The Oldest Church in Downtown Lee’s Summit
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church is
a Historic Faith Community
In a time when most women took the lead in providing schooling and other civilized aspects of community life, three women were working tirelessly to build the foundations of what now is Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church in downtown Lee’s Summit — the oldest church in downtown.
The church was founded in 1879 by Elizabeth Whiting, Belle Jones and Bessie Gattrell. For seven years, these women raised money by sewing carpet rags. They were completely in charge — they chose the plans, signed the contracts, oversaw the construction and paid the bills.
Needing land to build, they approached William B. Howard, the founder of Lee’s Summit. Realizing the crucial role churches played in growing a community, Howard provided the site for St. Paul’s on July 16, 1884 where Green and Grand Streets merged with Fifth Street.
The Reverend Frederick B. Scheetz, a former railroad surveyor, designed the church and donated the plans.
What these women created with help from the community was a sacred space where 21st-century worshippers still gather today. Now some 140 years later, the church is still ever-evolving and growing.
Rev. Dr. Steven R. Rottgers, Associate Rector of Church Growth and Evangelism, said St. Paul’s is a historical faith community in Lee’s Summit.
“Some claim that the interior walls of the historical chapel were made from some remnants of rail cars. The amount raised from the sale of the rag carpets was a whopping $1,500 — deemed a large amount in its day,” he said. “Yet St. Paul’s is also a very contemporary community that is growing in membership and love for local ministry.”
Dr. Rottgers said the church’s newer nave is much larger to accommodate larger gatherings.
“St. Paul’s is also adding a new elevator lift to facilitate better handicap access to the use of the upper parlor for art exhibits and public social gatherings,” he added.
The community at St. Paul’s is diverse in age and in many other aspects. Many have a passion for volunteering with organizations such as Hillcrest Transitional Housing and Lee’s Summit Social Services. They are also involved in the Chamber, Rotary and other civic organizations.
“They’re welcoming and look forward to meeting new visitors,” Dr. Rottgers said. “They are also very supportive of their accomplished music program including a choir and handbell choir that perform on a regular basis.”
Music events are offered to the community on a bi-monthly basis.
“These can range from a sing-along of Handel’s Messiah to Southern Gospel selections,” Dr. Rottgers said. “Dr. William Baker is a well-known music director in the area and the USA. The Bell Choir also performs regularly for the public at events such as the Ministerial Alliance Thanksgiving Service and local Christmas lighting events at Powell Gardens with director Amy Chinnery-Valmassei.”
Church groups, such as a Women’s Group, Men’s Group, Sunday 9 a.m. Bible Study and ministries of the liturgy and outreach are all open to new members.
“There’s also Eight is Enough Social Dinner Groups that rotate quarterly and are an excellent way to become known and get to know each other,” he said.
Services are held at 8 a.m. in the historic chapel and 10 a.m. in the larger modern nave. The Rev. Tim Coppinger is the current Rector. For more information, visit stpaulsls.org.
Nonprofits & Churches
Chamber-member Places
of Worship
Abundant Life Church
Connection Point Church
Contagious Revival Church
First Baptist Church of Lee’s Summit
Journey Church International
Lee’s Summit Christian Church
Lee’s Summit Community Church
Spirit of Faith Family Church-KC
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
Summit Park Church
The Shepherd’s Way Ministries, Inc.
The Summit Church
Woods Chapel United Methodist Church
Chamber-member Nonprofits and Civic Organizations
American Legion
Big Brothers Big Sisters KC
Boost 4 Success
Camp Quality Greater Kansas City
Citizens 4 Progress
Civil Air Patrol-Lee’s Summit Composite Squadron
Coldwater
Community Blood Center of Greater Kansas City
Community Services League
Developing Potential, Inc.
FACE KC USA
FosterAdopt Connect
GettingUp.Org, Inc.
Greater Lee’s Summit Health Care Foundation
Heart of America Council, Boy Scouts of America
Hillcrest Transitional Housing
Historical Society of Lee’s Summit
Hope House
HopeKids Kansas City
HorsePower Experiential Learning Program
Jackson County Executive Office
Job One
Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
KC Scholars
Langsford House: Group Home for Boys
Lee’s Summit CARES
Lee’s Summit Fire Fighters Local 2195
Lee’s Summit Kiwanis Club
Lee’s Summit Masonic Hall
Lee’s Summit Social Services
Lee’s Summit Sunrise Sunset Rotary Club
Legacy for LS Parks Foundation
Life Unlimited
Marian Hope
Meals on Wheels of Lee’s Summit
One Good Meal
Pawsperity
Pro Deo Youth Center
REHOPE
Resource Health Services – Lee’s Summit
Rotary Club of Lee’s Summit
SOAR Special Needs
Southeast Enterprises
Summit Theatre Group
TNC Community
Truman Heartland Community Foundation
Truman Heritage Habitat ReStore
United Way of Greater Kansas City
Unity Village
Wings 4 Water
