Maple Hill had about 20 large Black families between 1900 and 1940. After 1940, the numbers of Blacks decreased significantly as family members sought jobs in Topeka, Kansas City and elsewhere.

Most of the families lived on farms in Maple Hill Township or in houses in Stones Addition at the north end of Maple Hill. About 1909, the Black families built The First Christian Church. It was located at the corner of 7th and Main Street in Stone’s Addition at the north end of Maple Hill. It was used until the late 1940s and sat vacant during the 1950s, except for occasional funerals. The church was razed about 1960, and a new home was built on the site by Rodney and Kathryn (Adams) Karjala.

When I was co-editor of the Maple Hill Community Congregational Church history book in 1975, Warner and Emma Jeanne (Flattre) seemed to have some records from this church. Perhaps they got them from an abstract kept at Stockgrowers State Bank, I don’t know. They had a list of families who were participants. They included: Wallace, Stanley, Bradley, Glenn, Oliver, Helm, Boots, Smith, Martin, Bolton, Davis, Swinnie, Hall, and Pinchers.

I remember the church but I was never inside. I don’t have any further information about this church. The photograph of the church I’m sharing, is one someone provided for the MHCCC church history in 1975. It was not of the best quality. If there are others that have photographs or information, please comment.