About St. Aloysius · Meriden, Kansas
St. Aloysius Catholic Church is a small Roman Catholic parish in the rural community of Meriden, Kansas (Jefferson County), founded in 1880 and part of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas. The parish is twinned with neighboring St. Theresa Parish in Perry and is currently served by Fr. John Kolencherry, OFM Cap., a Franciscan Capuchin priest from India assigned as pastor since July 2024. Weekend Mass is offered Saturday evening and Sunday morning, complemented by two weekday Masses, weekly Eucharistic Adoration, and a robust religious education program running from kindergarten through Confirmation.
- Established
- 1880
- Patron
- St. Aloysius Gonzaga
- Rector
- Fr. John Kolencherry, OFM Cap.
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas
Why belong here
St. Aloysius is a small, family-sized parish where parishioners know one another and can participate directly in the life of the church. It offers a faithful rhythm of worship — Saturday evening and Sunday morning Mass, two weekday Masses on Tuesday and Thursday, weekly Eucharistic Adoration on Thursday evenings, and confession three times a week — alongside a parish-based religious education program (kindergarten through Confirmation) and parish organizations such as the Parish Council, Finance Council, and Knights of Columbus. Because it is a twinned parish served from Perry, members become part of a tight-knit Catholic community that also shares Confirmation preparation with St. Theresa in Perry.
Mass times at St. Aloysius
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesdays & Thursdays 7:45–8:15 AM
- Thursdays 5:00–5:45 PM
- Saturdays 3:15–3:45 PM
- Or by appointment
Adoration times
- Thursdays 5:00–6:00 PM
History & Identity
St. Aloysius Catholic Church has served the Catholic community of Meriden, Kansas, since its founding in 1880. It is one of many small rural parishes that make up the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas and today is twinned with St. Theresa Parish in nearby Perry. The Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas noted the parish's 125th anniversary in 2023. The parish's identity as a Franciscan-Capuchin-led community is most visibly shaped by its current pastor, Fr. John Kolencherry, OFM Cap., who has served since July 2024.
- Founded 1880 (per parish website); Archdiocese records also reference 1898 and celebrated the 125th anniversary in 2023.
- Part of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas.
- Patron: St. Aloysius Gonzaga (feast day June 21).
- Served from Perry, sharing its pastor with St. Theresa Parish.
Pastor — Fr. John Kolencherry, OFM Cap.
Fr. John Kolencherry is a Franciscan Capuchin priest from India assigned as pastor of St. Theresa (Perry) and St. Aloysius (Meriden) since July 2024. He has been a priest for 28 years and a Capuchin friar for 38 years. On the parish's 'Pastor's Corner' page he shares his faith journey, including 17 years of missionary work in Malawi immediately after ordination, where he served as mission accountant, pastor, administrator, mission director, and project manager. He then served in the Capuchin Mid-American Province in Denver as a confessor, chaplain at Catholic Charities, hospital chaplain, and pastor for the Indian community, before becoming associate pastor at St. John the Evangelist in Lawrence, Kansas.
- Has been a priest for 28 years and a Capuchin for 38 years.
- Spent 17 years as a missionary in Malawi.
- Pastored the Indian Community in Denver and served as chaplain at Catholic Charities.
- Assigned to Perry and Meriden parishes since July 2024.
Parish Organizations & Leadership
Parish life at St. Aloysius is shaped by an active Parish Council, a Finance Council, and a Knights of Columbus council. The Parish Council (2025/2026) includes the pastor and lay members assigned to specific ministry areas: Liturgy, Respect Life, Maintenance, Religious Education, and Finance.
- Parish Council President: Steve Sands
- Parish Council Members: Shannon McMahon; Liturgy — Beth Williams; Respect Life — Kitty Grote; Maintenance — Greg Kelly; Religious Education — Linda Smith; Finance — Michael Casey and John Magathan
- Parish Council meets at 6:10 PM on the 2nd Thursday of July, September, November, February, April, and June
- Finance Council (quarterly): Fr. John Kolencherry; Chair — Steve Sands; Michael Casey; John Magathan
- Knights of Columbus Grand Knight: Sam Stallbaumer; meetings 1st Sunday of the month at 7:00 PM
Religious Education (Catechism)
The parish runs a religious education program for children from kindergarten through Confirmation year, meeting on Sundays from 9:15 to 10:15 AM. The Director of Religious Education is Linda Smith, who can be reached through the parish office or at [email protected]. Sacramental milestones are scheduled within the program: First Reconciliation in December of the 2nd-grade year and First Communion in the spring of the 2nd-grade year. Confirmation is celebrated in the Fall every other year, with classes combined with St. Theresa Parish in Perry, beginning in 7th or 8th grade and concluding when students are in 8th or 9th grade.
- Classes meet Sundays 9:15–10:15 AM
- Director of Religious Education: Linda Smith ([email protected])
- First Reconciliation: December of 2nd-grade year
- First Communion: Spring of 2nd-grade year
- Confirmation: every other Fall; combined with St. Theresa (Perry); begins in 7th or 8th grade
- VIRTUS youth-protection training required
Sacraments
St. Aloysius celebrates all seven Catholic sacraments, with preparation appropriate to each. Parents expecting a baptism, couples preparing for marriage, and those discerning Holy Orders or the Anointing of the Sick are asked to call the parish office (785-484-3312) to make an appointment with the pastor. Adults seeking baptism or full initiation are directed to the parish's RCIA process.
- Baptism — recommended as an infant; preparation for parents and godparents; RCIA available for older youth and adults.
- Reconciliation (Confession) — scheduled times listed above; also by appointment.
- Eucharist / First Communion — typically spring of 2nd-grade catechetical year.
- Confirmation — every other Fall; combined with St. Theresa (Perry); begins in 7th or 8th grade.
- Matrimony — couples contact the office to set a wedding date.
- Anointing of the Sick — call the office for those in need.
- Holy Orders — call the office or the Archdiocese for discernment.
Adult Faith Formation
For adult parishioners, St. Aloysius maintains a small lending library of Catholic formation videos that can be borrowed by contacting the church office. Titles include Symbolon, Biblical Walk through the Mass, Who Am I to Judge, Presence, Quick Journey through the Bible, and Power in My Hands. The parish also lists online formation opportunities via its 'Links' page, which points to the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas and other Catholic resources.
- Lending video library: Symbolon, Biblical Walk through the Mass, Who Am I to Judge, Presence, Quick Journey through the Bible, Power in My Hands
- Contact: [email protected] or 785-484-3312
Get Involved — Registration, Time & Talent, Trunk or Treat
New parishioners are encouraged to register with the parish, and every member is invited to fill out a 'Time & Talent' form to share their gifts with parish ministries. The parish also hosts community events such as the annual Trunk or Treat, photographed on its 'Pictures' page.
- Online Parish Registration available via the parish website
- Time & Talent Form for volunteering
- Annual Trunk or Treat community event
Contact, Location & Visiting
St. Aloysius Catholic Church is located at 615 East Wyandotte Street in Meriden, Kansas. The mailing address is PO Box 364, Meriden, KS 66512. The parish phone line is 785-484-3312, and the general office email is [email protected]. The Director of Religious Education can be reached at [email protected]. Because office hours are limited (Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM), visitors are asked to call ahead before stopping by, and to check the latest bulletin for any changes to the Mass, confession, or adoration schedule.
- Address: 615 E. Wyandotte Street, PO Box 364, Meriden, KS 66512
- Phone: 785-484-3312
- Email: [email protected]
- DRE email: [email protected]
- Office hours: Tuesdays & Thursdays 9:00 AM–1:00 PM (call ahead)
- Website: http://www.staloysiusinmeriden.org/