Church members and guests gathered for a capacity crowd that included overflow of many standing due to the pews being filled to capacity.

General contractor and church volunteer Patrick O’Hare and lifelong TUMC member RJ Stephenson did the honors for the ribbon cutting.

Tonganoxie Mayor David Frese, who also is a member of the church, gave an official declaration of reopening as well.

The ceremony started at 9:30 a.m. Sunday at the church. Rev. Matthew Wilke noted that more than 50 years ago, the church made a major investment in its future and spent several months utilizing a school facility as the congregation waited to move into the space on Fourth Street. Fast forward to now, and the church family again went through a major renovation process that provided a more inviting entrance for all visitors, as well as more open spaces and amenities, including a coffee bar and gathering area for church members.

Wilke thanked the church council, the vision team and the Answer the Call Campaign volunteers who made it possible to do the renovations. It was a process that started roughly two years ago and finished up with the actual renovations the last several months.

“Thank you for your time, your talents, your gifts, your service, and your witness, as we seek to live out our mission as Tonganoxie UMC, to be inviting, connecting, growing, and serving,” Wilke said.

Tonganoxie United Methodist Church has been a part of the community for nearly 160 years. It was chartered on June 24, 1869.

The church itself has been through many changes but has been in its Fourth Street space for generations.

Additionally, the church bell near the building’s front entrance had been silent for decades, but it was revitalized as part of the renovation project.

It rang out before the service Sunday.