About Holy Trinity · Little River, Kansas
Holy Trinity Catholic Church is a small rural parish in Little River, Kansas, belonging to the Diocese of Wichita. The parish traces its origins to 1884, when a priest first began traveling on horseback to celebrate Mass in family homes, and it was formally established as a mission in 1885. The current church was built in 1968 under Fr. James Hoagland and dedicated on September 7, 1969. Holy Trinity serves about 48 registered families (134 individual Catholics) and is currently pastored by Fr. Babu (Bob) Pinninti of St. Paul in Lyons, with Fr. Edmond Kline assigned as sacramental priest in residence since July 1, 2021. The parish is well known locally for its remarkable practice of continuous Eucharistic Adoration from Sunday morning through Tuesday morning each week.
- Established
- 1885
- Patron
- Holy Trinity
- Rector
- Rev. Babu (Bob) Pinninti
- Diocese
- Diocese of Wichita
Why belong here
Holy Trinity offers the full rhythm of Catholic life in a small, close-knit rural community: daily and weekend Mass, confession before every Mass, and an extraordinary commitment to perpetual Eucharistic Adoration running continuously from Sunday morning until Tuesday morning each week. With just 48 registered families it has the feel of a parish family, while still drawing on the broader pastoral support of St. Paul Parish in Lyons. It is a parish where you can know your priest, pray before the Blessed Sacrament for hours on end, and walk in the footsteps of Catholics who have worshipped here since 1885.
Mass times at Holy Trinity
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- 30 minutes before all Masses
Adoration times
- Continuous Eucharistic Adoration: Sunday 9:00 AM through Tuesday 7:00 AM
Our History
Catholic life in Little River began almost with the town itself. Little River was established on June 1, 1880, and Fr. Bernard Vanderlage soon became the first priest to serve the area, traveling on horseback to offer Mass in family homes. In 1884 Rev. James Hartmann of Hutchinson was named pastor of the Holy Trinity mission, and the first church was dedicated in 1885. Severe weather damaged that structure in 1909, and a second church was dedicated in 1910. Holy Trinity was a mission for seventy years — until 1951, when Fr. Adolph Stremel of Lyons was assigned as pastor. Fr. Arthur Tonne became the first resident pastor on November 1, 1951, once a rectory was built, and Fr. James Hoagland oversaw construction of the current church, with first Mass on December 1, 1968 and formal dedication September 7, 1969.
- 1880 — City of Little River established
- 1880s — Fr. Bernard Vanderlage, first priest, offers Mass in homes on horseback
- 1884 — Rev. James Hartmann appointed pastor of the mission
- 1885 — First church dedicated
- 1909 — Severe weather damages first church
- 1910 — Second church dedicated
- 1951 — Fr. Adolph Stremel assigned; mission becomes a parish
- Nov. 1, 1951 — Fr. Arthur Tonne becomes first resident pastor
- Dec. 1, 1968 — First Mass in current church
- Sept. 7, 1969 — Current church dedicated
Clergy & Pastoral Leadership
Holy Trinity is currently pastored by Fr. Babu (Bob) Pinninti, who also serves as pastor of St. Paul Parish in Lyons, and is assisted by Fr. Edmond G. Mary Kline, who was assigned as sacramental priest in residence on July 1, 2021. The parish belongs to the Diocese of Wichita, led by Bishop Carl A. Kemme.
- Rev. Babu (Bob) Pinninti — Pastor (also pastor of St. Paul, Lyons)
- Rev. Edmond G. Mary Kline — Sacramental Priest in Residence (since July 1, 2021)
- Diocese of Wichita — Bishop Carl A. Kemme
Lenten Devotions
During Lent the Friday schedule shifts: Stations of the Cross are prayed at 6:00 PM, followed by Mass at 6:30 PM, in place of the usual 7:00 AM weekday Mass.
- Stations of the Cross — Fridays in Lent, 6:00 PM
- Friday Lenten Mass — 6:30 PM
Homilies & Spiritual Reading
The parish website hosts an archive of homilies by Fr. Edmond Kline, including weekday and Sunday reflections. In his homilies Fr. Kline frequently returns to themes of Eucharistic Adoration, the Sacred Host, reparation, and transformation through prayer, and encourages parents to bring their children to Adoration as a form of mercy and formation in prayer.
- Fr. Edmond Kline weekday and Sunday homily archive on the parish site
- Recurring themes: Eucharistic Adoration, Sacred Host, reparation, transformation, family prayer
Becoming a Member
Visitors and newcomers are invited to register with the parish through the Parish Membership Form available on the parish website. The About page on the site opens with a direct invitation: 'Welcome to Holy Trinity! Do You Want to Be a Member? Click ABOUT.'
- Parish Membership Form available on the website
- Approximately 48 registered families / 134 individual Catholics (Diocese of Wichita listing)
Weekly Bulletin
The parish publishes a weekly bulletin for announcements, Mass intentions, and community news, with current bulletins posted on the parish website at holytrinitylittleriver.com/bulletin/.
- Bulletin posted weekly at holytrinitylittleriver.com/bulletin/
Giving & Stewardship
Donations to Holy Trinity are coordinated through the parish's bank relationship. The About page directs donors to contact Brenda Wright at People's State Bank in Little River for giving information.
- Donations: contact Brenda Wright, People's State Bank, Little River — 620-897-6218
Visit & Contact
Holy Trinity Catholic Church sits at 455 Harrison Street in Little River, Kansas, with a mailing address of PO Box 32, Little River, KS 67457. The parish can be reached by phone at (620) 897-6443 or by email at [email protected]. The parish is a member of the Diocese of Wichita.
- Address: 455 Harrison Street, Little River, KS 67457
- Mailing: PO Box 32, Little River, KS 67457
- Phone: (620) 897-6443
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://holytrinitylittleriver.com
- Diocese of Wichita
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Bernard Vanderlagecirca 1880s
First priest to establish a mission to Catholics in Little River; traveled by horseback to offer Mass in family homes.
- Rev. James Hartmann1884–
Of Hutchinson; appointed as pastor of the Holy Trinity mission in 1884. First church dedicated under his care in 1885.
- Fr. Adolph Stremel1951
Of Lyons; assigned as Holy Trinity's first pastor (the parish had been a mission for 70 years).
- Fr. Arthur TonneNov. 1, 1951–
First resident pastor of Holy Trinity after a rectory was built.
- Fr. James Hoagland
Pastor in residence who built the current church. First Mass in the new church offered Dec. 1, 1968; formal dedication Sept. 7, 1969.
- Fr. Babu (Bob) Pinninticurrent
Pastor of St. Paul in Lyons; also serves as current pastor of Holy Trinity, Little River.
- Fr. Edmond G. Mary KlineJuly 1, 2021–
Assigned as sacramental priest in residence.