Warren Street Methodist Episcopal Church

African American Churches in Warrensburg, Missouri.

The Warren Street Methodist Episcopal Church played an important role in the life of Warrensburg and specifically in the lives of its African American congregants who attended services there. The first congregation was formed right after the conclusion of the Civil War, in 1866; however, it is not exactly known when the congregation moved to the 201 S. Warren Street location.

The Warren Street Methodist Episcopal Church was constructed in 1899 after the congregation's previous church burned. What makes this church unique is its Gothic windows and brick construction topped with "fire proof" shingles. Warrensburg contractor, John W. King, oversaw the construction of the building in 1899.

The church scheduled a cornerstone ceremony for January 1, 1899, and the pastor of the church at the time of the ceremony was Rev. J. W. Brown.

In 1918 there were at least a dozen African American churches in Johnson County Missouri, including four in Warrensburg, which was the largest city in the county. Across the county approximately 437 African Americans attended these dozen churches, including 202 county residents who attended the four African American churches in Warrensburg.

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201 S. Warren Street Warrensburg, MO 64093 ~ Private Property