About Immaculate Heart of Mary · Hays, Kansas
Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish (IHM) is a Roman Catholic parish in Hays, Kansas, part of the Diocese of Salina. The parish traces its roots to 1953, when the Capuchin friars at St. Joseph's Parish built a second worship site on the east side of the growing town; it was formally established as its own parish in 1967. Today's IHM worships in a 25,000-square-foot, 1,000-seat church dedicated in March 2010. The parish is bilingual (English and Spanish), offers Perpetual Adoration in its chapel, runs a Catholic grade school (Holy Family Elementary) jointly with the other Hays parishes, and serves the wider community through groups such as the Knights of Columbus, the Daughters of Isabella, CYO youth ministry, and Hispanic Ministry.
- Established
- 1967
- Patron
- Immaculate Heart of Mary (Blessed Virgin Mary)
- Rector
- Fr. Nick Parker
- Diocese
- Diocese of Salina
Why belong here
Immaculate Heart of Mary is a large, bilingual parish that makes Catholic life accessible in many forms — four Sunday Masses (including a Spanish Mass), daily Mass Monday through Saturday, and the Sacrament of Reconciliation four times a week. Its chapel hosts Perpetual Adoration, and the parish supports a full spectrum of ministries: Knights of Columbus Council 6984, Daughters of Isabella, CYO youth ministry, religious education and OCIA for adults, Hispanic Ministry, adult faith formation, and parish-wide stewardship. Families can send their children to Holy Family Elementary School, which IHM co-sponsors with the other Hays parishes.
Mass times at Immaculate Heart of Mary
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Thursday 5:00 PM
- Friday 12:00 PM
- Saturday 3:00 PM
- Sunday 5:00 PM
- Or by appointment (contact Fr. Nick Parker)
Adoration times
- Perpetual Adoration in the chapel
About Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish
Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church is a welcoming, bilingual parish in Hays, Kansas, served by the Diocese of Salina. Pastor Fr. Nick Parker and the parish staff describe IHM as a vibrant community centered on the love of Christ and committed to serving God and one another. The parish offers Mass in English and Spanish, daily and weekend Masses, Perpetual Adoration, Reconciliation four days a week, religious education and OCIA for adults, youth ministry through the Hays CYO, and many parish organizations.
History of the Parish
IHM traces its roots to 1953, when Capuchin friars from St. Joseph's Parish built a church-school complex on the east side of Hays; the complex was dedicated in 1954 and the parish was formally erected in 1967. For decades, parishioners worshipped in the school auditorium. A $6 million capital campaign launched in 2000 funded a new church: ground was broken in late 2007 and the 25,000-square-foot, 1,000-seat building was dedicated in March 2010. In 1983, the eastern portion of the parish — about 400 families — was carved off to form St. Nicholas of Myra Parish.
- 1953 — Capuchins at St. Joseph's receive permission to build east-side complex
- 1954 — Complex dedicated
- 1967 — Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish formally established
- 1983 — Eastern portion split off to create St. Nicholas of Myra Parish
- 2000 — $6 million church capital campaign announced
- Late 2007 — Groundbreaking for the new church
- March 2010 — New 25,000-sq-ft, 1,000-seat church dedicated
Pastoral Staff & Office
The parish is led by Pastor Fr. Nick Parker, with Fr. Luke Friess serving as Parochial Vicar and Deacon David Kisner assisting. Lay staff include a business manager, Hispanic Ministry coordinator, OCIA/Religious Education director, CYO director, music & liturgy coordinator, administrative assistant and maintenance coordinator. The parish office is open Monday–Thursday 8:00 AM–12:00 PM and 1:00–5:00 PM, and Friday 8:00 AM–12:00 PM (closed Friday afternoons).
- Fr. Nick Parker — Pastor ([email protected], ext. 103)
- Fr. Luke Friess — Parochial Vicar
- Deacon David Kisner
- Debbie Nunnelee — Business Manager (ext. 102)
- Brad Stramel — Office Administrative Assistant
- Irene Guzman — Hispanic Ministry (ext. 112)
- Jackie Brown — Director of Religious Education (K–8) & OCIA (ext. 108)
- Marc Hertel — Hays CYO Director (ext. 104)
- Jazmin Aguilar — Music & Liturgy Coordinator
- Larry Dinkel — Maintenance Coordinator
Parish Life & Ministries
Immaculate Heart of Mary identifies itself as a stewardship parish, encouraging members to share their gifts of time, talent, and treasure. A wide range of organizations and ministries serve every age and interest, from men's and women's fraternal organizations to youth, Hispanic, and adult faith-formation programs. The parish runs an annual Stewardship Renewal and publishes a Ministry Brochure.
- Knights of Columbus Council 6984 (Catholic men 18+)
- Daughters of Isabella Circle 254
- Hays CYO youth ministry
- Hispanic Ministry (Irene Guzman)
- Religious Education (K–8) and OCIA
- Adult Faith Formation: Bible studies, Tuesday Discussion Group, Hays Catholic Young Adults, Hays Catholic Moms Ministry
- Stewardship Renewal program
- Finance Council and Pastoral Council
- Music & Liturgy ministry
- Eucharistic Ministry to the Homebound
Sacraments
IHM celebrates all seven Catholic sacraments and provides preparation programs for each. The parish notes that, beginning in Fall 2026, it will be transitioning to the Restored Order of the Sacraments for Confirmation and First Communion.
- Baptism — prep classes recommended; contact parish office
- Reconciliation — Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun (see schedule) or by appointment
- Confirmation — Restored Order transition beginning 2026–2027 school year
- Eucharist / Holy Communion — including Ministry to the Sick and Homebound
- Marriage — couples contact the parish office to begin preparation
- Anointing of the Sick — call the parish office to schedule
- Holy Orders / Vocations — inquiries directed to Fr. Nick Parker
Holy Family Elementary School
IHM co-sponsors Holy Family Elementary School in Hays with the other two Catholic parishes in town (St. Joseph and St. Nicholas of Myra). Located at 1800 Milner Street, the school serves preschool through sixth grade with a Catholic identity and the motto 'Live, love, and learn.' IHM students are eligible to attend.
- 1800 Milner St., Hays, KS 67601
- Phone: (785) 625-3131
- Principal: Mandy Meagher; Vice Principal: Alicia Knight
- Preschool through 6th grade
- Co-sponsored by IHM, St. Joseph, and St. Nicholas of Myra parishes
Contact & Directions
Parishioners and visitors can reach Immaculate Heart of Mary at 1805 Vine Street, Hays, Kansas 67601, phone (785) 625-7339, fax (785) 625-7643. The office is open Monday through Thursday, 8:00 AM–12:00 PM and 1:00–5:00 PM, and Friday 8:00 AM–12:00 PM (closed Friday afternoon).
- Address: 1805 Vine Street, Hays, KS 67601
- Phone: (785) 625-7339 | Fax: (785) 625-7643
- Office Hours: Mon–Thu 8 AM–12 PM & 1–5 PM; Fri 8 AM–12 PM
- From I-70 southbound, take the Vine St./US-183 exit; turn at 18th Street into the parking lot on the right.