A Church Anchored on Woodland Avenue Since 1907
On a leafy block of Kansas City's midtown corridor, the stately neo-classic facade of Centennial United Methodist Church faces Woodland Avenue. The congregation behind that facade traces its roots to 1907, when two early Black Methodist congregations - Asbury Chapel and Burns Chapel - came together to form what would become one of the city's most enduring community anchors. More than a century later, the church still gathers for worship every Sunday morning and still opens its doors to neighbors in need, carrying a mission expressed in three phrases: reaching up to God, reaching out to the community, and welcoming all.
Centennial United Methodist Church sits at 1834 Woodland Avenue in Kansas City, Missouri, just minutes from downtown. The church is described by its own staff as a United Methodist African-American congregation, and its identity runs deep in the city's Black religious life. Its history reflects the major currents of 20th-century Kansas City - growth, depression, wartime, civil rights, and urban renewal - and its building has been adapted again and again so that the next generation can find a place inside.
The Founding Years and the New Centennial
The first two decades of the church's life were a period of remarkable expansion. Under the founding pastor Rev. J. Will Jackson, and then Rev. Richard Davis, the newly merged congregation grew quickly. Rev. Martin Luther Mackay guided the congregation through the resolution of early debts and the design of a permanent home. In 1929, the building known as the New Centennial was completed. Its neo-classic architecture made it a landmark on Woodland Avenue, and inside it housed a Wurlitzer pipe organ that became a gathering place for significant happenings in the wider community.
The decades that came next tested the church in different ways. Pastors Rev. A. L. Reynolds Sr. and Rev. E. L. McAllister led Centennial through the Great Depression and World War II, keeping the congregation together even as financial hardship pressed in. The 1930s and 1940s also deepened the church's commitment to young people; the Epworth League, a Methodist youth organization, flourished under Rev. Reynolds and later Rev. L. R. Grant, and a tradition of youth ministry that still defines the congregation took root.
Civil Rights, Renewal, and the Modern Era
In the 1960s and 1970s, Centennial's ministry took on the character of its neighborhood. Pastors Rev. C. Jarrett Gray Sr. and Rev. J. LaVon Kincaid led the church into civil rights activism and broad community engagement, and Centennial's pulpit became a steady voice for social justice in Kansas City. The 1980s and 1990s brought renovations and new outreach programs under pastors Rev. Cecil Neal and Rev. Amos Browne, securing the church's presence as the surrounding neighborhood continued to evolve.
As the 21st century opened, Rev. Emanuel Cleaver III launched initiatives to grow membership, update the building for full accessibility, and create new worship experiences. The 100th anniversary in 2007 was a milestone marked by a Capital Campaign Renovation Project that brought an elevator and ADA-compliant facilities to the historic structure. Pastors Rev. David A. Gilmore and Rev. Jason Bryles continued that work in the years that followed, expanding grant-funded outreach, beginning a livestream ministry, and adapting to the COVID-19 pandemic with outdoor worship and new community partnerships. In 2022, Rev. Danielle Quinn became Centennial's pastor, leading the church under the motto "REACHING OUT... REACHING UP... and WELCOMING ALL!!!"
Sunday Morning Worship
Worship at Centennial gathers every Sunday at 10:45 a.m. The service is led by the Senior Pastor with the support of lay worship leaders, a choir and praise team, and a percussionist who adds rhythm and energy to the gathered congregation. Members of the Altar Guild prepare the table for communion and arrange the sanctuary for each season of the church year, and the Media and Communications Team carries the service beyond the walls through livestream and social channels.
Visitors are warmly welcomed. A casual coffee gathering with the Senior Pastor and staff is held on the third Sunday of every month immediately after worship, in the Pastor's Office. Anyone curious about membership, or simply wanting to learn the story behind the church, is invited to attend.
Children, Youth, and Young Disciples
Centennial's next generation has long been central to its life, and the church offers two distinct programs for young people. The Children's Ministry meets on the second and fourth Sundays during worship, providing a nurturing space for the church's youngest members while their families are in the pews. The Youth Ministry gathers every Sunday morning at 10:00 a.m., giving teenagers a chance to grow in faith and community before the main service begins.
For adults looking to dig deeper into Scripture, a Men's Bible Study meets two Saturdays each month for a dedicated time of studying the Word and fellowship. Seasonal Small Groups run throughout the church year, including Advent, Black History, and Easter studies, and everyone is welcome to take part.
Reaching Out: Missions Beyond the Walls
Outreach is woven into the congregation's identity, organized under a ministry the church calls Risk-Taking Missions. The After-School Learning Lab provides a supportive environment for educational growth for neighborhood students. The Blessing Bags initiative extends a helping hand to those facing hardship in the broader community. The church also maintains an ongoing partnership with Lincoln College Preparatory Academy, fostering collaboration that reaches into local schools.
The Centennial United Women in Faith Unit carries much of this work forward, supporting women, children, and families both locally and globally. Locally, the unit has partnered with Della Lamb, the Veterans Community Project, KC Hospice House, and The Community Linc Project. Globally, the unit sends an annual missions budget through the Missouri Conference of the United Methodist Church. Members also participate in projects of the Northwest District of United Women in Faith.
Volunteers of all ages and skill levels are invited to serve. Opportunities include serving meals at local shelters, participating in community clean-up events, and volunteering at local schools. As the church puts it, volunteering is at the heart of Centennial's call: members are expected to do more than simply attend on Sundays, and are called to actively serve their neighbors as well.
Radical Hospitality and Pastoral Care
The congregation's Radical Hospitality ministry begins at the door. The Usher Boards welcome everyone who enters, and the Hospitality team creates an inclusive environment for fellowship and connection. The Trustee Work Group oversees the responsible stewardship of the historic building, keeping it ready for worship and ministry throughout the week.
Pastoral care is a particular strength of Centennial. Deacon Jamil Hendricks leads the Congregational Care Team, offering spiritual care to the church family and ensuring that each member feels seen, heard, and valued. Anyone in need of prayer or support can reach the church through a Request Care form, by calling the church office at (816) 421-5527, or through an Emergency Care Line at 816-287-0622 for urgent needs such as hospitalization or the death of a loved one. All care requests are handled with the utmost confidentiality.
Music and the Arts in Worship
Music has long been a hallmark of Centennial's life, and the music ministry is built on collaboration. The choirs and praise team lead the congregation in harmonious praise each Sunday. Percussionist Robert Oates adds rhythm and energy to the worship, helping create what the church describes as a dynamic and spiritually uplifting atmosphere. Worship leaders guide the flow of the service, balancing reverence and joy, while the Media and Communications Team keeps the service connected to those watching from home.
Generosity and Giving
The church describes giving as more than an act of support - it is a profound expression of love and commitment to the community. Gifts make possible meaningful Sunday worship, outreach to neighbors in need, educational initiatives including the After-School Learning Lab, pastoral care for members in every stage of life, and local and global mission partnerships.
Gifts can be made in person during Sunday worship or at the church office, through the online giving portal, or by text through Vanco's text-to-give service. Online giving offers one-time donations or recurring contributions, and all financial gifts are handled with confidentiality and integrity.
Becoming a Member
Membership at Centennial follows the practices outlined in the United Methodist Book of Discipline. New members may join through a profession of faith and the sacrament of baptism, by transfer from another United Methodist or Christian congregation, through confirmation (often during adolescence), or by reaffirming a faith commitment made earlier in life. Members make vows that include prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness, and the church commits to walking alongside each member in spiritual growth, pastoral care, and mutual accountability.
Membership Applications are available through the church office for those ready to join, and a Membership Update form allows current members to keep their information current. Both are part of the church's effort to make belonging accessible to anyone who finds their way to Woodland Avenue.
A Living Community of Faith
Centennial United Methodist Church has been a presence on Woodland Avenue for more than a century, and the congregation that gathers there today carries the same conviction that shaped its founders in 1907. A community rooted in Black Methodist tradition, shaped by the struggles and triumphs of Kansas City's last hundred years, and committed to welcoming all who walk through its doors. The building has been made accessible, the ministries have expanded, and the music still rises on Sunday morning - in person and by livestream to those who cannot be in the pew. Whether through worship, learning, giving, or serving, members and friends are invited to reach up, reach out, and welcome all.