To give you a detailed history of Tyro Christian Church we must first give you a little history of the community in which we are located.
Incorporated in 1906, Tyro was a small town with a population around 600 and located in the gas fields in Montgomery County in Southeast Kansas. At that time it was a shipping point for grain, live stock and farm produce; had one bank with a large local trade; and was supplied with express and telegraph offices, and had a money order post office with one rural route and at least two church groups, the Methodist Church and the Church of Christ.
In the early 1900's, members of the Tyro Methodist Church and the Tyro Church of Christ formed a group named the Tyro Union Sunday School. The ministers of the Church of Christ group and the Tyro Methodist Church alternated preaching duties. In 1907 the Tyro Methodist Church built it's own building to Worship in. (The Tyro Methodist Church is still in existence today and a part of the Caney Group Parish.)
On August 11th, 1909, the Tyro Church of Christ filed it charter with the Kansas Secretary of State. This was later to become known as the Tyro Christian Church. The two congregations continued to hold joint services until a new church was erected and dedicated on February 17, 1921 for the Tyro Christian Church. Several people worthy of note who were very valuable in the forming on the congregation. The Minister at the time was William Moore. Board members included, William Koger as finance chairman, J. A. Wintermote and Alger Mahaffey as Elders, William Moore as building chairman. The dedicator was R. A. Long with assistance of George E. Lyon and the minister, William Moore. Alger Mahaffey was also the Sunday School Superintendent and played a large role in the forming of the early congregation. William Moore served as minister until May of 1921. (To see a complete list of past and present ministers click on this sentence)
In 1969, while studying at Ozark Bible College, (Now known as Ozark Christian College where David Bycroft is a board Member), David Bycroft began his ministry here preaching on weekends. He began his full-time ministry here on September 28, 1969 and still is the minister at this time. He married Kathy Betts, a Tyro Native, on October 11, 1969 and made their home 1 mile West of Tyro.
In 1975, with the church membership growing, it was decided that a larger facility would be needed. Tyro Christian Church members decided to construct a sanctuary which would provide seating for 390 people with accommodating offices and facilities. The builder would be Terrel Taylor of Bartlesville, Oklahoma and it would be financed with 15 year bonds.
On July 4th, 1976 the new building was dedicated and with the Lord's help the building was paid off 3 years later.
In 1980 a fellowship hall along with classrooms were constructed and in 1983 10 more classrooms were added on.
Starting on November 9th, 1980, two morning Worship Services were started because the attendance was much greater than the space. and today the two services remain a part of Tyro Christian Church with a Traditional Service every Sunday morning at 8:30 a.m. and a Contemporary Service at 11:00 a.m. with more than 25 Sunday school classes available at 10:00 a.m.
In 1985, a dream was realized and the Tyro Community Christian School was founded as an alternative to the Public school system with the current school administrator being Terry Byrd.
In 2000 a new Sanctuary was built with a seating capacity of 800 with an additional capacity of 400, thanks to four overflows which double as Sunday school classrooms. Along with the Sanctuary a new classroom, kitchen, nursery, and restrooms were added. This was built utilizing a 15 year loan but was paid in full in just 4-1/2 years.
Today Tyro is a town with a population of approximately 240 people and Tyro Christian Church has a regular attendance each Sunday of over 900 people and a staff including 5 full-time Evangelist/Ministers, 1 full-time World Evangelist, 1 full-time Office Administrator, 1 full-time Secretary, 1 Early Childhood Director, 1 Ministry Intern, 1 Youth Intern, 6 Elders, 15 Deacons, and 2 Custodians along with the school staff.