Let our Big Red Doors welcome you in Junction City!
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The first sermon ever preached in Junction City, by any minister, was delivered by the Rev. M.O. Preston, an Episcopal priest. The first regular Episcopal services were held in Junction City by the Rev. David Clarkson, the first post chaplain at Fort Riley, who organized St. John’s Parish in 1859, two years before Kansas was admitted into the union. He was succeeded by the Rev. George D. Henderson, who came to the area as a missionary. He was soon appointed chaplain at Fort Riley. |
| The young congregation was eager to build it’s own church. Through the endeavors of Chaplain Clarkson, Lt. J.E.B. Stuart (later Major General of the Confederate Army) and other officers of the Fort cooperated with local people, among them Colonel McClure and a young man by the name of James Harvey, who later became the 4th Governor of Kansas, built the stone gothic church. |  |
A lot was secured and the building of the stone church began. Most of the $1,500 used was raised among officers at Fort Riley. Construction difficulties occurred as the roof fell in during construction and the Civil War interrupted final construction. In the mid-1860’s, The Rev. Charles Reynolds, chaplain at Fort Riley officiated often at the parish, and served the parish as it’s rector upon his retirement from the chaplaincy. Reynolds was the first rector to live in the completed rectory (parish house) in 1883. The Right Reverend Thomas H. Vail, First Bishop of Kansas, consecrated the Junction City parish.
In 1866, monetary help was offered by the Church of the Covenant in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In addition to cash funds, they gave a triple memorial window commemorating their first Rector, The Rev. Dudley Atkins Tyng, which still stands above the high Altar today. Tyng inspired the well known hymn Stand up, stand up for Jesus (Hymn #561, 1982 Hymnal). His good friend the Rev. George Duffield, Jr., a Presbyterian pastor, wrote the words after asking Dudley on his death bed, “What do you want me to tell your congregation?” Which Dudley replied, “Tell them to stand up for Jesus.”
In gratitude, the Junction City parish changed it’s name from St. John’s Parish to the Church of the Covenant. The original building consists of the eastern two thirds of the present nave, and is the oldest functioning Episcopal Church building in the Diocese of Kansas.
In 1883, the present Rectory, next to the church was constructed. The stone Guild Hall was erected in 1911. In 1959, the centennial year of the parish, the cornerstone of a new building was laid. Transepts, crossing and a new chancel were added to the church doubling the seating capacity. A new classroom and office building was also constructed to connect the Church with Guild Hall. With in three years the entire debt was retired.
Military personnel and their families in harmony with the citizens of Junction City have played an integral part in the life of the parish.
Local, state and national figures who have served and worshiped at the Episcopal Church of the Covenant include:
- Chaplain David Clarkson, 1st Fort Riley Post Chaplain.
- Chaplain Douglas Henderson, 2nd Fort Riley Post Chaplain
- Lt. J.E.B. Stuart, later to become Maj. Gen. of the Confederate Army.
- The Rev. Dr. Charles Reynolds, Chaplain and 1st rector to live in the newly completed rectory in 1883.
- Colonel James McClure
- James M. Harvey, 4th Governor of the State of Kansas
- The Rev. Robert Nelson Spencer, Rector 1904 to 1907. Bishop of the Diocese of West Missouri 1930 to 1949, and author of the well known hymn, O Heaven Grace.
- Roy Eisenhower, Junction City Pharmacist and brother of President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
- Gen. George S. Patton.
- Gen. Jonathan Mayhew Wainwright, IV .
- Brigadier General Andrew Seitz
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| Historical Junction City & Ft. Riley Railway Station located on Ft. Riley | Celtic Cross on the roof of the Church of the Covenant | |
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| Calvary Soldier Statue, Ft. Riley | St. Mary’s Chapel, Ft. Riley | The Episcopal Church of the Covenant, 1859 |
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