Immaculate
Conception Parish
Celebrates “150
Years on this Hill”
Immaculate Conception Parish in
Leavenworth, Kansas, is celebrating
its 150th anniversary with a
series of gala events throughout the
year featuring presentations on the
long history of the parish including
its founding by the Benedictines, its
commissioning as the Cathedral of
the Diocese, its destruction by fire
and rebuilding, and the work there
of the Carmelites and the Sisters of
Charity. Among the events is a
concert of sacred and patriotic by
the Kansas City Chorale, an appreciation
night for all the religious vocations
from the parish, and a parishwide
appreciation picnic lunch.
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Carmelites David McEvoy (pastor) and
Roy Ontiveros (associate pastor) at the
anniversary “kick-off” liturgy |
The parish was in 1864 with the
arrival of Bishop Jean Baptiste
Miege, SJ, the first bishop of the
newly-formed Diocese of Leavenworth
Kansas (a diocese then
encompassing seven states). The
first church, dedicated in 1868, was
built as his cathedral and was a
magnificent gothic structure, the
largest church building between
Saint Louis and San Francisco. In
1947, the Diocese was transferred
to Kansas City, Kansas, and the
church became known as “the Old
Cathedral. In December of 1961
this magnificent church was
destroyed by fire. The present
church was then begun in 1962
and dedicated in May 31 of 1964.
For further information on the
Parish or its 150th anniversary celebration
you can visit the parish’s
website at www.icsj.org.
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