[3] The Church and its members have played a prominent role in civic and religious affairs in Missouri.

In 2004, the Odyssey Chamber Music Series was founded as part of a community outreach effort.

[3] As Columbia was growing into a proper town, it was natural that like-minded thinkers would join together in Christian fellowship.

The founders were formerly members of Little Bonne Femme Baptist Church south of Columbia who granted letters of dismiss after a dispute involving William Jewell.

On this lot was erected a beautiful Victorian Neo-Gothic structure, complete with pipe organ and stained glass.

Not until after the Civil War did the congregations segregate, in Columbia newly emancipated slaves formed Second Baptist Church—still a predominantly black church today.

The Stephens family, leaders in business, religion, and civic affairs, were lifetime members.