After 81 continuous years of ministry in Great Bend, the King UMC members are committed to closing. The membership counts seven active members.

The final service will be at 2 p.m. on Sunday at the church, located at 1608 Odell St. A reception follows in the church basement.

The ministry first was established as a Brethern Church. Later, they united with the Evangelical United Brethern as the EUB Memorial Church.

In 1968, the EUB church united with the Methodist Church to become the United Methodist Church.

In 1944, the first leader was Pastor Elmer King. Later, the members honored his leadership by naming their ministry the King’s Memorial United Methodist Church.

More recently the Pawnee Rock, Pleasant Hill, and the Albert United Methodist Churches united under the leadership of the Great Bend congregation.

This ministry was visible through the local ministerial association and local and denominational missions. More recently they joined in the combined worship of the 5th Sunday Ministries.

King members recall special activities. These include the Bean Soup Suppers, and supporting local and global missions. All can recall baptisms of children and adults, confirmation activities, many weddings and funerals.

In the past a strong Sunday School program was provided. Adults and children learned lessons about their faith.

In 2004, a dedication blessed 30 Stained Glass windows. Each was created by members. This was accomplished under the leadership of Bill Keener. The windows are a work of art! A “Stained Glass Memory Album” will be presented to the Great Bend Historical Society.

This Sunday a special offering will be taken. The Reverend Mother Teresa, of the Episcopal Church, will introduce the purpose for the offering.

The entire offering supports the, “Feeding the Children by Friends in Faith Churches in partnership with the Kansas Children’s Service League “Healthy Families.” This is an agency of Barton County.

It is noted that gaps exist in the feeding of school age children. This finds them without food for two weeks at the beginning of summer, and two weeks in the Fall before school starts.

The community is invited to attend this final service this Sunday at 2 p.m.