The Christian Church
The Christian Church was originally located on the corner of Sixth and Massachusetts streets, where Robbins Business College now stands. The present church is one block south on Seventh and Massachusetts streets. The Church was organized by Elder George W. Longan in May, 1861. Gen. G. R. Smith and daughters, J. W. Martin, Sir. and Mrs. Logan Clark, Mr. and Mrs. H. R. Dobyns, Mr. and Mrs. John A. Read were among the charter members. Elder George W. Longan, then a citizen of Benton County, preached the first sermon ever delivered in Sedalia, and organized the first congregation. He preached in the store house built by A. T. Hodge, adjoining the old "Sedalia House" on the west, the last Sunday in April, 1861, and in May, following, organized the first congregation. A house of worship was not built till 1866, when a brick structure was erected under the superintendence of John DeJarnett, Henry Cotton, Dr. Logan Clark and G. R. Smith. Henry Cotton was the treasurer. The original building was remodeled and repaired by Elder S. K. Hallam. At the present time there are but two of the charter members of this church living. They are Mrs. Sarah E. Cotton, daughter of Gen. George R. Smith, and Mrs. Melvina Rogers, both of whom reside in the city of Sedalia. Rev. A. W. Kokendoffer is the present minister. The membership at present is 800, with Sunday school attendance of 450. The building is a brick structure with a large auditorium which will seat about 600 people. In addition it has three other rooms on main floor besides pastor's study. These rooms are used for Sunday school purposes, and with upstairs rooms and parlors easily cares for a Sunday school of six or seven hundred. Besides the church also owns, as a gift from Mrs. S. F. Cotton, a small cottage on Seventh street just west of the church building. The main auditorium has cushioned pews, pipe organ and four pianos in the various rooms of the church. Officers are as follows: Elders, George W. Barnett, Peter Courtney, Dr. W. M. Carter, E. H. Weinrich, A. J. White and W. U. Crites; deacons, T. R. Melton, C. L. Hanley, George M. Pemberton, J. H. Looney, S. M. Williams, C. L. Turner, F. W. Buente, H. O. Foraker, C. D. Warren, S. W. Embry, Edward Heckman, W. W. Barrett, J. A. Fowler, Wm. Gentry, John Stuart, Sid Condit, J. W. Neal and Clay Harned.
(History of Pettis County Missouri by Mark A McGruder 1919)