About St. Elizabeth Ann Seton · Wichita, Kansas
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church (SEAS) is a thriving Roman Catholic parish in west Wichita, Kansas, established in 1982 to serve the growing Catholic families moving westward in the Wichita area. The parish, which belongs to the Diocese of Wichita, was canonically erected on March 30, 1982 by Bishop David M. Maloney and is named after the only North American-born saint. Today SEAS serves more than 1,800 registered families and runs both a parish school (K-8) and a robust religious education program. Its mission is to be 'a family of disciples that intentionally encounters living God, welcomes others at all stages of discipleship, and works together to build the Kingdom of God.'
- Established
- 1982
- Patron
- St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
- Rector
- Rev. Aaron D. Spexarth
- Diocese
- Diocese of Wichita
Why belong here
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton is a large, family-oriented west-Wichita parish where more than 1,800 households worship together under the spiritual patronage of the first American-born saint. Members benefit from perpetual Eucharistic adoration, a robust K-8 Catholic school, parish-wide faith formation for children and adults (PSR, OCIA/RCIA, Walking With Purpose, Vacation Bible School, Totus Tuus), and a vibrant youth ministry with BLAZE, AXIOS, Forged, and Totus Tuus programs. With multiple daily Masses, frequent confession times, and ministries for every age and stage, it is built to welcome new parishioners at every step of their discipleship.
Mass times at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday – Friday: 6:00 am (before 6:30 am Mass)
- Monday – Saturday: 7:30 am (before 8:00 am Mass)
- Saturday: 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm
- Anytime by appointment
Adoration times
- Perpetual adoration
Parish History
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton was canonically established by the Most Reverend David M. Maloney, Bishop of Wichita, on March 30, 1982, with June 24, 1982 — the feast of St. John the Baptist — as the effective start date. Founded to serve young Catholic families moving west into Wichita, the parish grew quickly out of the Holy Family Center at 619 S. Maize Road, broke ground on its permanent Jaax-farm site in 1984, and opened its combined church/school/rectory in fall 1985. Successive pastors — Fathers Gilmore, Kocour, James Billinger, Ken Van Haverbeke, Sherman Orr, and current pastor Aaron Spexarth — shepherded the parish from a borrowed-chair cafeteria Mass of 400 to more than 1,800 families today.
- Canonically erected March 30, 1982 by Bishop David M. Maloney
- First Mass: June 24, 1982, Holy Family Center cafeteria — 400 parishioners
- First anniversary Mass: January 4, 1983, on the feast of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
- Groundbreaking: June 24, 1984, on the Jaax farm south of Central on 119th St W
- Combined church/school/rectory opened: fall 1985 (first Sunday Mass October 12, 1985)
- Building debt paid in full: May 2010 under Father Ken Van Haverbeke
Mission Statement
The parish's published mission statement reads: 'St. Elizabeth Ann Seton aims to be a family of disciples that intentionally encounters living God, welcomes others at all stages of discipleship, and works together to build the Kingdom of God.' Father Ken famously nicknamed the active parish 'Our Lady of Perpetual Motion' during his pastorate.
Clergy & Staff
The current parish team is led by Pastor Rev. Aaron Spexarth and Associate Pastor Rev. Luke Downing, with the broader staff handling faith formation, music, business, and facilities. Email addresses and direct extensions are published on the parish's Clergy & Staff page.
- Rev. Aaron Spexarth — Pastor (ext. 225, [email protected])
- Rev. Luke Downing — Associate Pastor (ext. 237, [email protected])
- Rev. Koby Nguyen (ext. 221, [email protected])
- Jay Hohl — Parish Business Manager (ext. 233)
- Monica Guzman — Administrative Assistant to the Pastor (ext. 224)
- Christy Wirtz — Faith Formation Coordinator (ext. 253)
- Beatriz Balza — Parish Receptionist (ext. 220)
- Pam Schmidt — Parish Office Assistant (ext. 245)
- David Downing — Music Director (ext. 226)
- Todd Fry — Facility Coordinator/Manager (ext. 227)
Pastor — Rev. Aaron D. Spexarth
Father Aaron Spexarth was born on March 4, 1982, and ordained to the priesthood on May 24, 2008. Before coming to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton as pastor in 2023, he served as assistant pastor at Church of the Magdalen in Wichita, chaplain at Kapaun Mt. Carmel Catholic High School and diocesan Master of Ceremonies (2010), and pastor/administrator of multiple parishes in the Diocese of Wichita including St. Joseph (Ost), St. Rose (Mt. Vernon), St. Louis (Waterloo), Holy Cross (Hutchinson), Holy Trinity (Little River), Our Lady of Guadalupe (Hutchinson), and St. Teresa of Avila (Hutchinson). He is reachable at [email protected] or (316) 721-1686 ext. 225.
- Birth date: March 4, 1982
- Ordained: May 24, 2008
- Became pastor at SEAS: 2023
- Office: 645 N 119th St W, Wichita, KS 67235
Pastoral Succession
From its founding in 1982 to the present, the parish has been served by six pastors. The succession reflects both the parish's growth and the diocese's pattern of rotating clergy between Wichita-area and rural parishes.
- Father Gilmore (1982–1983; later Bishop Gilmore) — founding pastor
- Father Kocour (1983–1992) — oversaw the Faith in the Future Appeal and construction
- Father James Billinger (1992–2008)
- Father Ken Van Haverbeke (2008–2011) — paid off the building debt
- Father Sherman Orr (2011–c. 2023)
- Rev. Aaron D. Spexarth (2023–present)
Parish School of Religion (PSR)
The SEAS Religious Education Program helps parents ensure that Catholic youth in public schools still receive a quality religious education. Classes for kindergarten through 8th grade meet on Wednesday evenings from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm at SEAS, in a nurturing and spiritual atmosphere that emphasizes respect for God, self, and others. Volunteer teachers and assistants are always welcome.
- Grades K-8
- Wednesday evenings 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm
- Volunteer catechists welcome — contact the PSR Coordinator
Catholic School (K-8)
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic School shares the parish campus, continuing the parish's founding commitment to 'educate each child spiritually, academically, and socially… guiding each to lead a Christian life anchored in Catholic values.' The school opened with three grades (K-2) and 59 students on August 25, 1982, and has grown steadily since — with 725 students reported in the parish's anniversary history and K-5 occupying the lower-floor classrooms when the permanent building opened in September 1985.
- Mission: educate each child spiritually, academically, socially in Catholic values
- Opened August 25, 1982 with K-2 (59 students)
- By 1985 housed K-5 (149 students) in the lower-floor classrooms
- 725 students reported at the parish's 19-year mark
Adult Faith Formation
Adult formation offerings meet people wherever they are on the discipleship path, from inquiry to deep study. The OCIA process (formerly RCIA) welcomes those preparing to enter the Catholic Church, while ongoing programs help parishioners grow in prayer, discernment, and natural family planning.
- OCIA (formerly RCIA) — initiation for adults
- Walking With Purpose — women's Bible study
- Natural Family Planning Educator
- Called and Gifted — charism discernment process
Youth Ministry
SEAS runs a year-round youth ministry with programs tailored to middle school, high school, and summer. The 'BLAZE' and 'AXIOS' groups anchor middle and high school formation, 'Forged' deepens the high school experience, and 'Totus Tuus' brings an archdiocesan-style summer catechetical team to the parish each year.
- BLAZE — youth group
- AXIOS — high school formation
- Forged — high school program
- Totus Tuus — summer program
Children & Family Programs
Beyond PSR and the parish school, the parish offers age-appropriate formation for the parish's youngest members. 'Jesus' Little Lambs' provides Sunday School from September through May, and a Vacation Bible School is offered in the summer. 'Totus Tuus Assistance' is also listed on the parish's formation page.
- Jesus' Little Lambs — Sunday School, September–May
- Vacation Bible School (VBS) — summer
- Totus Tuus Assistance
- Catholic Athletes for Christ (CAC)
Music & Liturgy
Music ministry is led by Music Director David Downing (ext. 226, [email protected]), who supports the parish's weekend and daily Masses, holy days, and special liturgies.
- Music Director: David Downing
Contact & Directions
The parish office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, and can be reached by phone, fax, or email. The church sits on the west side of Wichita, south of Central Avenue on 119th Street West.
- Address: 645 N 119th St W, Wichita, KS 67235
- Phone: (316) 721-1686
- Fax: (316) 721-1723
- Office hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Website: http://www.seaswichita.com/
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Gilmore (later Bishop Gilmore)1982 – August 1983
Founding pastor; celebrated the first Mass for 400 parishioners in the Holy Family Center cafeteria. Named Chancellor of the Diocese of Wichita on August 31, 1983.
- Father KocourAugust 1983 – September 1992
Second pastor. Led the 'Faith in the Future Appeal,' oversaw construction of the $2.5 million church/school/rectory on the Jaax farm site, and opened the new building in fall 1985. Departed in September 1992 to become moderator of the Wichita Diocesan Mission Team in Barquisimeto, Venezuela.
- Father James BillingerSeptember 17, 1992 – June 2008
Shepherded the parish through pastoral planning, listening sessions, and growth to roughly 900 families. Newly ordained Father Michael Schemm joined him as Associate Pastor. Departed for Holy Savior Catholic Church in May 2008.
- Father Ken Van HaverbekeJune 2008 – June 2011
Dubbed the parish 'Our Lady of Perpetual Motion.' Building debt paid in full in May 2010; bell tower donor plaques blessed; Parish Mission held in Lent 2011. Farewell reception June 18–19, 2011.
- Father Sherman Orr2011 – c. 2023
Arrived summer 2011 with Associate Pastor Father Marco De Loera.
- Rev. Aaron D. Spexarth2023 – present
Ordained May 24, 2008. Former chaplain at Kapaun Mt. Carmel and diocesan Master of Ceremonies. Assumed pastorate in 2023.