HOISINGTON BIBLE CHURCH

In 1941 some believers in Hoisington, Kansas organized a Bible class called the "Hoisington Bible School." Every Sunday afternoon this group of ten or fifteen people met for services. They felt God's leading to provide a place of fellowship for believers who would stand against the apostasy of the National Council of Churches.

Two ministers from the Friends Church, one from Beaver and one from Shannon, alternated coming to Hoisington on Sunday afternoons and one weeknight for preaching services. Services were held in a building on East Third Street which was also used by the Evangelical and Reformed Church.

Later that year, pastor/evangelist Rev. Charles A. Doolittle was invited to hold a two-week series of meetings. At the close of those meetings the group asked Brother Doolittle to stay in Hoisington, help them organize into a church and become their pastor.

At that time there was little interest in keeping records. The folks were simply thrilled to proclaim the saving grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. A meeting place was secured by renting a storefront on West Second Street, which is now the Second Street Hair Depot.

When that building was no longer available, two lots on East Second Street were purchased for back taxes. An old house Southwest of town was purchased and torn down for materials to construct a church building on East Second Street. Pastor Doolittle used his experience in construction to lead other volunteers and together the building was completed on July 20, 1944.

It was during the year of 1942 that the church began to flourish and really become an established church. The name of "Hoisington Bible School" was changed to "Hoisington Bible Church"! Eventually the need to become incorporated led the church to file the appropriate papers with the State of Kansas on August 26, 1943.

As the work progressed, Pastor Doolittle invited Brother G.E. Smith to come and assist him. The church secured a bus to gather in people from the outlying areas. Brother Smith needed a place to live so a parsonage was built. The church building and parsonage were officially dedicated on May 6, 1946.

On June 28, 1950 Hoisington Bible Church became a member of IFCA International.

In late 1973 the church building on East Second Street was sold and moved to a field Southeast of town. On January 3, 1974 a groundbreaking ceremony was held on the very same two lots on East Second and construction began on the present building. For a brief six months services were held at the Lincoln Elementary School on North Pine Street, until the building was completed.