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Beecher Bible and Rifle Church
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| Location: | SE corner of Chapel and Elm Sts., Wabaunsee, Kansas |
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| Area: | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built: | 1862 |
| Architectural style: | Other, Plains Vernacular |
| Governing body: | Private |
| NRHP Reference#: | 71000334[1] |
| Added to NRHP: | February 24, 1971 |
Beecher Bible and Rifle Church is a historic church at the southeastern corner of Chapel and Elm Streets in Wabaunsee, Kansas. The church is named after Rev. Henry Ward Beecher, a financial backer for the town who helped smuggle rifles past pro-slavery forces in crates marked Beecher's Bibles.
The town of Wabaunsee was founded in 1855 by a group of nearly 100 New England emigrants from New Haven, Connecticut. They were inspired by a sermon given by well-known abolitionist Henry Ward Beecher and Beecher gave money to help supply rifles for the men to defend themselves. The rifles were smuggled through pro-slavery areas in crates marked "Beecher's Bibles."
Wabaunsee was staunchly anti-slavery and became part of the Underground Railroad in late 1856 and helped Lawrence after Quantrill's Raid. In 1862, construction of Beecher Bible and Rifle Church was completed. The church building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1971.
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