Our Story

Ruth Hieronymous had a vision for a Nazarene church in Shawnee; she prayed and believed for nearly 25 years.

1935
1960

Lakeview (now Antioch) Church of the Nazarene sent 9 members and gave $1,000; 26 charter members made SCN the 2nd Nazarene church in northeast Johnson County and the 24th in the KC metro; the church first met in the Masonic Lodge Hall.

First sanctuary built & dedicated (now Hispanic Ministries Center)

1963
1970

8,700 square foot educational facility added on

Membership grows to 200 under the leadership of Rev. Mel McCullough

1971
1973

Adventure Time Preschool founded

550-seat sanctuary built

1976
1982

Peak SCN attendance of 400 under Rev. Richard Young’s leadership

1984 - 1991

Years of struggle as attendance drops, key lay leaders move away, and several senior pastors come and go

1984
1991

1991 - 2005

SCN renews growth and vision under the leadership of Rev. Jeren Rowell; attendance peaks at 470

Daughter church Grace Point Church of the Nazarene planted in western Shawnee

2002
2007

Educational wing added to building for continued ministry to community

Cara Shonamon & Chuck Sunberg join SCN as co-lead pastors

2017
our detailed history
Detailed History

PRAYER...

Shawnee Church of the Nazarene finds its roots in prayer.  Rather Hieronymous was a faithful member of Kansas City First Church of the Nazarene.  She attended multiple times a week, making the 8 mile journey to and from Kansas City First Church.  She was happy to do so, but she deeply longed for the day when there would be a Church of the Nazarene in her town of Shawnee, KS.  It was a prayer that she never gave up on and prayed for 25 years..

On June 8, 1960 her prayers were answered.  On the site of the old Kansas City district campground a preliminary organizational meeting was held.  Christ spoke of the faith of a mustard seed that would move mountains.  A group of 9 members from Lakeview (now Antioch) Church of the Nazarene covenanted to plant the church in Shawnee and contributed one thousand dollars. By the end of August at the organizational meeting there were a total of 26 charter members!  On August 28, 1960 Shawnee Church of the Nazarene became the second Nazarene congregation in northeast Johnson County and the 24th congregation in the greater metropolitan Kansas City area.

Wayne Brunson was one of the charter members of the church and his neighbor, Elmer Johnson, helped this young congregation find a place to meet.  Elmer was the treasure for the Masonic Lodge in town and so he insured as to its availability.  Sure enough, the Lodge was available for rent on Sundays for $5 a Sunday.

Members of the church would gather at 7am to sweep up cigaret buds, set up chairs for worship, bring in cribs for nursery, and pray a prayer of dedication over the space for each Sunday.

Over 50 years later Shawnee Church of the Nazarene is still passionate about prayer and ministering to the people of Shawnee, Kansas.  Our prayer is that we first and foremost Love God.  Everything we do flows from our love for God.  Second is our desire to love others as ourselves and make disciples in the nations.  Simply put we: Love God, Love Others as Ourselves, and Make Disciples in the nations.  We also believe in the continued importance of prayer shaping a community of faith.  Our prayers are, “Come, Holy Spirit” and “Lord, may you find us faithful.”

Shawnee Church of the Nazarene finds its roots in prayer.  Rather Hieronymous was a faithful member of Kansas City First Church of the Nazarene.  She attended multiple times a week, making the 8 mile journey to and from Kansas City First Church.  She was happy to do so, but she deeply longed for the day when there would be a Church of the Nazarene in her town of Shawnee, KS.  It was a prayer that she never gave up on and prayed for 25 years..

On June 8, 1960 her prayers were answered.  On the site of the old Kansas City district campground a preliminary organizational meeting was held.  Christ spoke of the faith of a mustard seed that would move mountains.  A group of 9 members from Lakeview (now Antioch) Church of the Nazarene covenanted to plant the church in Shawnee and contributed one thousand dollars. By the end of August at the organizational meeting there were a total of 26 charter members!  On August 28, 1960 Shawnee Church of the Nazarene became the second Nazarene congregation in northeast Johnson County and the 24th congregation in the greater metropolitan Kansas City area.

Wayne Brunson was one of the charter members of the church and his neighbor, Elmer Johnson, helped this young congregation find a place to meet.  Elmer was the treasure for the Masonic Lodge in town and so he insured as to its availability.  Sure enough, the Lodge was available for rent on Sundays for $5 a Sunday.

Members of the church would gather at 7am to sweep up cigaret buds, set up chairs for worship, bring in cribs for nursery, and pray a prayer of dedication over the space for each Sunday.

Over 50 years later Shawnee Church of the Nazarene is still passionate about prayer and ministering to the people of Shawnee, Kansas.  Our prayer is that we first and foremost Love God.  Everything we do flows from our love for God.  Second is our desire to love others as ourselves and make disciples in the nations.  Simply put we: Love God, Love Others as Ourselves, and Make Disciples in the nations.  We also believe in the continued importance of prayer shaping a community of faith.  Our prayers are, “Come, Holy Spirit” and “Lord, may you find us faithful.”

5539 Quivira Road
Shawnee, KS 66216 
(913) 631-5555

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