About St. Francis of Assisi (Munjor) · Munjor, Kansas
St. Francis of Assisi Church in Munjor, Kansas, is a Catholic parish rooted in the faith of German immigrants from the Volga region who settled in the area in 1876. The community built its first wooden church in 1878 and later a stone church dedicated to St. Francis of Assisi in 1889. The church was destroyed by fire in 1932 but was restored to its original appearance, except for the steeple. The parish continues to welcome all people to spiritual growth through fellowship and participation in the Catholic faith.
- Established
- 1878
- Patron
- St. Francis of Assisi
- Rector
- Fr. Damian Richards
- Diocese
- Diocese of Salina
Why belong here
Join a community that values spiritual growth, fellowship, and active participation in the Catholic faith. Experience regular Mass, Reconciliation, and Rosary gatherings, and be part of a parish with deep historical roots and a commitment to serving others through faith and service.
Mass times at St. Francis of Assisi (Munjor)
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday: 7:30 am
History
The community of Munjor was one of six settlements around Ellis County, Kansas founded in 1876 by German immigrants from the Volga area in southern Russia. When the settlers arrived in Ellis County in 1876 and purchased Section 25 in Wheatland Township, they referred to their new settlement as Obermonjou, after the home of many of them along the Volga. The foundation of the heritage that the immigrants brought with them was a strong practical Catholic faith. When they arrived there were no Catholic churches along the railroad west of Salina, Kansas. Not having a church or a priest, each of the colonies erected a large wooden cross where the people gathered on Sundays and Holidays to say the rosary, prayers from Mass, and litanies. Next to their family and their home, the object of greatest concern to the settlers was the house of God. Immediately after completing their own simple and rugged homes, the people began plans for a church. The first church was a frame building, 41 feet x 20 feet, which was begun in February 1878. In 1889, the growing parish decided to build a large church of native stone. The corner stone was laid on Passion Sunday, 1889, and by December of that same year it was under roof. The church was dedicated in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, by the Capuchin Friars. On February 5, 1932, due to a defective flue from the furnace above the sanctuary, the church was destroyed by fire. February 5th, the church burned; May 6th, reconstruction began; August 5th, the altar was replaced — each of these dates was the first Friday of the month, and the people of the Munjor parish have always observed the devotion of the first Fridays. The church was restored with the same appearance it had previous to the fire, with the exception of the steeple which was never replaced. Photographs of St. Francis before and after the fire can be found in the book "Saint Francis Parish Munjor, Kansas" which can be purchased through the gift shop.
Anniversary Mass
St. Francis celebrates their Anniversary Mass the first Sunday of October every year.