About Saint Joseph · Offerle, Kansas
St. Joseph Catholic Church is a small mission parish in the rural community of Offerle, Kansas, part of the Diocese of Dodge City and pastorally linked with St. Nicholas Parish in nearby Kinsley. The parish has 54 registered households and serves a heritage-rich community of mostly Volga-German and Austrian-German Catholic farming families who settled in Edwards and Ford Counties in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Today the parish shares a pastor, Fr. Timothy Hickey, with St. Nicholas in Kinsley, and offers Sunday Mass, a Wednesday Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, and the full sacramental life of the Church to its members.
- Established
- 1908
- Patron
- Saint Joseph
- Rector
- Rev. Timothy Hickey
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Dodge City
Why belong here
St. Joseph in Offerle is a small, tightly-knit mission parish with deep roots in the Volga-German and Austrian-German Catholic farming heritage of southwest Kansas. Members benefit from Sunday and weekday Mass, weekly Reconciliation, monthly Eucharistic Adoration, and a full sacramental life celebrated in the historic 1927 Romanesque brick church — all under the personal care of a resident pastor shared with neighboring St. Nicholas in Kinsley. The parish offers the essential liturgical ministries (music, altar servers, lectors, Eucharistic ministers, ushers, sacristans, decorating committee) so that any parishioner can find a meaningful way to serve.
Mass times at Saint Joseph
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sundays 7:00–7:45 am (St. Joseph, Offerle)
- Daily 30 minutes before Mass or by appointment
Adoration times
- First Sunday of the month, 9:00–10:00 am (St. Joseph, Offerle)
Parish History
St. Joseph Parish in Offerle is rooted in the German-Catholic settlement of Ford and Edwards Counties in the late 19th century, when Austrian and Volga-German families established farms in the area. The parish's official history recounts two earlier St. Joseph churches built at different rural sites in Ford County, with the first being closed by interdict by Bishop John J. Hennessy in 1902. The location of the next church sparked further conflict between the Austrian and Volga-German factions until the visit of the St. Anthony Chapel Car on October 18, 1907 helped mediate the dispute. The present brick Romanesque church in Offerle itself was built in 1927 and has been the spiritual home of the parish ever since. The community's deep Catholic heritage is reflected in its long history of devotional life, the establishment of a parish school in 1945, and the parish's ongoing mission to its rural members.
- Old St. Joseph closed by interdict under Bishop Hennessy, 1902
- St. Anthony Chapel Car visit helps resolve parish dispute, October 18, 1907
- Frame 'New' St. Joseph dedicated by Bishop Hennessy, September 23, 1908
- Father August Zink becomes first resident pastor, 1916
- Father William Paul succeeds Zink, 1921
- Cornerstone of current brick church laid May 28, 1927
- Current Romanesque brick church dedicated by Bishop August J. Schwertner, November 3, 1927
- Interior destroyed by furnace fire, February 4, 1939; rededicated May 15, 1939
- Parish school dedicated by Bishop Christian H. Winkelmann, October 31, 1945; closed 1971
The Church Building
The current St. Joseph Church is a brick Romanesque Revival structure designed by the Emporia architectural firm Brinkman and Hagan and built by Offerle contractor Joseph Sebacher. Bishop August J. Schwertner, dedicating the building on November 3, 1927, called it "a beautiful gift to a Provident God" and the "crowning achievement to a long, romantic series of historic and dramatic events." The most prominent feature is the 70-foot bell tower at the front of the building; the room at its base was originally designed as a winter chapel and is now used for the sacrament of Reconciliation.
- Style: Romanesque Revival
- Architect: Brinkman and Hagan of Emporia, Kansas
- Builder: Joseph Sebacher of Offerle
- Dedicated November 3, 1927 by Bishop August J. Schwertner
- 70-foot bell tower with winter chapel / confessional at its base
Sacraments
The parish celebrates the full sacramental life of the Catholic Church. First Communion is prepared through a two-year faith-formation program beginning in first grade, with First Communion received in the spring of the second grade year. Parents should contact the parish office to begin sacramental preparation for Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, or Marriage. In a sacramental emergency, the rectory line (Fr. Tim Hickey, 203-996-7854) is available.
- Baptism
- First Communion (two-year formation, 1st–2nd grade; received in Spring of 2nd grade)
- Confirmation
- Reconciliation
- Marriage
- Anointing of the Sick
Ministries & Service Opportunities
St. Joseph offers its parishioners a wide range of liturgical ministries so that Mass can be celebrated reverently and beautifully. Open invitations are listed on the parish website.
- Music Ministry — vocal and instrumental liturgical musicians
- Altar Servers — boys and girls fourth grade and older (training provided)
- Decorating Committee — seasonal adornment of the church
- Sacristans — set up and clean up for Mass
- Ushers — assist at weekend Masses and Holy Days
- Eucharistic Ministers — including Communion to the home-bound
- Lectors — proclaim the Word of God at Mass
Parish Councils
Three councils assist the pastor in guiding parish life. The Pastoral Council is the main advisory body to the pastor on pastoral matters and meets quarterly at St. Nicholas Parish Hall. The Finance & Property Council oversees the parish's financial administration and the upkeep of buildings and grounds. The Faith Formation Council assists the Director of Religious Education with PSR (Parish School of Religion) activities, including recruiting teachers, reviewing curriculum, coordinating registration, and planning the year.
- Pastoral Council — quarterly meetings at St. Nicholas Parish Hall
- Finance & Property Council — meets as needed
- Faith Formation Council — supports PSR (Parish School of Religion) program
Staff & Parish Leadership
St. Joseph is served by a small, dedicated staff shared with St. Nicholas in Kinsley. Fr. Timothy Hickey is pastor of both parishes. The parish secretaries serve as primary points of contact for each location.
- Rev. Timothy Hickey — Pastor, St. Nicholas & St. Joseph
- Kayla Gleason — Secretary & Bookkeeper, St. Nicholas (Kinsley)
- Ashley Chamberlain — Secretary & Bookkeeper, St. Joseph (Offerle); 620-659-5555
Contact & Visit
Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish through the parish office (shared with St. Nicholas in Kinsley) or the secretary at Offerle. The church is at 111 W 1st Street in Offerle; the parish center is at 124 N. Poplar. Mailing is handled c/o the Kinsley office (PO Box 285, 706 E 6th St, Kinsley, KS 67547). For sacramental emergencies, call the rectory mobile line.
- Church address: 111 W 1st Street, Offerle, KS 67563
- Parish Center: 124 N. Poplar, Offerle
- Parish Office: 620-659-2692
- St. Joseph Secretary (Ashley Chamberlain): 620-659-5555
- Office (Kinsley): 620-659-2521
- Sacramental emergency / Fr. Tim Hickey: 203-996-7854
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Vincent Smithcirca 1913
Submitted parish census report to Bishop Hennessy; parish served from Kinsley/Spearville/Belpre.
- Father August Zink1916–1921
First resident pastor of St. Joseph; lived in the sacristy while the rectory was built.
- Father William Paul1921–
Succeeded Fr. Zink; shepherded the decision to build the present Romanesque brick church in Offerle.
- Msgr. Joseph Gerstenkornby 1945
Pastor under whom the parish school was successfully established in 1945.