About Most Pure Heart of Mary · Topeka, Kansas
Most Pure Heart of Mary is a large, active Roman Catholic parish in southwest Topeka, Kansas, founded in 1946 and now home to over 70 ministries, groups, and organizations. The parish belongs to the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas and operates an affiliated Catholic grade school (Pre-K through 8th) along with the Krische Child Development Center. Most Pure Heart of Mary is distinguished by its perpetual Eucharistic Adoration chapel (maintained by volunteer adorers since 1990), a Cathedral-tradition music program, and a parish rectory completed in 2019. The parish mission — imitating the heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary by loving God, loving neighbor, and bringing Christ to others — shapes its faith formation, liturgical, and outreach ministries.
- Established
- 1946
- Patron
- The Most Pure Heart of Mary (Blessed Virgin Mary)
- Rector
- Fr. Daniel Morris (Parochial Administrator, effective July 1, 2026) — succeeding Fr. Nathan Haverland, who served 2020–2026 and is being reassigned as Pastor of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Shawnee, KS.
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas
Why belong here
Most Pure Heart of Mary is a large, vibrant parish with over 70 ministries, organizations, and small groups — there is genuinely something for every age and stage of life. Families can enroll children in the parish Catholic school (Pre-K through 8th) or the Krische Child Development Center, while adults can grow through RCIA, That Man is You, Legion of Mary, faith-formation workshops, retreats, and book studies. The parish's perpetual Eucharistic Adoration chapel, multiple Sunday Masses, and full liturgical ministry program (choirs, cantors, lectors, extraordinary ministers, altar servers, art & environment) make it easy to plug in, and outreach ministries like Communio put faith into practice by serving neighbors in need.
Mass times at Most Pure Heart of Mary
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 2:45–3:45 PM
- Wednesday 12:00–1:00 PM
- First Saturday of the month 7:00–7:45 AM
Adoration times
- Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration since 1990 (adorers commit to a specific hour to keep watch)
- Open hours for visiting: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Parish History & Founding Story
Most Pure Heart of Mary was established in August 1946 when 136 families moved from Holy Name parish in Topeka to begin a new community. Fr. John O'Connor was the founding pastor. The first Masses were held in the basement chapel of St. Vincent's Orphanage (run by the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth), whose building still stands in the middle of the parish property at 1800 SW Stone and now houses the parish offices. The parish school began in that same basement in 1947 and quickly outgrew it.
- 1946: Parish established with 136 families; first Mass in St. Vincent's basement
- 1947: School opens in St. Vincent's basement
- 1950–1951: New school building constructed; Thanksgiving Day Mass in chapel that became the gym
- 1952: School moves into its own eight-classroom building
- 1961: Current church first Mass on Easter Sunday (Kansas Centennial); cornerstone & time capsule placed
- 1982: Parish Formation Center completed (O'Connor Hall, meeting rooms, Christian Formation offices)
- 1983: St. Vincent's orphanage closes; portions refurbished for parish offices and 6th–8th grade
- 1990: Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Chapel opens in north transcept; endowment fund established with Catholic Foundation of Northeast Kansas
- 1995: Krische Child Development Center opens
- 2003: 15-classroom addition allows Pre-K through 8th grade under one roof
- 2019: New parish rectory completed (fully funded by endowed gift)
- 2022: Extended narthex with arched entryways opened (One Heart Capital Campaign)
- 2022 (Aug 15): 75th anniversary Mass with Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann
- 2024–2025: Interior church renovations (walls, sanctuary, lighting, carpet)
Parish Staff & School Leadership
The parish team includes clergy, liturgical, faith-formation, and administrative staff, with a parallel leadership team at Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic School.
- Fr. Nathan Haverland — Pastor
- Fr. Theodulus Tanti — Parochial Vicar
- Marie Apel — Parish Coordinator
- Teddy Reiser — Finance Administrator
- Leslie Koerner — Receptionist
- Lucas Tappan — Director of Music & Liturgy
- Jessica Hellmer — Communio Ministry Coordinator
- Sarah Holthaus — Director of Faith Formation
- Katie Tappan — Youth Religious Education
- Chris Ferguson — Maintenance Coordinator
- Frank Twombly — Church & Parish Center Custodian
- Eric White — School Principal
- Stacey McBride — Assistant Principal
- Ana Collazo — Social-Emotional Support Specialist
- Kristin Colter — School Secretary
- Erin Mohwinkle — Director of Marketing/Enrollment & Development
- Sue Schuster — Business Secretary
Liturgical Ministries
The parish runs a robust liturgical ministry program with multiple music ensembles and roles at the altar, in the sanctuary, and at the doors.
- MPHM Schola Cantorum — youth choir in the Cathedral tradition
- MPHM Adult Choir (rehearsals Thursday evenings)
- Praise Ringers — adult handbell choir
- Cantor program
- Organ/Keyboard musicians
- Folk Groups
- Altar Servers
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (including Homebound Communion)
- Lectors
- Sacristan Assistants
- Welcome Team — Greeters and Ushers
- Art & Environment
Growing in Faith — Formation & Small Groups
The 'Growing in Faith' umbrella covers lifelong faith formation for children, youth, and adults, plus ongoing workshops, retreats, and book studies.
- RCIA — Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults
- Faith Formation for children and youth (Director: Sarah Holthaus; Youth Religious Education: Katie Tappan)
- Legion of Mary — prayer and works of mercy, annual Marian consecration
- That Man is You — men's faith program
- Workshops, guest speakers, book studies, retreats (see parish calendar)
- Sacramental preparation for First Communion, Reconciliation, and Confirmation
Service & Outreach — Communio Ministry
Service and support ministries put the parish's missionary call into practice, helping parishioners 'love neighbor as self' through volunteer work and charitable outreach.
- Communio Ministry (Coordinator: Jessica Hellmer)
- Homebound Communion visits to parishioners in nursing homes and hospitals
- Over 70 parish groups and organizations
- Pastoral Council and Finance Council advising the pastor
Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic School
The parish's Catholic grade school serves Pre-K through 8th grade on a single campus adjacent to the church, including the Krische Child Development Center.
- School address: 1750 SW Stone, Topeka, KS 66604
- School phone: (785) 272-4313
- Grades: Pre-K (Krische Child Development Center) through 8th grade
- Principal: Eric White
- Assistant Principal: Stacey McBride
- School offices staffed by Kristin Colter (School Secretary), Erin Mohwinkle (Marketing/Enrollment & Development), and Sue Schuster (Business Secretary)
- Social-Emotional Support: Ana Collazo
- Most Pure Heart of Mary School Scholarship Fund (est. 2019) consolidates six smaller funds to support Catholic education access
Sacraments
Preparation for each sacrament is offered through the parish school, religious education program, or RCIA process for adults.
- Baptism — contact parish office
- First Eucharist (First Communion) — prepared through religious education or parish school; adults via RCIA
- Confirmation — normally received in 8th grade; adults via RCIA
- Reconciliation (Confession) — prepared through religious education or parish school; regular parish confession schedule offered
- Matrimony — contact parish office for marriage preparation
- Anointing of the Sick — contact the parish office
Visit, Contact & Pastoral Leadership
Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish office by phone, email, or in person during weekday office hours.
- Church address: 3601 SW 17th Street, Topeka, KS 66604
- Parish Office address: 1800 SW Stone, Topeka, KS 66604
- Phone: (785) 272-5590
- Email: [email protected]
- Office hours: Monday–Friday 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
- Diocese: Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas
- Adoration inquiries: [email protected]
- Pastoral Council — advisory body reflective of parish diversity
- Finance Council — advises the pastor on use of parish financial and endowed resources
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. John O'Connor1946–1962
First pastor; led the founding 136 families out of Holy Name parish
- Fr. Francis Krische1962–1973
- Fr. John 'Jack' Quinlan1973–1983
- Fr. Thomas Culhane1983–2007
- Fr. Brian Schieber2007–2013
- Fr. Greg Hammes2013–2020
- Fr. Nathan Haverland2020–2026
Led the parish through the 75th anniversary (2022), narthex expansion, and 2024–2025 interior renovation; reassigned to St. Joseph, Shawnee
- Fr. Daniel Morris2026–
Incoming Parochial Administrator per Archdiocesan decree of May 2026; continues as Director of Seminarians