About Old Saint Patrick Oratory · Kansas City, Missouri
Old Saint Patrick Oratory is a Roman Catholic oratory in downtown Kansas City, Missouri, served by the priests of the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest and devoted exclusively to the celebration of the Traditional Latin Mass according to the 1962 Missale Romanum. Established as a parish in 1868 to serve the Irish-Catholic east side of Kansas City, the present church at 806 Cherry Street was begun in 1875 and is the oldest remaining Catholic church building in the city. After being canonically suppressed in 1959 and used as a chapel of ease for decades, the building was entrusted to the Institute of Christ the King in 2005 by Bishop Robert W. Finn, solemnly consecrated in 2008, and has since grown into a thriving community offering catechism, pilgrimages, retreats, and devotions rooted in the classical liturgical tradition of the Roman Rite.
- Established
- 1868 (parish established; present church building begun 1875, first Mass Christmas 1875, completed 1881)
- Patron
- St. Patrick
- Rector
- Canon Michael Stein, Rector (Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Kansas City–St. Joseph
Why belong here
Old Saint Patrick Oratory is one of the only parishes in the region that exclusively celebrates the Traditional Latin Mass according to the 1962 Roman Missal, offering a reverent liturgical life centered on sung Masses, Solemn High Mass, Gregorian chant, and a full schedule of Eucharistic devotions including weekly Holy Hour, First Friday Sacred Heart devotions, First Saturday Benediction, and the monthly Novena to the Infant King. The community provides ongoing faith formation through children's, teenage, and adult catechism classes, and gathers for parish socials like the annual picnic, basketball tournament, pilgrimages (Fatima, Holy Hill, Three Hearts, Shrines & Steins), and fundraising galas for the Sacred Heart Retreat Center — all rooted in a 150-year-old Irish-Catholic parish history and housed in the oldest surviving Catholic church in Kansas City.
Mass times at Old Saint Patrick Oratory
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- 30 minutes before every Holy Mass
- Mon, Wed, Thurs, Fri, Sat: 7:15–7:40 AM
- Tuesday: 5:15–5:55 PM
- Sunday: 9:15–10:10 AM (before 10:30 AM High Mass)
Adoration times
- Friday Holy Hour: 6:00 PM (with Adoration and devotions, except First Friday)
- First Friday: 6:00 PM High Mass followed by Adoration and Sacred Heart Devotions
- First Saturday: 8:00 AM High Mass followed by Rosary, Devotions, and Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament
- Novena to the Infant King: 17th through 25th of each month
About the Oratory
Old Saint Patrick Oratory is a Roman Catholic oratory in downtown Kansas City, Missouri, entrusted by the Diocese of Kansas City–St. Joseph to the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest. It is devoted exclusively to the celebration of the Traditional Latin Mass according to the 1962 Missale Romanum. The Oratory's clergy include Canon Michael Stein (Rector), Canon Pierre Bivouli (Vicar), and Abbé Mark Halisky (Clerical Oblate), with Charles Scozzare serving as Organist and Director of Sacred Music. The Oratory was erected in October 2005 by Bishop Robert W. Finn, with the Institute appointed to oversee its day-to-day life, and the renovated church was solemnly consecrated on October 25, 2008.
- Rector: Canon Michael Stein
- Vicar: Canon Pierre Bivouli
- Clerical Oblate: Abbé Mark Halisky
- Organist & Director of Sacred Music: Charles Scozzare
- Provincial Superior: Rev. Canon Matthew Talarico
- U.S. Vicar General & Delegate: Very Rev. Msgr. R. Michael Schmitz
History
St. Patrick Parish was the third Catholic parish in Kansas City, established in 1868 to serve the Irish-Catholic families who had settled on the city's east side after the Civil War. The original site at 7th and Oak was abandoned in favor of the present corner of 8th and Cherry, where ground was broken in May 1875 and the first Mass was offered on Christmas 1875. The brick building — designed by Kansas City pioneer architect Asa Beebe Cross in the Italianate (Baroque) / Italian Renaissance Revival style — was not fully completed until 1881. The church is the oldest remaining Catholic structure in Kansas City, and is historically notable for having produced three bishops. It was canonically suppressed in 1959 and served as a chapel of ease until 2005, when it was entrusted to the Institute of Christ the King and given a $1.6 million renovation largely completed by volunteer labor.
The Early Years (1868–1875)
The first three months of Mass were offered at Ss. Peter and Paul while property at 7th and Oak was purchased on 24 August 1868 from Peter W. and Julia Ditsch and Nathan and Martha M. Scarritt. The congregation, about 200 families led by Fr. James Halpin, could afford to build only the basement — and only a quarter of that. When Fr. Halpin retired, Fr. James A. Dunn took over and led the move to the present site.
- First pastor: Fr. James Halpin
- Second pastor: Fr. James A. Dunn
- Original site: 7th and Oak Streets
- Present site purchased 1874
Building the Present Church (1875–1881)
Ground was broken May 1875 for a church measuring 120 by 64 feet with seating for 800. Brick for the construction reportedly came from Fr. Donnelly's brickyard and was made by parishioners at less than $5 per thousand; the total cost was approximately $45,000, much of it from Fr. Dunn himself. First Mass was offered on Christmas 1875, the interior was plastered in 1880, and final carpentry was completed in July 1881 under contract with Louis Weishar of Hannibal, Missouri.
- Designed by Asa Beebe Cross, pioneer Kansas City architect
- Style: Italianate (Baroque) / Italian Renaissance Revival
- First Mass: Christmas 1875
- Total cost: ~$45,000
The 20th Century: Suppression and Latin Mass Pilgrimage
In January 1958 the parish was officially called 'old' St. Patrick's to distinguish it from the 'new' St. Patrick across the river in Clay County. By 2 February 1959 the parish had been canonically suppressed and the church served as a chapel of ease from the Cathedral. In 1988 Bishop John Sullivan gave permission for a regular celebration of the Latin Mass using the 1962 pre-Vatican II rite, and in 1994 Bishop Raymond gave the Latin Mass community a home in a city parish. By 2005 the community had grown to about 200 members.
- Three priests became bishops: Glennon, Lillis, Sullivan
- Canonically suppressed 2 February 1959
- Latin Mass community hosted at Our Lady of Sorrows in 1994
Restoration under the Institute of Christ the King (2005–present)
In October 2005 Bishop Robert W. Finn erected the Oratory as the diocese's exclusive Latin Mass church and appointed a priest of the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest (Fr. Denis Buchholz) as pro-rector. A $1.6 million renovation was completed with approximately $500,000 of volunteer labor. Bishop Finn solemnly consecrated the church on October 25, 2008, with Canon William Avis serving as the Institute's first rector. Under Canon Michael Stein (2024–present), the parish launched the Hall to Holiness Campaign, acquiring the adjacent Old Public Library / Ozark National Life Building at 500 East Ninth Street for $3.4 million, and expanded its Sunday Mass schedule to three Masses beginning the First Sunday of Advent 2025.
- Erected as diocesan Latin Mass Oratory: October 2005
- Solemn Consecration: October 25, 2008
- Hall to Holiness Campaign: Old Public Library / Ozark National Life Building purchased for $3.4M
Weekday and Saturday Masses
- Monday, Wednesday, Thursday: 7:45 AM
- Friday: 7:45 AM (except First Friday, which is at 6:00 PM)
- Tuesday: 6:00 PM
- Saturday: 8:00 AM
First Friday and First Saturday
First Friday and First Saturday follow the special devotional schedules common in the Institute of Christ the King parishes: a High Mass followed by devotions, Eucharistic Adoration, and Benediction.
- First Friday: 6:00 PM High Mass followed by Adoration and Sacred Heart Devotions
- First Saturday: 8:00 AM High Mass followed by Rosary, Devotions, and Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament
Faith Formation and Catechism
Old Saint Patrick Oratory provides year-round catechetical formation for children, teenagers, and adults, in keeping with the Institute of Christ the King's emphasis on continual formation in the traditional Catholic faith. Classes meet on alternating Tuesdays at 4:30 PM and are held on the church grounds (in the new hall space, Locust and 8th St. entrance, since 2025).
- Children's Catechism (ages 6–12): 2nd & 4th Tuesdays, 4:30 PM
- Teenage Catechism (ages 13–19): 1st & 3rd Tuesdays, 4:30 PM
- 1st Communion Catechism: designated Saturdays
- Confirmation Catechism (for those 10+ by summer of next year)
- Adult catechesis: 'Getting Acquainted with Aquinas' conferences
Sacraments
All sacraments at the Oratory are celebrated in the traditional rites according to the liturgical books of 1962, as established when the Oratory was erected in 2005. Banns of Marriage are published in the weekly bulletin. Annual Traditional Confirmations are conferred by the Bishop (e.g., August 23, 2025 with Bishop Johnston). First Communions are received at the Solemn High Mass on the Feast of Pentecost.
- Baptism
- Confirmation (annual with the Bishop)
- Eucharist (First Communion at Pentecost Solemn High Mass)
- Marriage (Banns published in bulletin)
- Anointing of the Sick (on request)
- Funerals in the traditional rite
Music and Liturgy
The 8:30 AM Sunday Low Mass is sung with organ, and the 10:30 AM Sunday Mass is celebrated as a High or Solemn High Mass. Charles Scozzare serves as Organist and Director of Sacred Music. The Institute of Christ the King parishes are known for their use of Gregorian chant and sacred polyphony in the liturgy.
- Organist and Director of Sacred Music: Charles Scozzare
- Sunday 8:30 AM Low Mass w/Organ
- Sunday 10:30 AM High or Solemn High Mass
Parish Life and Community
Beyond the liturgical life, the Oratory sponsors an active community with social events, mutual-support groups, and pilgrimages. The Mother of the Visitation group helps parishioners through births, illness, and bereavement, and the Clergy Meal Train provides rotating support for the priests.
- Mother of the Visitation (mutual help for birth, illness, death)
- Clergy Meal Train
- Annual Parish Picnic (September)
- 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament
- Coffee Socials after designated Masses
- Blessing of Sacramentals after Mass on major feasts
Pilgrimages and Retreats
The Oratory is associated with the Sacred Heart Retreat Center and offers an annual calendar of pilgrimages, including the Fatima Pilgrimage (October 10–19, 2026), the Holy Hill Pilgrimage, the Three Hearts Pilgrimage to Clear Creek Abbey, Oklahoma, and the Shrines & Steins Pilgrimage. A fundraising Gala and Golf Outing support the Sacred Heart Retreat Center.
- Annual Fatima Pilgrimage (Oct 10–19, 2026)
- Holy Hill Pilgrimage
- Three Hearts Pilgrimage to Clear Creek Abbey, OK
- Shrines & Steins Pilgrimage
- Annual Fundraising Gala for Sacred Heart Retreat Center
- Golf Outing for Sacred Heart Retreat Center
Hall to Holiness Campaign and Facilities
The Hall to Holiness Campaign is the Oratory's multi-phase plan to acquire and develop facilities for parish life. In its silent phase, the Oratory privately raised over $900,000 and obtained an additional $2.5 million through friendly low-interest loans to purchase the Old Public Library / Ozark National Life Building (500 East Ninth Street) for $3.4 million. The 60,000-square-foot historical landmark completes the city block, giving the parish approximately five times more space than a new-build social hall at roughly one-third the cost. Plans for a new traditional social hall south of the Oratory — designed to complement the historic church — are also part of the campaign.
- Purchased building: Old Public Library / Ozark National Life, 500 East Ninth Street
- Building size: 60,000 sq ft (5x the space at ~1/3 the cost of new construction)
- Campaign: Hall to Holiness (silent phase raised >$900,000; $2.5M in friendly loans)
- Current tenant: Ozark National Life Insurance Company
- Planned new social hall: traditional design south of the Oratory, ~12,000 SF, ~$8.5M
Getting Involved
Parishioners are encouraged to register, volunteer, and participate in both liturgical and parish-life activities. Practical ways to get involved include joining the Clergy Meal Train, the Mother of the Visitation, the Sister Adorers (prayer and crafts), Hall to Holiness donor campaigns, and the annual parish events. Online donations are accepted via the official website.
- Register at the Oratory (forms on bulletin table)
- Clergy Meal Train — email [email protected]
- Mother of the Visitation — email [email protected]
- Sister Adorers — prayer and crafts group
- Hall to Holiness donor packets available
- Online giving via institute-christ-king.org/kansascity-home
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. James Halpin1868–(retired)
First pastor; congregation met initially at Ss. Peter and Paul. Original site at 7th and Oak built only a partial basement.
- Fr. James A. Dunn1870s–1880s
Moved parish to 8th and Cherry; broke ground May 1875; first Mass Christmas 1875; built 1882 school; funded much of the church from his own means; willed school land to the Diocese.
- Fr. Denis Buchholz (Institute of Christ the King)October 2005–
First Institute of Christ the King priest assigned to the Oratory.
- Canon William Avis (Institute of Christ the King)c. 2008
First rector from the Institute; oversaw the October 25, 2008 Solemn Consecration by Bishop Finn.
- Canon Altiere (Institute of Christ the King)c. 2020s
Earlier construction/renovation planning for the social hall under his rectorship.
- Canon Michael Stein (Institute of Christ the King)2024–present
Current rector; led 2024 social-hall plan and the Hall to Holiness Campaign purchase of the adjacent Ozark National Life Building.