In the early 1950’s, Bishop Dana Dawson of the Kansas Conference and District Superintendent Dr. R. Earnest Gordon of the Topeka District had a vision for a Methodist Church in south Topeka, so the Board of Missions purchased three acres of land. On March 8, 1953, the first church service was held in a Grade A milk house on the new site. On March 18, the Board of Missions named this new church “Countryside.”

On April 12, 1953, Countryside Methodist Church was officially organized with the Rev. Roy H. Armstrong appointed as pastor. The congregation grew quickly. Groundbreaking for a sanctuary/parsonage took place on September 7, 1953, and was dedicated September 9, 1956.

In 1956 a new building committee instructed architect Marvin Thomas to design a structure to accommodate five hundred worshippers. However, the committee decided the first unit would be an educational unit which would also be used as a sanctuary. The first unit was completed in January 1957.

In 1967 a Nursery School was organized, offering Christian education to pre-school age children. The Countryside United Methodist Preschool serves approximately 150 children each year and is a valuable ministry outreach into the Topeka community.

There have been several additions to the church facility over the years, the latest being the Celebration Center, completed in 2003. This unit provides a multi-purpose gymnasium and family life center with a stage as well as a new kitchen, dining room and shower facilities.

We are thankful for God’s guidance and blessings, for our early church founders and for our present and future ministries. Countryside continues to be a place to grow!