A Brief History of Emmanuel Baptist Church

By Josh Wesner

May 2018

          Emmanuel Baptist Church traces its roots back to a group of German immigrants who came to America from Russia in 1876 and settled in and around Marion, KS.  They originally gathered for worship in a little old school house on Jacob Ehrlich’s farm, one and one-half miles northwest of Marion.  This same Mr. Ehrlich served the flock as Elder/Pastor for almost 30 years (24 years bi-vocationally and without pay).

          In 1884, under the leadership of Elder Ehrlich, the Marion Mennonite Brethren Church was organized as an affiliate of Ebenfeld Mennonite Brethren Church (rural Hillsboro). However, in 1889, for unknown reasons, the congregation decided to leave the Mennonite Brethren Conference and connected instead with the German Baptists (now North American Baptist Conference). At this time, they became known as the German Baptist Church of Marion.

          The first church building was constructed in 1890.  It was built of native stone and was located directly west of the current sanctuary, two blocks west of the railroad, near Washington and Vine Streets.  It no longer stands, but was the meeting house for the congregation for over 26 years.  

          The church became officially affiliated with the German Baptist Churches in America by being received into its Southwestern Association (SWA) as a member church on September 5, 1900 at Shell Creek Baptist Church, Columbus, NE.  In this same year, Jacob Ehrlich was asked by the congregation to give his full time to ministry, and they would supply his needs with $450 annual salary.   He agreed, and the church had its first ‘full-time’ pastor.

          A new facility for the church began construction in 1916 and was dedicated on November 18, 1917.   Total cost at the time was $12,000.   It included a large sanctuary, the balcony area often being used for Sunday School classes.  In the basement was the kitchen and larger area for meals and other classrooms.  The native stone forming the foundation is from the original building at Washington and Vine Streets.  A large pipe organ was installed in the sanctuary in 1918 and has assisted the congregation in worship for many decades.

          Significant changes occurred in the 1940’s.  Due largely to the anti-German sentiments and connotations in connection with the two World Wars, the German Baptist Church of Marion decided in a meeting on December 15, 1941 (one week after Pearl Harbor) that all functions were to be in English only from that point forward.  (In the earliest days, everything was in the German language.  As the years progressed, there was a mixture of German and English.   For example, at one time there would be a “short” sermon in German followed by one in English.)  In 1945 the church also changed its name from “German Baptist Church” to “Emmanuel Baptist Church.”

          The first of two later additions to the church building was completed in 1988, which included the fellowship hall, kitchen, classrooms, and a church office (now the main entryway).  In 2000, the “new” addition was completed, which included a multi-purpose room, kitchenette, and several classrooms.  These facilities have been invaluable to the church’s life and ministry as it continues to grow.  They have been especially beneficial for the Awana children’s ministry which Emmanuel has led in the community for 22 years (1995-99, 2006-present).

          Since its beginnings in 1876, Emmanuel has been served by 25 faithful pastors (not including interims).   Through the years, the membership of Emmanuel has fluctuated from as small as 28 to as large as 163.  Seasons come and seasons go.  Sometimes things have seemed ever so exciting – 25 baptisms in one year, helping start new churches in nearby communities, the expansion of facilities because numbers are growing.  Other times things may seem less exciting to human eyes.  But as the faithful, steady, consistent work of planting gospel seeds and watering those seeds in the souls of men and women and boys and girls continues, we watch and wait for the Lord to give growth (1Corinthians 3:7).  For 142 years, Emmanuel Baptist Church has been a light for Jesus Christ in Marion, KS.   For all those years it has clung tightly to God’s Word and been a faithful witness to its Lord and Savior throughout Marion County and beyond.  Our aim was then and remains still: to be disciples of Jesus Christ and to make more disciples of Jesus Christ.  Our prayer is that the Lord would keep us faithful to the task until He returns.