About Prince of Peace · Olathe, Kansas
Prince of Peace Catholic Church is a large Roman Catholic parish in Olathe, Kansas, founded in 1979 and now one of the largest Catholic parishes in the state. It belongs to the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas and is led by Pastor Fr. Greg Hammes, with assistance from a Senior Associate Pastor in Residence (Fr. Francis Hund), a Parochial Vicar (Fr. Andrew Gaffney), and five Permanent Deacons. The parish campus at 16000 W. 143rd Street houses the church, a K-8 parish school (Prince of Peace Catholic School, designated a School of Excellence with about 500 students), and an Early Education Center. Worship is offered in multiple daily and weekend Masses, with Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration in the Adoration Chapel and a rich calendar of faith formation, youth, and outreach ministries.
- Established
- 1979
- Patron
- Prince of Peace (Jesus Christ)
- Rector
- Fr. Greg Hammes
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas
Why belong here
Prince of Peace welcomes more than 2,000 families into a parish life anchored by seven weekend and weekday Masses, Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration in a dedicated Adoration Chapel, and a complete K-8 parish school and Early Education Center on one campus. Members of all ages are invited into a wide range of faith formation tracks — Children's Ministry (K-6), Junior High, High School, Young Adult, and Adult Formation — together with a strong Sacramental Preparation program for First Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation. A deep stewardship and service culture channels parishioners into ministries such as St. Mary's Food Kitchen, Catholic Charities Food Drives, St. Dismas Prison Ministry, Knights of Columbus, Pans in Vans, Ministries of the Sick & Homebound, and the Social Concerns & Justice Committee.
Mass times at Prince of Peace
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesdays: Noon
- Saturdays: 3:30 PM
- First Fridays at 6:00 PM
- First Saturdays at 9:00 AM
Adoration times
- Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration in the Adoration Chapel (begun January 1, 1997)
- Mondays: 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM
- Tuesdays: 4:00 AM – 6:00 AM, 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM (break for daily Mass)
- Wednesdays: 4:00 AM – 6:00 AM, 2:00 PM – 11:00 PM (break for Mass, cleaning and confessions)
- Thursdays: 9:00 AM – 12:00 AM
- Fridays: 12:00 AM – 6:00 AM, 9:00 AM – 11:00 PM (break for daily Mass)
- General Chapel access when building is unlocked: 5:30 AM – 9:00 PM, Monday–Friday
Parish Overview & Welcome
Prince of Peace is a large, vibrant Catholic community in Olathe, Kansas, anchored by its mission: 'Abiding together in Christ, the Prince of Peace, we strive to love God with all our hearts, to love our neighbors as ourselves, and to make disciples of all people.' The parish describes itself as a community of faith in the Roman Catholic tradition, empowered by the Holy Spirit and committed to a Stewardship way of life. Pastor Fr. Greg Hammes invites newcomers and visitors alike, asking each member in turn to discover how they can serve others.
- Founded 1979
- One of the largest Catholic parishes in Kansas
- Part of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas
- Mission rooted in John 15:5 and Matthew 22:37-39; 28:19-20
Our Story — Parish History
Prince of Peace was born as the 'daughter parish' of St. Paul Catholic Church (founded 1864) to serve Olathe's rapidly growing Catholic population. Archbishop Ignatius Strecker initiated the new parish in 1979, and Fr. Charles Andalikiewicz celebrated the first Masses with 400 families on September 8–9, 1979. The parish moved through temporary worship sites before groundbreaking on the 143rd and Brougham campus on September 30, 1984, opening the church on Christmas Eve 1986 and dedicating it February 22, 1987. Successive pastors — Fr. Robert Bergman (Project H.O.P.E., 1988), Fr. George Bertels (permanent church built, 1991), Fr. Frank Burger (Cornerstone placed, Perpetual Adoration begun January 1, 1997, Early Education Center and Project G.I.F.T., 1996) — shepherded growth to over 2,000 families. Fr. Greg Hammes was welcomed as pastor in 2020.
- 1979: Parish founded by Archbishop Ignatius Strecker
- 1986: Church opened Christmas Eve
- 1987: Church and school dedicated (Feb. 22)
- 1996: First Mass in new permanent church (June 30)
- 1997: Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration begins (Jan. 1)
- 1999-2000: Early Education Center opens
- 2001: Project G.I.F.T. capital campaign launched
Meet Our Clergy & Staff
The pastoral team is led by Fr. Greg Hammes (Pastor), with Fr. Francis Hund serving as Senior Associate Pastor in Residence and Fr. Andrew Gaffney as Parochial Vicar. Five Permanent Deacons — Deacon Joe Allen, Deacon Leon Suprenant, Deacon Mike Denning, and Deacon Justin Reuter — round out the clergy. A broad staff supports Liturgy (Suzanne Goff), Music (Harrison Sheckler, Music Director), Faith Formation (April Bailey, Director of Faith Formation; Karl Osman, Adult Faith Coordinator; Chance Hastings, Youth Minister), the parish school (Caitlyn Allen, Principal), the Early Education Center (Jamie Wessel), Parish Life (Larissa Smith), and operations (John Meyers, Parish Manager; Paula Hutton, Accountant/HR; Linda Murray, Parish Secretary).
- Fr. Greg Hammes — Pastor
- Fr. Francis Hund — Sr. Associate Pastor, in Residence
- Fr. Andrew Gaffney — Parochial Vicar
- Deacons Joe Allen, Leon Suprenant, Mike Denning, Justin Reuter
- April Bailey — Director of Faith Formation
- Chance Hastings — Youth Minister
- Caitlyn Allen — Principal, Prince of Peace Catholic School
- Harrison Sheckler — Music Director
- Jamie Wessel — Director, Early Education Center
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish provides formation for every age — Children's Ministry (K-6), Junior High, High School, Young Adult, and Adult Formation — through the School of Religion and Confirmation Prep programs. Children's Ministry is directed by April Bailey, with Chance Hastings serving as Youth Minister and Confirmation Coordinator. Sacramental Preparation for First Reconciliation, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation requires a two-year program for non-school children in grades 1–8.
- Children's Ministry (K-6)
- Junior High faith formation
- High School faith formation
- Young Adult ministry
- Adult Formation (incl. Adult Faith Coordinator & Annulment Advocate)
- Becoming Catholic (RCIA)
- Bible Studies
Prince of Peace Catholic School
Prince of Peace Catholic School is a parish Kindergarten through 8th-grade school located on the Olathe campus, sharing faculty and facilities with the parish. It serves children from Prince of Peace Parish, Saint John Paul II Parish in Olathe, and Divine Mercy Parish in Gardner, as well as any family seeking a Catholic education, with approximately 500 students and around 35 highly qualified teachers. The school is recognized as a School of Excellence and is led by Principal Caitlyn Allen with an Assistant Principal on staff.
- K-8 parish school on the Olathe campus
- About 500 students; ~35 teachers
- Designated a School of Excellence
- School Office: 913-764-0650
Early Education Center (EEC)
Opened by Fr. Frank Burger with the 1999–2000 school year, the Early Education Center offers classes for two-, three-, and four-year-olds along with a Kindergarten Plus program and after-school care for students in grades 1–6. It is directed by Jamie Wessel with an Assistant Director, supported by an Office Manager. The EEC Office can be reached at 913-829-2728.
- Programs for ages 2, 3, and 4
- Kindergarten Plus
- After-school care for grades 1-6
- EEC Office: 913-829-2728
Sacramental Preparation
Children in grades 1–8 who do not attend the parish school and who have not yet received the Sacraments of First Reconciliation, First Holy Communion, or Confirmation are required to complete the parish's two-year preparation program. The parish also welcomes adults into full communion through the Becoming Catholic (RCIA) process.
- First Reconciliation (2-year program)
- First Holy Communion (2-year program)
- Confirmation (2-year program)
- Becoming Catholic / RCIA
Service & Outreach Ministries
Stewardship of time and treasure is a hallmark of parish life. Prince of Peace serves a monthly hot meal at St. Mary's Food Kitchen in Kansas City, supports the Catholic Charities Food Drive on the 4th weekend of every month, and runs the Pans in Vans food-rescue program in partnership with the Olathe School District. The St. Dismas Prison Ministry visits inmates in the Johnson County (Olathe & Gardner) and Wyandotte County detention centers and supports the Mentoring for Success Program for those soon to be released.
- St. Mary's Food Kitchen — 1st Monday of each month
- Catholic Charities Food Drive — 4th weekend
- Pans in Vans — school food rescue
- St. Dismas Prison Ministry
- Ministers of Communion to the Hospital
- Ministries of the Sick & Homebound
- Advent Giving Tree
- Pavilion of Hope
- Social Concerns & Justice Committee
- Knights of Columbus Council #7909
Parish Life & Community
Beyond liturgy and formation, the parish hosts Parish-Wide Events, an annual Pro-Life Tea Party Baby Shower supporting mothers and babies, an Advent Giving Tree, and various parish office, vestment-care, marquee sign, and meal ministries that build community among parishioners and clergy. The 'Bring a Meal to the Priests' ministry delivers meals to the priests on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings.
- Parish-Wide Events
- Pro-Life Tea Party Baby Shower
- Bring a Meal to the Priests
- Marquee Sign Ministry
- Vestment Care / Altar Linen Care
- Parish Office Support
Music & Liturgy
Liturgical worship is supported by a Liturgy Coordinator (Suzanne Goff) and a Music Director (Harrison Sheckler), with Fr. Francis Hund — a former Benedictine College music major — bringing a pastoral love of music that ranges from children's hymns to 12th–21st century church music and musicals like The Sound of Music and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.
- Liturgy Coordinator: Suzanne Goff
- Music Director: Harrison Sheckler
- Active parish choir and music program
Getting Involved & Pastoral Council
The parish Pastoral Council, along with staff and ministry leaders, guides parish life. Numerous ways to serve are organized under 'Ways to Serve,' and the parish welcomes new volunteers for School of Religion, hospitality, the Knights of Columbus, prison ministry, and food ministries.
- Pastoral Council
- Ways to Serve portal on popolathe.org
- Knights of Columbus #7909
- Safe Environment Coordinator (Ashley Vardijan)
Visit & Contact
Prince of Peace is located at 16000 W. 143rd Street, Olathe, KS 66062. The Parish Office (913-782-8864) is open Monday–Thursday 8:00 AM–4:00 PM and Friday 8:00 AM–Noon (summer hours). The School Office can be reached at 913-764-0650 and the Early Education Center at 913-829-2728. A Prayer Request form and bulletin are available online, and the parish maintains an active Facebook page.
- Address: 16000 W. 143rd St, Olathe, KS 66062
- Parish Office: 913-782-8864
- School Office: 913-764-0650
- EEC Office: 913-829-2728
- Summer Parish Office Hours: Mon–Thu 8-4, Fri 8-Noon
- Official Facebook: facebook.com/PrinceOfPeaceCatholicChurchOlathe/
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Charles Andalikiewicz1979–1988
Founding pastor; formerly pastor of St. Paul's; celebrated first Masses Sept. 8–9, 1979 with 400 families at Santa Fe Trail Junior High.
- Fr. Robert Bergman1988–1991
Launched Project H.O.P.E. (Help Our Parish Expand) in fall 1990.
- Fr. George Bertels1991–1996
Formed small neighborhood groups; received Archbishop Keleher's approval to build the permanent church; presided at first Mass in the new church June 30, 1996.
- Fr. Frank Burger1996–~2020
Cornerstone placed and church dedicated Aug. 18, 1996; began Perpet Eucharistic Adoration Jan. 1, 1997; opened Early Education Center in 1999–2000; launched Project G.I.F.T. capital campaign in 2001.
- Fr. Greg Hammes2020–present
Welcomed as pastor in 2020; oversees ongoing capital construction project.