Welcome To Raytown !!!
In the 1950’s Raytown was a growing and prosperous
suburb on the east side of Kansas City. During this time a group of east
Kansas City Nazarenes became concerned that there was not a Holiness church
in the Raytown area. That small group of people became convinced that God’s
will for their lives was to provide that voice. In 1957 they began meeting
together on the second story of Smith's Brothers Hardware Store. They were
organized into a home mission church in 1958.
One of the church’s greatest obstacles was in locating property. Rising
costs and realtor resistance nearly ended the small church in its infancy.
Then God spoke to Ed Corum, one of the new members. With God’s leading Ed
purchased 5 acres in a new housing development called Southwood and deeded
the land to the church. Southwood Church of the Nazarene had found its home
and its name.
In the years that followed God blessed and honored the vision and
faithfulness of those early pioneers. The church became a compelling voice
for heart Holiness and has been joined by several other Holiness churches.
By the late 1970s the 30 original members had grown to over 270 in morning
worship.
The 1980s bought great change for Raytown and Southwood. Raytown was now
completely engulfed by Kansas City. Explosive growth in the surrounding
communities, changing socio-economics of Raytown and struggles with vision
all contributed to a decline. For many it seemed that the vision had died.
Then in the mid 1990s God broke in with a new vision.
Today Southwood has re-embraced the innovative attitude and determined
spirit that marked its early history. Southwood is again vitally engaged
with its community and
beginning to reflect the demographics of the area. The church has tripled in
the last ten years and is enjoying God’s presence and blessing in a new and
wonderful way. The vision God gave for Raytown to those early pioneers is
alive and well.
Thanks for checking out Southwood’s past. If you would like to become a
part of Southwood’s future we invite you to join us this Sunday at 9:30 or
11:00. We would love to have you as a part of the Southwood family.
