The city of Lawrence is rich in history — and so are its churches.

In fact, two downtown Lawrence congregations will celebrate their 150th anniversaries in 2004, alongside the city’s sesquicentennial celebration.

Both Plymouth Congregational Church, 925 Vt., and First United Methodist Church, 946 Vt., were established in 1854. Their members are marking these historic occasions with special events scheduled throughout the year.

Plymouth, a 1,200-member church that has been at the same location since 1870, plans to welcome back to the church its six living former pastors, write an updated church history, compose and perform original music marking the anniversary, and participate in the city’s sesquicentennial parade in September.

The Rev. Peter Luckey, pastor at Plymouth Congregational Church, looks over a 1904 New Testament. Plymouth Congregational, 925 Vt., and First United Methodist Church, 946 Vt., were established in 1854 and will celebrate their 150th anniversary this year.

“There’s an awful lot of stuff we’d like to get in,” said Steve Bradt, chairman of Plymouth’s sesquicentennial committee, of the church’s yearlong celebration. “With the length of time that Plymouth has been around, it seems appropriate that we spend more than just a couple of Sundays honoring that history.”

First United Methodist Church’s major celebration will be Nov. 6-7, marking the anniversary of the arrival in Kansas of the church’s first pastor, the Rev. James Griffing.

The church’s sesquicentennial committee, co-chaired by Jerry and Judy Niebaum, is organizing a number of projects in honor of the anniversary.

Those projects include making available a written and pictorial history of the church from 1915 to 1954; compiling, editing and writing a new church history of 1954 to 2004; and presenting the church with a piece of iron artwork, depicting a silhouette of Griffing atop his horse, for the congregation’s new, second campus on the west side of Lawrence.

Vibrant part of community

Longtime Plymouth members are excited about the upcoming events to celebrate the church’s major anniversary.

Barbara Murphy has belonged to Plymouth since 1949, and it has been an important part of her life.

“I grew up in that church, my children were baptized and married there, and I’ve been on many boards and committees. When I think about 150 years, I’ve been a member for more than a third of that time,” she said.

“I love the history of it, and just looking at the building itself. I can’t imagine being in a new contemporary church on Wakarusa (Drive). I hope we never leave our location. I’m sure I won’t.”

Alan Hack Sr. and his wife, Julie, been Plymouth members almost as long as Murphy. They joined in 1951.

“To me the idea that it’s been here for 150 years — through thick and thin — and is still a vibrant part of our community, is very special,” Julie Hack said. “And the fact that we’ve stayed downtown. We’re very fortunate that we’ve been able to participate.”

Finding right gift

Meanwhile, Dennis and Judy Dailey, two longtime members of First United Methodist Church, have given the congregation a special gift in honor of its 150th anniversary: an oil painting by Lawrence artist Paul Penny, as well as two rare photographs of early architectural renderings of the church.

The congregation got its first look at the painting and photos after worship services Jan. 11, at the official kickoff of the church’s yearlong anniversary celebration.

The painting depicts a panorama of Vermont Street that includes three historic downtown churches — First United Methodist Church, Trinity Episcopal Church, 1011 Vt., and Plymouth.

The two photographs are on loan to the church for a year, then they will return to the Daileys.

Purchasing the oil painting for the church that the couple attend was a no-brainer. They saw Penny’s 2003 painting at a display in the cafe at Hy-Vee Food Store, 3504 Clinton Parkway.

“My thought was that some church should own this, and since our church is celebrating our 150th, why not our church?” Dennis said.

“I thought it was an excellent idea,” said Judy, who serves on the church’s sesquicentennial committee.