, February 9th at 8 a.m. hosted by Lyons Realty Group, 8 E. Wall Street.Coffee, juice, and light refreshments will be served in addition to a door prize drawing.
Lyons Realty Group is celebrating two successful years representing buyers and sellers of commercial, residential, and agricultural properties. They are excited to continue their high level of community involvement and support of other local businesses.
The Chamber encourages everyone to come out and learn more about this business located in the Downtown Historic District. Contact the Chamber of Commerce at (620) 223-3566 for more information.
Click here to check out their Facebook page!
Click here to view their website!
We hope to see you there!
Thank you to our Chamber Champion members
shown below!
FORT SCOTT AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
620-223-3566
‌
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701
Business, Food, Fort Scott

110 S. Main Mercantile Reopens Feb. 10

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Kathy and Tracy Dancer in their shop, 110 South Main Mercantile and Market. Submitted photo.
Kathy and Tracy  Dancer are reopening their new business venture, 110 South Main Mercantile and Market, on Feb 10. The business is located in the former Scottish Rite Temple.
To view a prior story on this business:
The store will be open on Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The inside of the 110 South Main Mercantile and Market. Submitted photo.
  “The store started as a pop-up in the old Scottish Rite building in December and will be reopening with limited hours during February and March,” she said.
“We have about a dozen local artisans and craftspeople with items for sale in the market,” she said.  “There are some great handmade home decor items, glass art, locally sourced and knitted Shetland wool scarves and shawls, woodcraft products such as: crosses, charcuterie boards, framed art and furniture made from reclaimed wood.  We will be adding several additional market vendors in February and March as we expand the space.”
In addition to market vendors, Kathy sources items for the mercantile portion of the shop from around the U.S. with a focus on small businesses in Kansas and the Midwest.
“We have candles, jewelry, bath products, beard balms, soaps, home decor, caramels, puzzles, and baking mixes made in Kansas,” she said.  “Some of the companies we are working with include Kansas City Caramels, Kansas City Canning Company, Prairie Fire, Madame Scodioli, Sunflower Food Co, Thompson’s Handmade, and Rural Pearl Art.”
The following are photos of some of the mercantile that will be for sell.
They will also have for sale products from outside of Kansas.
“We will be offering coffee from Modest Coffee, soup mixes from Anderson House, baking mixes from Finding Home Farms, and treats from Rolling Pin Bakery and Bear Creek Candy, Kathy said.  “We have expanded our offering of craft drink mixes and cocktail accessories.  We also have a selection of children’s books and wooden puzzles.”
 “It really is a great variety of products for the entire family and all ages,” she said.
She is currently enjoying some of the items she sells at home.
“Right now with the cool weather, I am enjoying the Anderson House soup mixes, the Shetland wool scarves from Black Dog Farms, and the seasonal home decor from 2 Southern Ladies,” she said.
A Cafe on the Horizon
The future site of the Cohn’s Cafe Shoppe is the kitchen area of the former Scottish Rite Temple. Submitted photo.
“We have also started the process to license a restaurant in the space,” she said.
The restaurant will be named Cohn’s Cafe.
” The cafe space was Cohn’s Coffee Shoppe from 1926-1948, so we felt it was a great way to embrace the history of the space while adding a dining option for the community,” she said.  “The cafe will be open sometime this spring.”
In addition the cafe will have a selection of breakfast and lunch items, coffee, specialty drinks and desserts.
 “We are testing menu items during February, but we hope to offer a selection of quiches, scones, waffles, crepes, sandwiches, and soups,” she said. “There will also be a rotating selection of classics such as pot roast, meatloaf, and chicken and dumplings.”
People can follow the mercantile’s  progress on Facebook or Instagram at @110s
Business, Entertainment, Food, Fort Scott

Marsha’s Deli Closed For Updating Feb. 6-11

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Brian Lancaster, owner of Marsha’s Deli.

A local eatery known for its’ generous portions, is closed for some aesthetic improvement to the dining area.

“We will be closed February 6-11,” Brian Lancaster, owner, said.

H2 Painting LLC  will be painting the ceilings and walls.

“We are wanting to update and improve our dining room area,” Lancaster said.  “We are planning to update flooring and the kitchen area at a later date.”

The deli’s owner,  Marsha Lancaster, died on September 19, 2021, and on October 13, 2021 , her siblings became the owners of her decades-running restaurant.

Marsha’s Deli is located at 6 W. 18th Street in Fort Scott.

In July 2022, Marsha’s nephew, Brian Lancaster assumed ownership of the deli.

Brian Lancaster Assumes Ownership of Marsha’s Deli

Also last year, a Marsha Fest was started in memory of  Marsha Lancaster.

 

Marsha Fest Is March 5: Celebrating Her Life

This year’s  Marsha Fest is Saturday March 4, 2023
 from 8 to- 10 PM at the Liberty Theater, 113 S. Main.

Tickets are $35.

Poster from the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce website.

To learn more about Marsha:

Obituary of Marsha Lancaster

Fort Scott, Government

Agenda for FS City Commission on Feb. 7

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NOTICE OF AND AGENDA FOR MEETING

OF FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION
CITY HALL COMMISSION MEETING ROOM

123 SOUTH MAIN STREET

February 7, 2023
6:00 P.M.

 

   Roll Call:

  1.       J. Jones     T. Van Hoecke    E. Woellhof     K. Harrington     M. Wells
  2.      Flag Salute:
  • Invocation: Led by: M. Wells
  1. Consent Agenda:
  2. Approval of minutes of the regular meeting of January 24, 2023.

 

  1. Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1329-A totaling $927,968.03

 

  1. Request to Pay – De Lage Landen Public Finance, LLC – $17,641.00

Golf Cart Rental Fee

 

  1. L. G. Barcus and Sons, Inc. – $84,390.97 – Dam Improvements

 

  1. Request to Pay – Earles Engineering – $33,084.08
  2.  1/6/2023 – City Engineer Monthly Fee – $4,120.00
  3.   1/9/2023 – S. Horton and W. 6th – Preliminary 50% – $10,350.00
  4.   1/9/2023 – System Designs Addenda phase II – $7,537.50 and

Phase III – $2,040.00

  1. 1/9/2023 – 2022 Sanitary Sewer Project – Final 90% – $7,250.00

and Bidding 10% – $450.00

  1.   1/9/2023 – South Industrial Park Waterline – Final – $590.00
  2.   1/9/2023 – GO Car Wash MEP Plan Review – Jason Dickman –

$568.00

  1. 1/9/2023 – Cooper Street Inspection – Trever Stoppel – $58.50

And Cylinder Breaks – $120.00

 

  1. Request to Pay – Earles Engineering Change Order No. 2 –

$282,383.00 – 17th & Eddy Storm Water – Remobilization fees due to substantial delays in utility relocations.

 

  1. Judy’s Fuel & Oil LLC – $26,520.69 – Unleaded Gasoline

 

  1.   Public Comment:

Sign up required.  Comments on any topic not on agenda and limited to five (5) minutes per person, at Commission discretion.

 

 

 

 

 

  1.  Old Business:  

 

  1. Consideration to remove “Interim” from Interim City Manager’s title

 

  1. B. Consideration of Splash Pad location

 

 

VII.      Appearances:

 

  1. Pat Bishop – Fort Scott Land Bank Manager- Introduction and Annual Report for the Commission.

 

  1. Shane Lamb and Susan Galemore/SEKEDC

 

Consideration of Resolution No. 6-2023                                                             A RESOLUTION TO SUPPORT KANSAS HOUSING INVESTORS TAX CREDIT APPLICATION BY RURAL REDEVELOPMENT GROUP LLC FOR DEVELOPMENT OF RENTAL HOUSING LOCATED AT 736 S. HEYLMAN, FORT SCOTT, KANSAS.

  1. C. Justin Pergont regarding the Van Fossen Apartment Project

 

  1. Consideration of Resolution No. 4-2023

A RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT FOR THE SUBMISSION OF THE MODERATE-INCOME HOUSING GRANT APPLICATION FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF CERTAIN HOUSING WITHIN THE CITY OF FORT SCOTT, KANSAS TO ACCOMPANY THE GRANT APPLICATION TO THE KANSAS HOUSING RESOURCES CORPORATION

 

  1.    Consideration of Resolution No. 5-2023

A RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF A RURAL HOUSING INCENTIVE DISTRICT (RHID) AND AN INDUSTRIAL REVENUE BOND (IRB) ISSUE IN SUPPORT OF THE VAN FOSSEN APARTMENTS PROJECT TO BE LOCATED AT 19 S. MAIN AND 23 S. MAIN IN DOWNTOWN FORT SCOTT, KANSAS

 

  1. Patrick Wood

 

  1. Stacy Wood – Advisory Boards

 

 

 

 

VIII.     Public Hearing:

 

  1. Petitioner Robert Lembcke – 2010 E. 3rd Street, Fort Scott

Vacate the roadway easement on Barteau Street between 3rd and 4th Streets – Property described as: APPROXIMATELY 300’ x 60’ OF BARTEAU STREET LYING BETWEEN LOTS 1-13 BLOCK 16 AND LOTS 2-14 BLOCK 17 MCMILLAN’S ADDITION TO THE CITY OF FORT SCOTT KANSAS.

 

 

  1.  New Business:
  2. Consideration to publish for Request for Proposals – Ground Lease – Scott Flater
  3. Consideration to go out for bids – 2023 Mowing Season – Norm Nation
  4. Consideration to apply for Grant Project for Automatic External Defibrillator to be placed at City Hall, Buck Run, Fire Department, Airport, Golf Course, Public Works, and Memorial Hall – Dave Bruner
  5. Consideration to apply for an Assistance to Firefighters Grant to replace the Exhaust Removal Systems within truck bay areas of Fire Station 1 and Fire Station 2 – Dave Bruner
  6. Cape Seal for 2023
  7. Brick Crew Justification
  8. Reports and Comments:
  9. Interim City Manager Comments:
  10. RenoDry Report Regarding Moisture Control at Memorial Hall
  11. School Crosswalk Light on National Ave.
  12. Sidewalk and Curb Reimbursement Program
  13. Demolition Budget
  14. Audio-Visual Equipment for Commission Room

 

  1. Engineering Comments: Update included.

 

  1. Commissioners Comments:
  2. Jones –
  3. VanHoecke –
  4. Woellhof –
  5. Harrington –
  6. Wells –

 

  1. City Attorney Comments:

 

  1. Executive Session – If requested, (please follow script in all motions for Executive Sessions)

 

XII.         Adjournment:

Fort Scott, Government

Fort Scott City Commission Minutes of Jan. 24

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Minutes of January 24th, 2023                                Regular Meeting

 

The regular meeting of the Fort Scott City Commission was held January 24th, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Commission Meeting Room at City Hall, 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas.

 

ROLL CALL:

Commissioners J. Jones, T. Van Hoecke, E. Woellhof were present with Mayor M. Wells.  Commissioner K. Harrington was absent.

 

FLAG SALUTE AND INVOCATION:  T. VanHoecke, said a prayer asking God for guidance for the City, our Government and City officials.

 

AUDIENCE IN ATTENDANCE:  Brad Matkin, Interim City Manager, Travis Shelton, Police Chief, Dave Bruner, Fire Chief, Jason Dickman, City Engineer, Thomas Russell, Codes Enforcement Technician, Seth Simpson, Airport Director, Doug Guns, Sports Facilities Director, Bob Farmer, City Attorney, Lisa Lewis, City Clerk, Eddie Townley, Michael Buller, Steve Anthony, Justin Pregont, and Michael Hoyt.

 

APPROVAL OF AGENDA:  M. Wells asked if anyone had additional items to add to the agenda for this meeting. L. Lewis stated that the agenda did need to be approved due to amendments made to the published agenda on January 20th, 2023.  J. Jones motioned to approve the January 24th, 2023, amended agenda.  T. VanHoecke seconded. All voted aye.

 

APPROVED THE JANUARY 24, 2023, AMENDED AGENDA.

 

Continue reading Fort Scott City Commission Minutes of Jan. 24 →

Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

What’s Happening in Fort Scott! February 2nd Weekly Newsletter

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What’s Happening in Fort Scott!

February 2nd Weekly Newsletter
love_wood.jpg

UPCOMING CALENDAR OF EVENTS

________________

Fort Scott National Historic Site

Daily Tours: 10am & 1pm

Click this link: The Artificers

Upcoming pottery class/workshop

schedule, something for all ages!

February Special at Hedgehog.INK! Buy 2 Get 1 Free Romance Books!

2/2 ~ Community Involvement Fair by Fort Scott Forward, Ellis Fine Arts Center, 5-6:30pm, 15 local nonprofits will have booths for anyone interested to come learn about ways you can volunteer in our community. Click here for FB event.

2/2 ~ BINGO hosted by American Legion, Memorial Hall, doors open 6pm, BINGO starts at 7pm, American Legion will have concessions and be serving nachos.

2/3 ~ FSHS Basketball at Home vs. Parsons, V/JV/F games start at 4:30pm

2/4 ~ First Saturday Story Time @ Hedgehog.INK! Book Store, 10:30am.

2/4-5 ~ FS Youth Basketball Tourn, 3rd-6th grade boys and girls. Contact 620-423-6656 to sign up.

2/4 ~ 4th Annual All You Can Eat Pancake Fundraiser by First Southern Baptist Church (across from Briggs), 8am-2pm, click here for more info!

2/6-7 ~ SEK Day on the Hill-Breakfast with Legislators, click here for more info.

2/8 ~ Better in Bourbon Boutique, 1-year Anniversary Customer Appreciation Event, 12pm to 6pm, giveaways, deals & Crooner’s Cakery treats. Click here for FB event.

2/8 ~ Dare to Dream Women’s Entrepreneurship event, Unique Challenges of a Small Business, 5-7pm, HBCAT office, FREE but click here to RSVP.

2/8 ~ The Artificers Pottery Crash Course, age 17+, 6-9pm, click here to register.

2/9 ~ Chamber Coffee hosted by Lyons Realty Group, 8 E. Wall St., 8am

2/9 ~ Gorilla Gathering Bourbon County, 6pm, registration is required, click here for more info.

2/10 ~ The Pigeon and the Dreamer, Lowell Milken Center of Unsung Heroes, 2-3pm,

click here for more info.

2/10-11 ~ Love Local Chocolate Crawl, Downtown & Around, Shopping & Tasting Event.

2/10 ~ Common Ground Live Music Event featuring Stephan Moses,7-8pm,

click here for more info.

2/11 ~ The Artificers classes: Coffee & Clay 9am-12pm, Cocktail & Clay 6-9pm, click here to register.

2/11 ~ The Beauty Lounge Paint & Sip Galentine’s Event, 2:30pm, click here for FB event.

2/11 ~ Cupid’s Corner at Buck Run Community Center, pre-school thru 5th grade, $1.00 for each participant. Click here for more info.

2/11 ~ February Makers Market, Bourbon County Fairgrounds, 10am-3pm, click here for more info.

2/11 ~ Corporate Pinewood Derby by Boy Scouts Pack 114, Memorial Hall, 6pm, click here for info.

2/15 ~ The Artificers Pottery Class: Valentine’s Day “Ghost” Class, age 21+, 6-9pm, click here to register.

2/16 ~ Chamber Coffee hosted by Kiwanis, 8am, will be held at the First Presbyterian Church.

2/17-18 ~ Prairie Troubadour Symposium, most events held at The River Room, click here.

2/17 ~ Daddy Daughter Dance Battle at Buck Run Community Center, $5/pre-registration for couple, $2.50 per additional child, $8/at the door for couple, $4 per additional child.

Click here for more info.

2/17 ~ REZA- World Class Touring Illusionist, FSCC in the Ellis Building, 7-9pm,

click here for more info and to order tickets!

2/18 ~ VFW Post 1165 – 8 Ball Pool Tournament, 12-3pm, click here for more info.

2/18 ~ The Artificers Pottery Class: Valentine’s Day “Ghost” Class, age 21+, 6-9pm, click here to register.

Save the Date!

2/21 ~ Kiwanis Drive-thru Pancake Feed, tickets are $5, 11am-1:30pm and 4-6:30pm at the First United Methodist Church.

2/22 ~ The Artificers Pottery Crash Course, age 17+, 6-9pm, click here to register.

2/24 ~ Knights of Columbus Annual Fish Fry, Kennedy Gym 5-7pm, 6 Fridays in a row.

2/25 ~ Kansas Rocks Recreation Park Annual Frostbite Event, ksrockspark.com

3/4 ~ 2nd Annual Marsha Fest at the Liberty Theater, 8-10pm, click here for more info.

_________

SHOPPING ~ SUPPORT LOCAL!

Boutiques-Antiques-Flea Markets & more!

Click here for Chamber member

specialty shopping & other retail in

Downtown & other areas of the community.
Fort Scott Area
Chamber of Commerce
620-223-3566
In This Issue

Calendar of Events

Special Event Features

THANK YOU Chamber Champion members!!
Chamber Highlights
Click here for our
Membership Directory.
We THANK our members for their support! Interested in joining the Chamber?
Click here for info.
Thinking of doing business in or relocating to Fort Scott?
Contact us for a relocation packet, information on grants & incentives, and more!
Seeking a job/career?
We post a Job of the Day daily on our Facebook page, distribute a monthly job openings flyer, and post jobs on our website.
Many opportunities available!
Housing needs?
Click here for a listing of our Chamber member realtors.
Click here for our rental listing.

Hedgehog.INK! February Special!

Pancake Feed, Silent Auction & Bake Sale this Saturday by Chamber member First Southern Baptist Church

The Chamber is now taking registrations for the 2023 class of LEAD Bourbon County! Click here for the registration form.

Dare to Dream Women’s Entrepreneurship event!

Wed., Feb. 8th, free but register here.

Downtown Event: Love Local Chocolate Crawl!

REZA World Class Touring Illusionist!

Link to buy tickets here.
…
Fort Scott, Fort Scott Police Department

Pickert Selected as Fort Scott Chief of Police

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Fort Scott Police Captain Jason Pickert has been promoted to the Chief of Police, according to a press release from the city manager on Wednesday.

“It is with great pleasure that I announce Jason Pickert as the new Chief of Police for the City of Fort Scott” said Interim Fort Scott City Manager Brad Matkin. “Pickert has been with the Fort Scott Police Department for the last 18 years working side by side, as Police Captain, with retiring Police Chief Travis Shelton for the last four years.”

 

Pickert started his career with the Fort Scott Police Department in 2004 after graduating from the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center in 2005, according to a press release from Matkin.

He was a patrol office from 2004 to 2006 before taking the role of detective in the fall of 2006, serving in that role for two years.

Pickert was then promoted to Detective Sergeant in March of 2008 and served in this role for over ten years before being promoted to Captain in December of 2018.

Among the many other certificates and continued education classes, Pickert graduated with a Certified Public Manager certificate in 2017 from the University of Kansas.

“We had some very good candidates, and I was very impressed with each of the candidates we interviewed,” Matkin said. “The interview panel and I feel Jason Pickert is the one that stood out among the rest and will do a great job.”

Brad Matkin. Submitted photo.

“Pickert is a strong leader, decision maker, and a valuable resource,” Matkin said. “I look forward to working more closely with Jason and am excited to see what the future holds for the staff and the department.”

 

Pickert will take over the Chief of Police role on March 1st, 2023.

Current Fort Scott Chief of Police Travis Shelton will be retiring at the end of February.

Fort Scott Police Chief Travis Shelton. Submitted photo.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Church news, Fort Scott

Community Christian Church Celebrates 50 Years

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Community Christian Church.,1919 S. Horton.
A local congregation is celebrating 50 years in the community.
Community Christian Church met for the first time on January 21, 1973.
“It was at the (Scottview Apartments) high rise,” Jerry Witt, who is serving on the planning committee for the anniversary celebration, said. “We were going to meet in homes but the phone rang off the hook that week and we knew we’d have too many for something like that.”

 

“Sixty-three people attended that first meeting,” he said. “It has never been below that number since. On charter Sunday, 111 people were in attendance and 70 of those placed their membership.”

In the earliest days, finding a place to meet was a challenge.

They met in the band room at the middle school, at Fort Scott Community College, at the high rise apartment complex, and at the old 4-H Building.

As the congregation grew, a more permanent and larger location was necessary.

The ground breaking of Community Christian Church in 1973. Submitted photo.

Once they were able to start building the church facility, it was able to be purchased because all seven leaders: Max Hayden, Ron Billiard, Bill Douglas, Richard Hixon, Jerry Witt, Tom Armstrong,  and Bill Underkofler put their homes up as collateral for the build.

The original church building for Community Christian Church. Submitted photo.

Leon Weece was the only paid staff for at least a year, and volunteers cleaned the church.

The original sanctuary of Community Christian Church, 1973. Submitted photo

Currently they have six ministry staff, two administration staff,  and two janitorial staff members, with one intern.

The Mission

The mission of the first congregation was to start a fundamental, Bible-based Christian church, and there have been three mission statements in the church history.

The current one is “We are a community who loves Jesus, who want to see Jesus loved by our community.”

“We have changed the wording to become more modern over time but we have always stuck to those three basic missions of God, his plan, and his people.” said Karen Billiard, also on the anniversary committee.

The Anniversary Committee

The 50 year planning committee has nine people, and five were present that first service: Sharon Campbell, Karen Billiard, Judy and Jerry Witt, and Robin Billiard-Hartman.

Added to the 2023 anniversary committee are Rita Emmerson, and Billie Jo and Alan Drake, who all came to the newly formed church early in its history, along with Delynn Abati, who has attended Community since 1997.

An aerial view of Community Christian Church in 2023. Submitted photo.

 

The Current Congregation

Currently there are nearly 500 people attending Community Christian.

Members of the anniversary committee stated their reasons they attend the church:

“The love our church family has for each other,” said Robin Hartman.

“Knowing that we are a Bible-based church,” said Billie Jo Drake.

“The fellowship and care each person has for every other,” Billiard said.

CCC is a mission-giving church, increasing outreach of the congregants.

From the inception of the church, they pledged 10% of all income to missions, according to information from the committee. That number has grown to the 18% currently given to missions every month.

Plans for the 50th Anniversary

There will be one extended service on Sunday, February 12, which is Community Christian Church’s Charter Sunday, beginning at 9 a.m. that will highlight and recreate parts of the last 50 years.

Leon Weece, the church’s first minister, will preach. Additionally, there will be testimonies from some of the charter members and Timothys; people the church has sent out to serve in ministries throughout the world.

There will be a reception directly following the service, which will have a microphone set up for anyone wanting to share memories of their days at CCC.

On the Horizon

The church is currently remodeling the north wing of the facility to be a more inviting and accommodating space for the youth group. They are about 50% done with the remodel.

Services

The service times of the church:  9 a.m. and 11 a.m. every Sunday, with a study hour in between.

They also have programming for students pre-K to 12th grade from 6 to 8 p.m. every Wednesday evening, during the school year.

The church is located at 1919 S. Horton, Fort Scott.

For more information, phone 620.223.1500 or view their Facebook page.