Boot Hill Museum is happy to announce the completion of the First Union Church building and exhibits. The church exhibits portray how religion and the formation of early Dodge City churches transitioned a community from a wild and isolated outpost to an established, permanent town. Artifacts from the museum’s collection are on display, and the church building captures a sense of an early frontier church.

Thanks to many contributors the First Union Church building and exhibits are now great additions to Boot Hill Museum and Dodge City. The church project was funded in part by an Attraction Development Grant from the Kansas Department of Commerce Travel and Tourism division.

The interdenominational Union Church, which our church exhibit replicates, was built in 1874 or 1875 at First Avenue and Spruce, north of the downtown. It cost $1,000 to construct and held at least 100 worshipers.

The Union Church used circuit preachers and hosted a wide variety of community functions. Dodge City had a reputation in its early days of being a place so wild and sinful that even God did not venture into her city limits. The Rev. Ormond W. Wright sought to change this when he went to Front Street saloons and gambling houses to solicit funds to maintain this church as a place where cowboys and settlers alike could join together to practice their faith in Christ.

Wyatt Earp and Bat Masterson were deacons of this new church. The Union Church was the first building constructed in Dodge City dedicated to the practice of religion. With the construction of this building began the taming of the “wickedest little city in America.”

The staff at Boot Hill Museum, Inc. wishes to thank all those individuals and organizations that through their donations of money, material and labor have made this new exhibit possible. Sponsorships are still available. Call the Museum office at (620) 227-8188 for more information.

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