Saint Aloysius

History of St. Aloysius, Ransom

The Catholic congregation at Ransom dates back to the homesteading era. Around 1895, Father John Disselkamp celebrated the first independent Mass for the Catholics of north-central Ness County and southern Trego County at the home of Charles Schreiber east of town. Priests followed at infrequent intervals — once a month to once every two or three months — until the parishioners could build their own church. In 1901 they purchased a warehouse in Ness City for $125, moved it to Ransom, and with donated pews and Stations from St. Mary Parish, McCracken, had a church. By about 1905 St. Aloysius was part of a Capuchin mission district that included St. Mary at Marienthal, St. Anthony at St. Theresa (north of Leoti), and St. Joseph at Scott City, with the Capuchins stationed at Marienthal.

• 1895: First independent Mass at the Schreiber home, Father John Disselkamp
• 1901: Warehouse moved from Ness City as first church; pews/Stations from McCracken
• From 1905: Served within the Capuchin mission district of western Kansas
• 1951: Passes to the new Diocese of Dodge City from the Wichita Diocese

Patron Saint: Aloysius Gonzaga

The church is formally dedicated to St. Aloysius Gonzaga, the Italian Jesuit who died young in 1591 while caring for plague victims in Rome. The parish's formal title 'St. Aloysius Gonzaga Catholic Church, Ransom' is recorded by the Volga German Institute directory. His feast day is celebrated on June 21.

Pastor and Parish Staff

St. Aloysius is currently pastored by Rev. Pascal L. Klein, who also serves as pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in nearby Ness City. The parish staff includes a Director of Religious Education, Katie Flax (phone 785-343-1022), and bookkeeper Andrew Flax. The pastor can be reached through his Ness City number, 785-798-3530.

• Rev. Pascal L. Klein — Pastor
• Katie Flax — Director of Religious Education
• Andrew Flax — Bookkeeper

Sacramental and Devotional Life

Confessions are heard before Sunday Mass on First Sundays (7:45–8:15 a.m.), according to the Discover Mass directory. The Director of Religious Education coordinates faith formation and sacramental preparation for Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, and marriage. Adoration and other devotional services are not listed online.

• Confession: Sundays 7:45–8:15 am on First Sundays
• Religious Education directed by Katie Flax

Parish Life and Ministries

St. Aloysius sustains a small but active Catholic community of roughly 75 registered households, with shared pastoral care alongside Sacred Heart Parish in Ness City. The parish supports faith formation for children and adults through its Director of Religious Education, sacramental preparation, and routine parish bookkeeping and administration.

• Religious Education / Faith Formation
• Shared ministry with Sacred Heart, Ness City
• Parish bookkeeping and administration

St. Aloysius Cemetery

St. Aloysius Cemetery is associated with the parish in Ransom, Ness County, Kansas, and is catalogued through Find a Grave by the Volga German Institute directory. It serves as the resting place for generations of Catholic families from north-central Ness County.

Visiting the Parish

St. Aloysius sits at 107 Vermont Avenue in the small town of Ransom, between 1st Street and Old Kansas 4. Visitors can reach the parish office at (785) 731-2497. The mailing address is PO Box 96, Ransom, KS 67572-0096. The nearest rectory mailing address is 105 Vermont or c/o 510 S School St, Ness City, KS 67560.

• Address: 107 Vermont Ave., PO Box 96, Ransom, KS 67572-0096
• Phone: (785) 731-731-2497
• Located between 1st Street and Old Kansas 4