Parishioners at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Council Grove have returned to their renovated church building after extensive repairs. The congregation had been gathering in St. Rose Hall for Mass since last winter, when frozen pipes caused flooding and significant damage to the sanctuary.

The first Mass back in the restored space took place on August 31, coinciding with the 30th anniversary of the church’s original construction, which was completed in September 1995. Fr. Paul Oborny oversaw the planning, building, and dedication of the church at that time, with Bishop Eugene Gerber presiding over its official dedication Mass on October 29, 1995.

Recent renovations included new tile for the altar, updated carpeting throughout the building, reupholstered pews, fresh paint, new exterior doors, and a remodeled women’s restroom. The facility houses a renovated sanctuary and sacristy, offices, eleven classrooms, a choir loft or balcony, restrooms, and storage areas. Fr. Andrew Seiler currently serves as pastor.

Following Mass on August 31, parishioners gathered for an indoor picnic featuring pulled pork and potluck dishes. Bingo games were held with prizes such as gift cards to local businesses and a $50 blackout prize.

The history of Catholicism in Kansas dates back to 1541 when Fr. Juan de Padilla accompanied Coronado on his visit to Quivira in what is now Rice County; Padilla was martyred a year later at an unknown location.

The original church structure in Council Grove—now called St. Rose Chapel—was built in 1883 and served until the present church was constructed thirty years ago. Before that time, Masses were likely held in private homes.

St. Rose Chapel is open during the Santa Fe Trail Symposium in Council Grove due to its local historical significance.

In 1943, German prisoners of war from Camp Fremont helped build a vestibule addition onto St. Rose Chapel under stone mason Bill Krause’s supervision.

Franciscan priests from Emporia ministered at St. Rose until 1902 when the Diocese of Wichita assigned Fr. Michael Casey as its first priest; Corpus Christi Church in Skiddy operated as a mission to St. Rose until it closed in 1950.

Additional buildings have stood on the campus over time—including a two-story frame structure used as rectory, school, and convent; a parish rectory created from a relocated rural schoolhouse in 1951; and a brick school built east of the church in 1955 that enrolled up to fifty-six students before closing in 1963.

After serving as a parish hall for several decades post-closure of the school building—which was later razed—a new parish hall opened on that site in 2015.

Other developments include construction of a new rectory north of the church in 2008 and expansion of parking lots both north and south of the building; these replaced houses and mobile homes previously used for religious education or clergy housing.

Since 1902, thirty-one priests from the Diocese of Wichita have served at St. Rose.