Cathedral of St. Peter

History of the Cathedral of St. Peter

Founded December 8, 1907, by Bishop Thomas F. Lillis to serve the growing Catholic population of downtown Kansas City, Kansas, St. Peter's Parish grew rapidly through the early 20th century. The present Gothic Revival church, built of Carthage stone, was dedicated on September 5, 1927. In 1947 the Diocese of Leavenworth was suppressed and reorganized as the Diocese of Kansas City; St. Peter's was selected by Bishop George Donnelly as the new cathedral and consecrated in 1948. The parish marked its centennial in 2006–2007 with a time capsule buried for opening in 2057, and a statue of St. Joseph the Worker was placed in the Centennial Garden. The parish school was consolidated into Resurrection Catholic School in 2008.

Architecture and Interior

The cathedral is a Gothic Revival structure built of Carthage stone, featuring two front spires and a 145-foot bell tower on the southwest corner. The interior emphasizes verticality through ribbed vaulting and detailed stonework, lit by stained-glass windows with blue motifs — a color echoed throughout the interior stenciling. Larger windows near the altar depict Christ the King and other religious figures. The main altar bears the traditional symbol of St. Peter — an inverted cross entwined with keys — and in 2017 a new all-stone altar was installed containing relics of St. Maria Goretti and Pope St. John XXIII. The French-influenced fleur-de-lis motif is incorporated into the parish seal. A recent accessibility enhancement project by Straub Construction added an ADA ramp and stairs.

• Style: Gothic Revival
• Material: Carthage stone (Missouri limestone)
• Bell tower height: 145 feet (44 m)
• Two front spires
• Stained-glass windows in blue motifs
• 2017 stone altar with relics of St. Maria Goretti and Pope St. John XXIII

Faith Formation and Religious Education

The parish offers a comprehensive Faith Formation program for children ages 3 through grade 8, including Catechesis of the Good Shepherd for ages 3–5, the Parvuli Dei ('God's Little Ones') program for ages 3–4, and standard religious education classes for grades K–8. High school youth ministry, Confirmation preparation in grades 10–11, and bilingual youth retreats round out the program. The bilingual youth retreat hosted at the cathedral has drawn around 75 students in grades 7–12 and is directed by the cathedral's director of religious education.

• Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (ages 3–5)
• Parvuli Dei (ages 3–4)
• Faith Formation for ages 4 – Grade 8
• Confirmation Preparation (grades 10–11)
• High School Youth Ministry
• Bilingual youth retreats
• First Reconciliation / First Eucharist preparation
• Safe Environment program (diocesan policy)

Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA / RCIA)

The parish welcomes adults and older children who wish to learn more about the Catholic faith or seek full initiation through Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist. Sessions are led by the parish priest, deacons, and lay leaders, typically meeting on Thursday evenings during the program year. The Easter Vigil is the usual celebration for those preparing for full initiation.

• Sessions led by priest, deacons, and lay leaders
• Thursday evening meetings during the program year
• Full initiation celebrated at the Easter Vigil
• Open to baptized Christians seeking full communion and to those with no religious background

Resurrection Catholic School at the Cathedral

Resurrection Catholic School (RCS) at the Cathedral operates on the parish campus at 425 N. 15th Street. It was formed in 2008 through the consolidation of Cathedral of St. Peter School, All Saints School, St. John the Baptist School, and Holy Family School. The school serves the eastern Wyandotte County Catholic community with enrollment of approximately 150 students in its early years. Phone: (913) 371-8101.

• Address: 425 N. 15th, Kansas City, KS 66102
• Phone: (913) 371-8101
• Formed 2008 from consolidation of four parish schools
• Operates on the Cathedral of St. Peter campus

Clergy and Staff

The cathedral is led by Very Rev. Anthony J. Saiki, J.C.L., who serves as Rector of the Cathedral and Pastor of the Parish of St. Peter, Prince of the Apostles, while also serving as Chancellor and Promoter of Justice of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas. Rev. Keith Chadwick was named part-time Parochial Vicar of the cathedral (and part-time assistant to the Chancellor) effective February 2, 2026, while continuing as the Archbishop's Master of Ceremonies. The cathedral is part of the Archdiocese led by Most Rev. William Shawn McKnight.

• Very Rev. Anthony J. Saiki, J.C.L. — Rector and Pastor
• Rev. Keith Chadwick — Part-time Parochial Vicar (Feb–June 2026)
• Most Rev. William Shawn McKnight — Archbishop of Kansas City in Kansas
• Martha Ramirez — Director of Religious Education