One of the most renowned prayers in religious history was first penned by a native of Warren County, who also happens to have found himself among recent political headlines.

On Sunday afternoon, several dozen curious residents crowded into the Immanuel United Church of Christ to learn more about the author of the Serenity Prayer, Reinhold Niebuhr, who was born in Wright City. 

“Everyone is familiar with the Serenity Prayer, but few people are aware the creator of it grew up right here in Wright City,” said event coordinator Marie Hollenbeck. 

Perhaps the most notable theologian and philosopher of his time, Niebuhr’s work was admired and his words often cited by the likes of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and former Presidents Jimmy Carter and Barack Obama.

Former FBI Director James Comey has been using the Twitter handle Reinhold Niebuhr and quoted the theologian on social media Monday.

Parishioners at Immanuel United Church of Christ say they are proud to know that Niebuhr established his roots in their home church. 

“His ideas were shaped right here through his father,” said Hollenbeck. “He always considered himself a Missouri boy.”

Niebuhr was born in Wright City in 1892 and lived there until around age 5, when the family relocated for his father’s work in ministry.

“There’s a sense of pride from the community, and I think they should know the history behind this church,” said member Mary Groeper.

Visitors listened to insight from the Rev. Dr. David Greenhaw, before watching a PBS documentary about Neibuhr, a controversial yet instrumental figure from the 1930s until his passing in 1971. The film is “An American Conscience: The Reinhold Niebuhr Story.”

He began his career as a minister but was hired as a professor in 1928 and would serve in that capacity for 32 years.

“Our goal was to make people more aware of the contributions that Reinhold has made and continues to make nationally and really worldwide and to remind them that his roots are right here in Wright City. When we think of notable Warren Countians, I think he should be right at the top of our list, and yet so few people know him.”

Niebuhr was a target of the FBI for many years due to his unique philosophy and belief system, but he would eventually be rewarded with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1964.

“He came from very humble beginnings and a small town and went on to lead a very impactful life,” said Hollenbeck. “We hope that people will be more cognizant of that now after having this event.”

Rev. Dr. David Greenhaw, left, president of Eden Seminary, and Roland Niemann, Immanuel United Church of Christ church council president at the Reinhold Niebuhr presentation at the church Oct. 29. Niebuhr was an influencial theologist who spend his early childhood in Wright City. His father was a pastor at the United Church of Christ. Record photo/Derrick Forsythe.