Chronology of St. Mary's Parish
Chronology of St. Mary’s Parish
Pittsburg, Kansas
Prior to 1881, Pittsburg area Catholics were visited irregularly by priests from the Osage Indian Mission founded by Jesuits in 1847 at what is now St. Paul, Kansas. As early as 1830, Jesuit missionaries from St. Louis were active among the Indian tribes of Southeast Kansas.
The Osage Mission, present day St. Paul, Kansas
1881- A group of Catholics commenced attending Mass in the Odd Fellows’ Hall at 6th and Locust, led by Reverend Eugenio Bononcini from the church in Scammon, Kansas.
Rev. Eugenio Bononcini
1883- The first Mass was celebrated on May 26th in the newly build frame church at 8th and Elm.
A picture of the church located at 8th and Elm streets.
1884- The first full-time pastor was appointed, Father Robert Loeher.
Rev. Robert Loehrer
The wooden frame Church with Fr. Loehrer's two wings.
1885- Father Sigismud Wozing replaces Father Loeher.
1886- Father Eugenio Bonocini and Father Francis Zvocek
1887- The Diocese of Wichita was established, separated from Leavenworth.
1890- Father Joseph Gaydousek
Fr. Joseph Gaydousek
1891- Fathers Eugenio Bonnuncini and Francis Hawalka
Rev. F.S. Hawelka
1893- Father J.A. Pompeney
Rev. J.A. Pompeney
1895- The Catholic Knights of America was formed along with a Ladies’ Auxiliary.
1895- The Sisters of St. Joseph arrived to operate an elementary school.
1896- Father E. M. Coolen
1903- Mt Carmel Hospital was dedicated at what is now Mt. Carmel Road and Atkinson Memorial Drive.
1903- Father James Donohue
1904- Construction of the present church was commenced at 9th and Locust.
1904- A chapter of the Knights of Columbus was chartered.
1905- Father George R. Reinschmidt
A picture of the original interior of the church before the adding of the two trancepts in 1931.
The three altars of the original church.
1912- The Newman club was organized at the State Manual Training Normal (Now PSU)
1912- Father J.A. Pompeney
1915- The elementary school was re-opened, having been closed since 1906.
1921- A Daughters of Isabella was organized.
1922- The Alter Society was organized.
1924- The new two story elementary school was first occupied.
1928- Father Patrick J. McCullough succeeded Father Pompeney.
Rev. Patrick C. McCullough
1931- The Church was rededicated after the adding of the two trancepts.
A picute of the church after the adding of the two trancepts in 1931.
A picture of the church after the 1931 addition of the trancepts and renovation of the interior.
1933- The Golden Jubilee of the first church structure was celebrated.
1936- The first High School freshman class was enrolled.
1937- A third story was added to the elementary school to accommodate high school students and provide a gymnasium/auditorium.
A picture of the old elementry school after the addition of the thrid story.
1940- The high school was accredited by the state of Kansas
1947- Father Neil Diver succeeded Father Patrick J. McCullough.
Rev. Neil Diver
1949- Fr. Alex Stremel (later Monsignor Stremel) suceeded Fr. Neil Diver.
1949- A new rectory was opened for use.
1951- The first basketball game was played in the newly opened Msgr. McCullough Memorial Gymnasium.
1952- A new convent was occupied at 9th and Locust.
1952- The passion play “Calvary Hill” was first performed—the first of five annual presentations
A aerial photo of the Parish grounds prior to the construction of the present day High School Building
1953- The Newman Club acquired real estate at Elm and Cleveland Streets adjoining the Kansas State Teachers College campus for its Center. (Formerly the College Inn)
1954- The Knights of Columbus celebrated its Golden Jubilee.
1960- The newly constructed St. Mary’s High School was occupied. (Now Colgan High School)
1963- Father Charles Smith succeeded Monsignor Alex G. Stremel.
1967- Father Francis J. Baumstark succeeded Father Charles Smith.
1968- The all new St. Pius X Catholic Newman Center was occupied at Elm and Cleveland.
1969- The renovation of Our Lady of Lourdes was completed.
1970- Father Edward J. Steinberger succeeded Father Francis J. Baumstark.
1971- The new Mt. Carmel Medical Center at Centennial Drive and Rouse was occupied.
1981- Plans were made to celebrate the centennial of the first group of area Catholic to join together for services outside their homes.
1981- Father Ivan Eck succeeded Father Edward J. Steinberger.
Fr. Ivan Eck
1981- The St. Mary’s Centennial Day was October 11th.
4th Degree member of the Knights of Columbus.
Left: Most Reverent David M. Maloney, D.D., J.D.C., Bishop of the Diocese of Wichita Right: The Centenial Mass is celebrated at J.J. Richards band dome in Lincoln Park.
Fr. Ivan Eck
1991- In 1991 a campaign was started to build a new Activity center and renovate the church.
Photos from the 1991 Renovation of the Church
First mass held after the renovation
Activity Center Construction
A picture from when the Activity Center was orginally Contructed
1998- Threshold to Tommorow was campaign which added a new Jr. High wing to the High School along with renovation of the High School.
Junior High School Adition Groundbreaking
A photo of the complete Junior High addition to the High School
High School Auditorium Photos
2004- The plans to add a new elementry school and gymnasium were announced. The new facilities were made possible by the generous donations of doners never to be revealed.
Groundbreaking
Fr. Tom Stroot and Principal Pat Forbes
Construction
Fieldhouse Gymnasium construction photo.
After the completion of the 2005-2006 school year the old elemntary school building was demolished.
Pastor Fr. Tom Stroot stands amongst the the remains of the old elementary shool.
A simple blessing ceremony was held before the begining of teh 2006-2007 school year.
Bishop Michael Jakels bishop of the Diocese of Wichita presided over the formal dedication of the two new facilities in the fall of 2006.
At the end of the 2006-2007 school year plans were announced to renovate the High School. A new commons area was added, new lockers were installed along with the renovation of the offices and some of the classrooms.
Photos from the High School Renovation.
During the fall of the 2007-2008 school year the renovations were completed and a simple dedication ceremony was held in the new commons area.
On the Feast of Corpus Christin in 2009 Our Lady of Lourdes opened Christ the King adoation chapel located chapel of the old convent.
The chapel was opened with a solemn Eucharistic Procession from the Church around the campus ending at the new chapel.
In 2010 new parish offices were opened.
The building before renovations.
The building following renovations
Sources of information:
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Our Lady of Lourdes Diamond Jubilee Book by R. Rev. Monsignor Alex G. Stremel (the Jubilee was celebrated
November 18, 1956; Monsignor Stremel used newspaper accounts from the Pittsburg Headlight and Sun, Pittsburg Smelter and from parish records [DJB] -
St. Mary's Parish Centennial Souvenir Book (October 11, 1981 by Mrs. April Gauldin) [CSB]
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The Catholic Advance special Wichita Centennial Edition (1969) [WCA]