In 1885, the Christian Churches of Kansas voted to establish an institution of higher learning and in July 1886, work began on the building. It was named Garfield University in honor of the martyred President, James A. Garfield, who was a member of the Christian Church and a friend of Dr. W.B. Hendryx, pastor of Wichita’s Central Christian Church. Garfield University opened its doors in September, 1887. One class graduated in 1890. Then two crop failures in Kansas forced the 380 Christian Churches of the State to close the school because of lack of funds. So the great unfinished structure stood empty.