A Frontier Pastor

Ormond Wright served the good people of Dodge City.

In 1877, Rev. Ormond Wright served the Union Church in Dodge City, Kansas. (a replica of which is in Dodge). He lead the effort to build a new church in 1878 (it was completed two years later). According to several sources, Wright convinced Wyatt Earp and Bat Masterson to serve as deacons–in part because of their status, in part to provide protection. Wright “burns out” in 1882 and, reportedly, was in an institution for some time. He then moved back east and served a church in New Jersey for 30 years. He died at age 86 in 1936.