Annual Report to the American Missionary Association
Creator: Adair, Samuel Lyle, 1811-1898
Date: 1858
This draft report, written by Samuel L. Adair, covers the year 1857 and also describes the organization of the Congregational Church in Osawatomie, Kansas Territory. Samuel L. Adair was preaching at a number of rural churches in the area. It reports on membership, attendance, and other religious activities. He also mentions the activities of other denominations in the area.

Anton T. Boisen papers
Creator: Boisen, Anton T. (Anton Theophilus), 1876-1965
Date: 1915 - 1965 (bulk 1930s-1940s)
These papers include correspondence with Professor Seward Hiltner of Princeton Theological School, hand-illustrated poetry written by various individuals, newsletters from the Elgin State Hospital, manuscripts, and course lectures. Boisen spent time in Wabaunsee, Kansas while surveying rural churches, including the Congregational Church. Boisen was secretary of the Wabaunsee Neighborhood Association and wrote about the "Health Conditions in the Wabaunsee Community." Also included are annual reports (1933-1935) to the directors of the Chicago Council for the Clinical Training of Theological Students which include several photographs of students at the Elgin State Hospital, where Boisen was the chaplain from 1932-1954.

Art Work on Eastern Kansas
Creator: Western Photogravure Company
Date: 1900
This pictorial book gives a brief overview of eastern Kansas. This is part six of twelve. The Blue River in Manhattan, the Montgomery County courthouse in Independence, and a street scene in Fort Scott are some of the featured photographs.

Art Work on Eastern Kansas
Creator: Western Photogravure Company
Date: 1900
This pictorial book gives a brief overview of eastern Kansas. This is part ten of twelve. Views of the Melan Arch Bridge in Topeka, Plymouth Congregational Church in Lawrence, Independence High School, and the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad depot in Parsons are some of the featured photographs.

Baptismal fount, Topeka, Kansas
Date: 1940s
This is a photo of the baptismal fount that was used at Seaman Congregational Church, Topeka, Kansas. The fount was built by George P. Crippen.

Bowman room at Central Congregtional Church, Topeka, Kansas
Creator: Strickrott, John F.
Date: Between 1900 and 1905
This photo shows an interior view of the Bowman room at Central Congregational Church, 1248 SW Buchanan, Topeka, Kansas

C. G. Dick to Samuel L. Adair
Creator: Dick, Campbell Graham
Date: April 21, 1857
Campbell G. Dick was Reverend Adair's brother-in-law, and wrote from his home in Marshall, Highland County, Ohio, that he supported the American Missionary Association as it promoted Christianity, but was pessimistic about the chances for Kansas Territory entering the Union as a free state. He wrote that the Democratic party was controlled by the south, and asked Adair to inform him if free state men intended to vote in the elections called by the "Bogus Legislature."

Central Congregational Church, Topeka, Kansas
Date: Between 1900 and 1905
This photo shows children participating in a Sunday school bake sale, Central Congregational Church, Topeka, Kansas.

Central Congregational Church, Topeka, Kansas
Date: Between 1900 and 1905
This photo shows children and adults at the entrance to the Bowman room, Central Congregational Church, 1248 SW Buchanan, Topeka, Kansas. Charles Sheldon, pastor, operated a kindergarten at the church.

Central Congregational Church, Topeka, Kansas
Date: Between 1905 and 1910
This is an exterior view of Central Congregational Church, 1248 SW Buchanan, Topeka, Kansas. This is where Reverend Charles Sheldon first read his book In His Steps.

Central Congregational Church and Charles M. Sheldon Memorial Community House in Topeka, Kansas
Creator: Crabb, John A., 1869-1961
Date: December 11, 1938
This is a photograph of the Central Congregational Church and Charles M. Sheldon Memorial Community House located at 1248 SW Buchanan in Topeka, Kansas. Dr. John A. Crabb, Cora J. Crabb, Ray J. Crabb, Herbert Crabb, and Emma B. Crabb presented the photograph to the church on its 50th anniversary. The Crabb family joined the church on April 5, 1903.

Central Congregational Church bulletins
Date: 1890-1981
These are bulletins from the Central Congregational Church in Topeka, Kansas, include hymns, prayers, church notes, activities, and order of services.

Central Congregational Church directory of members
Creator: Central Congregational Church (Topeka, Kan.)
Date: 1894-1915
This is a directory of members of the Central Congregational Church in Topeka, Kansas, containing the names and addresses of members, including a directory of officers and organizations, such as the Mary Sheldon Missionary Society and Altruist Club. Financial reports and receipts, as recorded by the treasurer, and membership statistics, such as marriages and deaths, are included.

Central Congregational Church in Topeka, Kansas
Creator: M. L. Zercher Book and Stationery Company
Date: 1897
This is a postcard showing the Central Congregational Church located at 1248 SW Buchanan in Topeka, Kansas. The photograph was taken after the Bowman Memorial addition was built in 1897. The shed on the west was used for Sunday School classes. The main entrance in this photograph would have come into the auditorium which is now the north balcony of the church.

Central Congregational Church play programs
Date: 1910-1947
These are programs for plays presented by the Central Congregational Church in Topeka, Kansas, including In His Steps, The High Calling, Betty Lee's Adventure, Fifty-Fifty, Today and Tomorrow, The Silent Harp, and Investments in Men.

Central Congregational Church yearbooks
Date: 1916-1925
These are yearbooks of the Central Congregational Church in Topeka, Kansas, containing the names and addresses of members and a directory of officers and organizations, such as the Mary Sheldon Missionary Society and Altruist Club. Financial reports and receipts, as recorded by the treasurer, and membership statistics, including marriages and deaths, are included.

Charles (Chick) Gordon and Bonnie Benson Gordon on their wedding day in Topeka, Kansas
Date: March 24, 1951
This is a photograph of Charles (Chick) Gordon and Bonnie Benson Gordon on their wedding day at the First Congregational Church in Topeka, Kansas.

Charles (Chick) Gordon and Bonnie Benson Gordon on their wedding day in Topeka, Kansas
Date: March 24, 1951
This is a photograph showing Charles (Chick) Gordon and Bonnie Benson Gordon on their wedding day at the First Congregational Church in Topeka, Kansas. People in the photograph are (left to right) Clarence Gordon, Edna Gordon, Charles (Chick) Gordon, Bonnie Benson Gordon, Elva Benson and Merle Benson.

Charles M. Sheldon to Theodore W. Peers
Creator: Sheldon, Charles Monroe, 1857-1946
Date: December 25, 1888
Charles M. Sheldon wrote to the Chairman of Trustees of the Central Congregational Church, Theodore W. Peers, accepting the position of pastor.

Charles Monroe Sheldon
Creator: Leonard, J. H.
Date: Between 1890 and 1899
This is a portrait of Reverend Charles Monroe Sheldon, pastor of Central Congregational Church, Topeka, Kansas. In the fall of 1896, Reverend Sheldon introduced a sermon story entitled "In His Steps or What Jesus Would Do." It was published in a weekly religious magazine from Chicago, and the response from readers was incredible and soon it was out in book form. Sales were spectacular. Some 20 other publishers discovered the story as it appeared serially and they too offered it in book form, without compensation to Sheldon since the stories were never copyrighted. In addition to his book, Sheldon started Tennesseetown kindergarten for African-American children.

Charles Monroe Sheldon
Date: Between 1900 and 1910
This is a photograph of Rev. Charles Monroe Sheldon, pastor of Central Congregational Church in Topeka, Kansas. He organized the Tennessee Town Kindergarten, which is the first black kindergarten west of the Mississippi River. Rev. Sheldon is best known for his novel "In His Steps" or "What Would Jesus Do?"

Charles Monroe Sheldon
Date: Between 1895 and 1899
This is a photograph of a sketch of Reverend Charles Monroe Sheldon, pastor of Central Congregational Church, Topeka, Kansas. In the fall of 1896, Reverend Sheldon introduced a sermon story entitled "In His Steps or What Jesus Would Do." It was published in a weekly religious magazine from Chicago and the response from readers was incredible. Soon it was out in book form. Sales were spectacular. Some twenty other publishers discovered the story as it appeared serially and they too offered it in book form, without compensation to Sheldon since the stories were never copyrighted. In addition to his book, Sheldon started Tennesseetown kindergarten for African-American children in Topeka, Kansas.

Charles Monroe Sheldon
Date: Between 1900 and 1920
Charles Monroe Sheldon, pastor of Central Congregational Church in Topeka, Kansas, organized the first Black kindergarten west of the Mississippi River. It was known as the Tennesseetown Kindergarten. He is best known for his novel "In His Steps" or "What Would Jesus Do?"

Charles Monroe Sheldon
Creator: Samarjian's Studio
Date: Between 1900 and 1910
This is a photograph of Rev. Charles Monroe Sheldon, pastor of Central Congregational Church in Topeka, Kansas. He organized the Tennessee Town Kindergarten, which is the first black kindergarten west of the Mississippi River. Rev. Sheldon is best known for his novel "In His Steps" or "What Would Jesus Do?"

Charles Monroe Sheldon
Creator: Clark, E. J.
Date: 1900
This is a photograph of Rev. Charles Monroe Sheldon, pastor of Central Congregational Church in Topeka, Kansas. He organized the Tennessee Town Kindergarten, which is the first black kindergarten west of the Mississippi River. Rev. Sheldon is best known for his novel "In His Steps" or "What Would Jesus Do?"