About St. Francis Xavier · Burlington, Kansas
St. Francis Xavier is a Roman Catholic parish in Burlington, Kansas, founded in 1871 by roughly ten families who had been worshipping together since 1859. It belongs to the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas and today is clustered with three neighboring mission parishes — St. Joseph in Waverly, St. Patrick in Emerald, and St. Teresa of Avila in Westphalia — sharing one pastor and one four-parish office. The parish is known for its historic 1902 church, its just-completed 2024 interior restoration, and an active lay life that includes a Knights of Columbus council, an Altar Society, a Legion of Mary praesidium, religious education for Pre-K through 12th grade, a thriving Teens Gone Catholic youth group, and a young adult ministry.
- Established
- 1871
- Patron
- St. Francis Xavier
- Rector
- Rev. George Rhodes (Parochial Administrator of the four-parish cluster, effective October 31, 2025)
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas
Why belong here
St. Francis Xavier in Burlington welcomes visitors and new parishioners with a small but lively rural Catholic life rooted in a 150-plus-year history. The four-parish cluster shares Sunday Mass at 10:00am in Burlington, weekday Masses on Tuesday and Friday at 12:05pm, Thursday adoration from 12:30pm to 3:30pm, and Sunday confession from 9:30–9:50am. Parishioners can grow in faith through religious education Pre-K through 12, the Teens Gone Catholic youth group, a young adult ministry for ages 18–30, RCIA, Altar Society, Legion of Mary, and the local Knights of Columbus council — all supported by a four-parish office that keeps the cluster closely connected.
Mass times at St. Francis Xavier
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday 9:30am – 9:50am (St. Francis Xavier, Burlington)
- Wednesday 5:15pm – 5:55pm (St. Joseph, Waverly)
- Saturday 3:25pm – 3:50pm (St. Patrick, Emerald)
- Saturday 5:25pm – 5:55pm (St. Teresa of Avila, Westphalia)
- Sunday 7:30am – 7:50am (St. Joseph, Waverly)
- By appointment with Fr. Rhodes for any other time
Adoration times
- Thursday 12:30pm – 3:30pm
Parish Identity and Four-Parish Cluster
St. Francis Xavier is one of four Roman Catholic parishes sharing one pastor and one central office in the southeastern portion of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas. The other parishes in the cluster are St. Joseph in Waverly (508 Pearson Avenue, Waverly, KS 66871), St. Patrick in Emerald (33721 NW Crawford Road, Williamsburg, KS 66095), and St. Teresa of Avila in Westphalia (404 Garrison Avenue, Westphalia, KS 66093). The mailing address and office for all four parishes is 214 Juniatta Street, Burlington, KS 66839.
- St. Francis Xavier – Burlington (flagship parish, 214 Juniatta St.)
- St. Joseph – Waverly
- St. Patrick – Emerald
- St. Teresa of Avila – Westphalia
History of St. Francis Xavier Parish
The Catholic presence in Burlington stretches back to 1859. In early 1871 about ten families organized the parish, and the cornerstone of a 35 × 40-foot wood church was laid in June 1871 on 3rd Street. By 1899 the parish had grown to 35 families; the cornerstone of the present church was laid on August 22, 1901 and the building was dedicated with a Solemn High Mass on August 12, 1902. A parish hall was added and dedicated on May 14, 2006, and the church basement was remodeled in September 2010 for High School CCD and the Youth Group.
- 1859 – Catholic worship begins in Burlington
- 1871 – Parish formally organized by ~10 families; first wood church cornerstone laid in June
- 1901 – Cornerstone of the present church laid on August 22
- 1902 – Church dedicated with a Solemn High Mass on August 12
- 2006 – Parish hall completed and dedicated on May 14
- 2010 – Church basement remodeled for High School CCD and Youth Group (September)
2024 Interior Restoration
Under the direction of Fr. Colin Haganey, a comprehensive restoration of the church interior began in January 2024 and was completed in June 2024. Archbishop Naumann blessed the new permanent altar during the project, which reintroduced the altar rail, repaired and repainted the ceiling, walls, statues, and Stations of the Cross, relocated the large crucifix to the choir loft, restored the old baptismal font to serve as the main holy water font at the entry, and added a new set of confessionals at the rear of the church with both a kneeler and handicap access.
- New permanent altar blessed by Archbishop Naumann
- Altar rail reintroduced
- New confessionals with kneeler and handicap access
- Repaired crucifix relocated to choir loft
- Old baptismal font restored as main entry holy water font
Clergy, Office Staff, and Pastoral Leadership
The four-parish cluster is currently led by Rev. George Rhodes as Parochial Administrator, following the September 17, 2025 decree of Archbishop Naumann effective October 31, 2025. He comes to the cluster from Most Pure Heart of Mary in Topeka, where he served as Parochial Vicar and chaplain of the Cor Christi Catholic Center at Washburn University. The four-parish office staff supports both parish operations and ministry coordination across the cluster.
- Fr. Rhodes – Parochial Administrator (sacramental emergency line: 620-757-6824)
- Cyndy Heinz – Office Manager
- Angela Myers – Office Assistant; Coordinator of Youth & Young Adult Activities & Ministry
- Diani Myers – Assistant for Youth Activities & Ministry
- Gennifer Birk – Religious Education contact
Sacraments
The four parishes collaborate on sacramental preparation. Baptism for infants requires a single parent formation class; older children and adults are prepared through the RCIA process. Reconciliation is offered at multiple times across the cluster and by appointment. Confirmation is typically received in 9th or 10th grade as part of a two-year program. Couples preparing for Marriage are asked to contact Fr. Rhodes or the office at least six months in advance. Anointing of the Sick can be arranged by contacting the office or the sacramental emergency line.
- Baptism (infant, child, adult)
- Reconciliation (Confession)
- Confirmation
- Marriage (6+ months preparation)
- Anointing of the Sick
Faith Formation and Religious Education
Religious education is provided across the cluster for students from Pre-K through 12th grade. Classes begin in September and run through May, with Confirmation preparation as a two-year program typically completed in 9th or 10th grade. The parish also points families to FORMED for at-home Catholic faith content and offers Adult Faith Formation for ongoing growth. Those interested in joining the Catholic Church are invited into the Becoming Catholic / RCIA process.
- Religious Education Pre-K – 12th grade
- RCIA (Becoming Catholic)
- Adult Faith Formation
- FORMED subscription
- Virtus training required for volunteer teachers and substitutes
Parish Life and Ministries
Parishioners at St. Francis Xavier find rich lay community life. The Altar Society ministers to the church and supports parish needs, the Knights of Columbus council is open to all men 18 and older (with annual dues supporting parish upkeep), and the Legion of Mary offers a spiritual apostolate of prayer and service. A parish council and the additional councils for the three cluster parishes form the Four Parish Councils. Beyond these organizations, the parish regularly hosts community events such as Vacation Bible School, the Red Cross Blood Mobile, the Catholic Charities Mobile Bus, and God's Storehouse food support.
- Altar Society
- Knights of Columbus (men 18+)
- Legion of Mary
- Four Parish Councils
- Vacation Bible School for Pre-K – 6th grade
Youth and Young Adult Ministry
The Teens Gone Catholic (TGC) Youth Group gathers all 7th through 12th graders of the parish for faith, fellowship, fun, and food, with service projects throughout the year benefiting both the parish and the wider Burlington community. A separate Young Adult Ministry reaches out to parishioners ages 18 to 30, with Angela Myers coordinating outreach and contacts. Registration forms and activity schedules are available on the parish website.
- Teens Gone Catholic (TGC) for grades 7–12
- Young Adult Ministry for ages 18–30
- Service projects throughout the year
- Coordinator: Angela Myers (620-203-0488)
- Assistant: Diani Myers
Community Outreach
St. Francis Xavier opens its parish hall to community ministries beyond the parish itself. Recent and ongoing outreach includes Vacation Bible School for children, Red Cross Blood Mobiles sponsored by the parish, visits from the Catholic Charities Mobile Bus, and ongoing collection support for God's Storehouse, a local food assistance effort. The parish reminds parishioners to pray for and assist those in need throughout the community.
- Vacation Bible School
- Red Cross Blood Mobile
- Catholic Charities Mobile Bus
- God's Storehouse food support
- Hospital visits and Anointing of the Sick on request
Contact, Office, and Visiting
The four-parish office is located at 214 Juniatta Street, Burlington, KS 66839 and is open Tuesday through Friday from 9:00am to 1:00pm. Office staff — including Fr. Rhodes, Cyndy Heinz, and Angela Myers — can be reached by phone at 620-364-5671 or by email through the parish website's contact form. After-hours sacramental emergencies should be directed to Fr. Rhodes at 620-757-6824. Visitors and those interested in joining the parish are encouraged to notify the office directly so the staff can assist with registration, sacraments, or any needs during their visit.
- Office phone: 620-364-5671
- Rectory phone: 620-364-2416
- Fax: 620-364-2000
- Email: [email protected]
- Sacramental emergency (Fr. Rhodes): 620-757-6824
- Office hours: Tue–Fri, 9:00am – 1:00pm
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Colin Haganey, V.F.through fall 2025
Led the four-parish cluster as Pastor; directed and oversaw the 2024 interior restoration of St. Francis Xavier including the new permanent altar, altar rail, repainting, and new confessionals. Transferred to Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Emporia while continuing as Dean of the Southern Deanery in a decree dated September 17, 2025.
- Rev. George Rhodeseffective October 31, 2025
Appointed Parochial Administrator of St. Francis Xavier (Burlington), St. Joseph (Waverly), St. Patrick (Emerald), and St. Teresa of Avila (Westphalia). Previously Parochial Vicar of Most Pure Heart of Mary, Topeka, and chaplain of Cor Christi Catholic Center at Washburn University.