About St. Gabriel Archangel · Kansas City, Missouri
St. Gabriel Archangel is a Catholic parish in the southern Clay County / Northland area of Kansas City, Missouri, part of the Diocese of Kansas City–Saint Joseph. The parish serves roughly 900 households, runs an adjoining Catholic school (preschool through 8th grade with a Montessori early-childhood program), and worships in a church built in 1960 that was later expanded with a bell tower and named bells (Jesus, Mary, and Joseph). The community is currently led by Fr. Benjamin Armentrout, pastor since August 2025, and is known for its Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, its long-running Catholic school, and a tight-knit lay life that includes a Legion of Mary praesidium, Knights of Columbus council, St. Vincent de Paul conference, Altar Society, Hearts Afire faith-sharing groups, and an annual Jamaica mission trip.
- Established
- 1956
- Patron
- St. Gabriel the Archangel
- Rector
- Rev. Benjamin Armentrout, JCL
- Diocese
- Diocese of Kansas City–Saint Joseph
Why belong here
St. Gabriel is a parish where Christ is at the center — encountered in the sacraments, nourished in community, and pursued through intentional discipleship. Worship is supported by Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in the side chapel, a daily Mass schedule (Tuesday–Friday plus Sunday vigil), and a full slate of Confession times. The adjoining Catholic school serves children from age 3 through eighth grade with a Montessori early-childhood program, and a wide network of lay groups — Legion of Mary, Knights of Columbus, St. Vincent de Paul, Altar Society, Hearts Afire faith-sharing groups, the Backsnack Program, and a Jamaica Mission Trip — gives newcomers concrete ways to pray, serve, and belong.
Mass times at St. Gabriel Archangel
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 3:00 PM – 3:45 PM
- Sunday: 7:30 AM – 7:50 AM
- Sunday: 10:30 AM – 10:50 AM
- Tuesday: 5:30 PM – 6:00 PM
- Tuesday–Friday: 7:30 AM – 7:50 AM (30 minutes before daily Mass)
Adoration times
- Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament — located in the side chapel
- Tuesday 9:00 AM overnight until Wednesday 8:00 AM
About St. Gabriel Archangel Parish
St. Gabriel Archangel is a Catholic parish in the southern Clay County / Northland region of Kansas City, Missouri, in the Diocese of Kansas City–Saint Joseph. The parish roster today stands at roughly 900 households, served by a daily-Mass schedule, Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in the side chapel, an adjoining Catholic school, and a wide network of lay ministries. The parish's mission statement, voiced by current pastor Fr. Benjamin Armentrout, frames the community as one striving 'to live fully the truth, goodness, and beauty of the Catholic faith,' where Christ is at the center — 'encountered in the sacraments, nourished in community, and pursued through lives of intentional discipleship.'
- Diocese: Kansas City–Saint Joseph
- Approximately 900 households
- Adjoining Catholic school serving age 3 through 8th grade
- Perpetual Adoration chapel in the side chapel
Our History
Established March 1, 1956 as St. Michael the Archangel Parish in the Diocese of St. Joseph, the parish was renamed St. Gabriel Archangel on May 1, 1959 by Bishop John Cody when the dioceses of Kansas City and St. Joseph were combined. The first Mass was celebrated March 4, 1956 at the Winnwood Roller Rink, and the school and a basement worship space followed later that same year. The current church was dedicated February 17, 1960. The parish grew through the 1960s and 1970s, embraced Perpetual Adoration in 1985, was entrusted to the Benedictines of Conception Abbey from 1986 to 2007, absorbed the territory of the suppressed St. Raphael Parish in 2008, and marked its 50th anniversary in 2006 and 60th in 2016.
- Founded March 1, 1956 as St. Michael the Archangel; renamed May 1, 1959
- First Mass: Winnwood Roller Rink, March 4, 1956
- Church dedicated February 17, 1960
- Perpetual Adoration begun February 1985
- Benedictine pastorate (Conception Abbey): 1986–2007
- St. Raphael Parish territory incorporated July 1, 2008
- 50th anniversary celebrated 2006; 60th anniversary March 6, 2016
Pastor and Clergy
St. Gabriel has been led by a succession of pastors since Fr. Linus Link welcomed the founding 70 families in 1956. The current pastor, Fr. Benjamin Armentrout, was named on August 1, 2025 and also serves as Defender of the Bond on the Marriage Tribunal for the diocese. Previous pastorates include long Benedictine assignments under the Conception community (Fr. Denis Dougherty, OSB from 1986 and Fr. Karl Barmann, OSB from 1999), diocesan appointments under Bishops Robert Finn and James Johnston, and most recently Fr. Alex Kreidler (2021–2025) and Fr. Joseph Sharbel (2009–retirement).
- Current pastor: Fr. Benjamin Armentrout (since Aug. 1, 2025)
- Past pastorate of Conception Benedictines: 1986–2007
- Fr. Alexander B. Sinclair named pastor July 1, 2007 with Fr. Justin Hoye as associate
- Fr. Joseph Sharbel named pastor July 1, 2009 (later granted retirement)
Parish Groups and Ministries
The parish encourages parishioners to get involved in one of its many lay groups, which give shape to prayer, service, and community life at St. Gabriel. Outreach ranges from a St. Vincent de Paul conference and Mercy in Action to a Backsnack Program feeding local children, and prayer ranges from Legion of Mary to Friends of Prayer and Hearts Afire faith-sharing groups. Annual formation and fellowship include an Altar Society, Knights of Columbus council, and a Jamaica Mission Trip.
- St. Vincent de Paul Society
- Mercy in Action
- Legion of Mary (meets Sundays 9:15–10:30 AM)
- Knights of Columbus
- Jamaica Mission Trip
- Friends of Prayer
- Faith Sharing Group (Hearts Afire / Marian Fathers parish-based programs)
- Backsnack Program
- Altar Society
St. Gabriel Catholic School
St. Gabriel Catholic School has served the parish, families, and the wider Northland community since 1956, currently educating students from age 3 through eighth grade. The school is part of the Northland Catholic Schools consortium and is described by the parish as 'a Northland destination for a Montessori-based preschool and Catholic Liberal Arts Education.' Mrs. Jennifer Gray serves as principal. The Early Childhood Learning Center, with its Montessori preschool, was established on August 16, 1982 and remains a distinctive feature of the school.
- Serving students age 3 through 8th grade
- Montessori-based preschool program
- Catholic liberal-arts curriculum
- Part of the Northland Catholic Schools consortium
- Principal: Mrs. Jennifer Gray
Faith Formation and Sacraments
Adult faith formation at St. Gabriel centers on the Hearts Afire parish-based programs from the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception, using Fr. Michael Gaitley's books in three stages — Marian consecration and Sacred Heart devotion, wisdom and works of mercy, and ongoing formation in Divine Mercy. For those discerning Catholic initiation, the parish runs an Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) program, while families with infants prepare for Baptism through a class scheduled with the Director of Family Life & Youth. Children not enrolled in the parish school also benefit from a religious-education program started in 1968 for public-school children.
- OCIA (RCIA) — Director Luke Prout, [email protected], 816-716-9390
- Baptism prep — contact Lori Langner at 816-453-1183 ext. 202
- Hearts Afire faith-sharing groups — contact Mary Helm at 816-806-7591
- Religious Education program for public-school children (started 1968)
- Vacation Bible School for children age 3 through 5th grade
Communication and Getting Involved
St. Gabriel uses Flocknote as its parish communication platform, allowing parishioners to subscribe to email or text updates from the groups and ministries of their choice — Faith Formation, Legion of Mary, St. Isidore Garden, Knights of Columbus, Altar Society, and more — and to reply directly. Funeral announcements, Mass schedule changes, and major event updates are also sent through the same system. Subscribers can update their preferences or unsubscribe at any time.
- Flocknote used for parish email and text communication
- Subscribe per ministry or group
- Funeral announcements and schedule changes distributed via Flocknote
Buildings, Campus, and Grounds
The parish campus at 4737 N. Cleveland Ave. has grown with the community since 1956. Major milestones include the 1960 church (originally designed to be convertible into a gymnasium), the 1991 multipurpose building with gym, vestibule, St. Joseph meeting room, and serving kitchen, the 1995 expansion of the Gathering Space with bell tower and carillon, and a 1995 office building with courtyard. The bell tower received three named bells — Jesus, Mary, and Joseph — in May 2000. A 2004 Capital Campaign replaced windows in the older school and Early Childhood Learning Center additions, added three covered school entrances, and installed automatic doors and a chairlift to make the school handicap-accessible. The 2016 'Foundations of Faith' campaign replaced flooring in the sanctuary, parish offices, and north-entrance hallway, renovated the Gathering Space kitchen, and upgraded the sound system.
- Church dedicated February 17, 1960
- Allen organ dedicated 1991; stained-glass windows added 1988
- Multipurpose building with gym completed 1991
- Bell tower with carillon added 1995; named bells installed May 2000
- Rectory remodeled 1996 and 1999
- 2016 'Foundations of Faith' campaign: flooring, kitchen, sound system
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Linus Link1956–
Founding pastor; shepherded the original 70 families.
- Fr. Denis Dougherty, OSB1986–
First Benedictine pastor after the parish was entrusted to Conception Abbey in July 1986; oversaw the 1987 mortgage-burning ceremony.
- Fr. Karl Barmann, OSB1999–
Second Benedictine pastor, named July 1, 1999; oversaw the installation of the named bells (Jesus, Mary, and Joseph) in 2000.
- Fr. Alexander B. Sinclair2007–2009
Named pastor July 1, 2007 by Bishop Robert Finn after Conception Abbey ended its 21-year assignment; Fr. Justin Hoye named associate pastor.
- Fr. Joseph Sharbel2009–
Named pastor July 1, 2009; later granted retirement status.
- Fr. Alex Kreidler2021–2025
Named pastor July 1, 2021; concluded his assignment July 11, 2025.
- Fr. Benjamin Armentrout2025–present
Named pastor August 1, 2025; also serves as Defender of the Bond on the Marriage Tribunal.