Pilgrim Congregational Church

101 North Third Street

Construction of one of Arkansas City’s most impressive historic buildings, the Pilgrim Congregational Church, began in 1891 and finished in 1893.

It was completed just a few years after the old high school (now Ireland Hall), which was built in 1890.

Both buildings are wonderful examples of Richardsonian Romanesque architecture, and both are built of cut Silverdale stone blocks with the Roman arches and towers typically found in this style.

The Congregational Church was one of Ark City’s oldest churches.

Several of Ark City’s founding fathers, who originally came here from Emporia, were Congregationalists.

Among them were A.A. Newman, Lyman Beecher Kellogg and Henry Brace Norton.

The latter two men were instrumental in securing and staffing the Kansas State Normal School in Emporia, now known as Emporia State University.

The Congregational Church in Ark City had grown to 154 members by 1892.

During the 1870s, its early members joined members of other denominations and met in several different locations in town.

In 1887, the Reverend D.D. DeLong, a popular minister, was secured to unite the people and the church was incorporated. 

A building committee was formed in 1889.

Built of sandstone with limestone trim, the church features a bell tower 78 feet high.

In 1949, it became home to the Nazarene Church and, in 2002, the Vinelife Family Church.

It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2005.