On the 22nd of October, 1854, the original Congregational Church (not pictured) held its first service with 10 charter members. The church, the first of any denomination in Kansas, was called Plymouth because the aims of the Kansas settlers so closely resembled those of the Plymouth pilgrims. The structure of the first church was little more than a hay tent that doubled as a boarding house during the week, and wind came through the cracks, and snow would gently sift through the cracks, settling on the heads of the worshippers. But, in the Spring of 1856, construction was begun on a stone building (pictured) to be located at 6th and Louisiana Streets. In 1862, the new church was completed and dedicated.

Image taken from E.F. Caldwell's "A Souvenir History of Lawrence, Kansas, 1898."