About St. James · Augusta, Kansas
St. James the Greater Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in Augusta, Kansas, belonging to the Diocese of Wichita. The parish traces its Catholic roots in Butler County to a Mass celebrated by Jesuit missionary Father Paul Ponziglione on August 19, 1869. Today it serves roughly 486 registered families (about 1,372 individual Catholics) from its location on Belmont Avenue, with daily and Sunday Masses, perpetual Eucharistic Adoration, a Catholic school, religious education programs (PSR and EDGE), E.P.I.C. high school youth fellowship, and a Knights of Columbus council. The parish describes its mission as growing in holiness as disciples of Jesus Christ through the stewardship way of life.
- Established
- 1869
- Patron
- St. James the Greater (Apostle)
- Rector
- Reverend Philip J. "P.J." Voegeli
- Diocese
- Diocese of Wichita
Why belong here
St. James the Greater offers the full rhythm of Catholic life in a small-town setting: a daily Mass schedule (including Saturdays), robust confession times, perpetual Eucharistic Adoration, a parish school serving preschool through eighth grade, a Parish School of Religion (PSR) for grades 1–8, the EDGE middle-school program, and E.P.I.C., a Wednesday-night high school fellowship led by core team members Avin, Grace, and John alongside Fr. P.J. Registered parishioners receive preferential admission to the Catholic school, sacramental verification for godparent/sponsor roles, and the chance to take part in lay ministries. The parish frames its life as stewardship — praying, serving, giving, learning, and belonging.
Mass times at St. James
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 7:30 AM – 7:50 AM
- Tuesday, Thursday: 5:00 PM – 5:20 PM
- Saturday: 4:00 PM – 4:50 PM
- Or by appointment
Adoration times
- Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration
Parish History
St. James the Greater traces its Catholic origins to August 19, 1869, when Jesuit missionary Father Paul Ponziglione celebrated the first Mass in Butler County. Historical sources linked from the parish note that the exact year is debated — some scholars credit Ponziglione with a first Mass in Augusta in 1872, while the parish itself records the earlier 1869 date. From a frontier mission station the parish grew into a stable community of 486 families served today by a daily-Mass schedule, perpetual Adoration, a school, and a full slate of ministries.
- First Catholic Mass in Butler County: August 19, 1869, by Father Paul Ponziglione, S.J.
- Alternative founding date cited by some sources: 1872
- Stations of the Cross in the new church were digitally reproduced from St. Francis de Hieronymo Catholic Church (Father Sam Pinkerton era)
Our Parish Mission
The parish states its mission plainly on the homepage: 'As disciples of Jesus Christ, St. James the Greater Catholic Community seeks to grow in holiness through the stewardship way of life.' Stewardship is the through-line of parish life, expressed in praying, serving, giving, learning, and belonging.
- Stewardship way of life
- Time & Talent form (updated annually)
- Online giving available through the parish website
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Religious education at St. James spans preschool through high school. The Parish School of Religion (PSR) serves students in grades 1 through 8, and the parish actively recruits catechists and support staff (contact Kathy Martinez in the parish office). The EDGE program supports middle-school youth, while E.P.I.C. is the high school fellowship.
- Parish School of Religion (PSR): Grades 1–8
- EDGE middle school program
- E.P.I.C. High School Fellowship (Wednesdays, 6:30 PM; Mass at 6:00 PM)
- E.P.I.C. core team: Avin, Grace, John, with Fr. John
- PSR contact: Kathy Martinez, 316-775-2155
St. James Catholic School
St. James Catholic School is an integral part of parish life, with the mission 'Preparing Minds for a Lifetime and Souls for Eternity.' The school offers a Traditional Preschool program and a developing classical curriculum for Kindergarten through Grade 8, with small class sizes and a caring faculty dedicated to academic and spiritual formation. Registered parishioners receive preferential admittance. The school maintains its own website with online registration, PowerSchool access, a lunch menu, a faculty/staff page, and an annual calendar of events.
- Traditional Preschool program
- Kindergarten through Grade 8 classical curriculum
- PowerSchool Academic Portal for parents
- Spirit Wear store online
- Online payments (registration, lunch, Guardian Angels)
- Kansas State Assessments information published
- Mission: Preparing Minds for a Lifetime and Souls for Eternity
Knights of Columbus
St. James hosts a council of the Knights of Columbus, the world's largest lay Catholic fraternal organization. Knights are involved in evangelization, Catholic education, and civic involvement. The council meets on the third Wednesday of each month and sponsors a parish breakfast on the third Sunday of each month.
- Grand Knight: Pat Terick
- Deputy Grand Knight: Marian Foster
- Financial Secretary / Finance Committee: Bill Ohman
- Chancellor: Elmer Simon
- Treasurer: Bob Chance
- Recorder: Bob Hirschfeld
- Chaplain: Fr. P.J. Voegeli (Pastor)
- Meetings: 3rd Wednesday of each month
- Parish breakfast: 3rd Sunday of each month
Parish Registration & Stewardship
The parish welcomes new members through an online Parish Registration form. Registration carries practical benefits — preferential admission to St. James Catholic School, priority when scheduling sacraments such as weddings and baptisms, the ability to serve as a Godparent or Confirmation Sponsor with verifiable parish status, and eligibility to take part in lay ministries.
- Online Parish Registration form on the parish website
- Preferential school admission for registered parishioners
- Priority scheduling for weddings and baptisms
- Required for participation in lay ministries
- Time & Talent form (updated annually)
- Safe-environment certification required for volunteers working with minors
Pastoral Leadership
St. James is served by Reverend Philip J. (P.J.) Voegeli as pastor. Father Voegeli was born June 29, 1986 and ordained to the priesthood on May 23, 2015. He served as assistant at St. Catherine of Siena, Wichita (2015), then as pastor of Sacred Heart, Frontenac (2018), before being assigned pastor of St. James, Augusta in 2021.
- Pastor: Rev. Philip J. (P.J.) Voegeli
- Ordained: May 23, 2015
- Birth date: June 29, 1986
- Pastor at St. James, Augusta since 2021
Contact & Visiting
The parish office is at 1012 Belmont Avenue in Augusta, Kansas, and can be reached by phone at 316-775-2155. The parish also live-streams Mass through its website for those who cannot attend in person. A parish bulletin, monthly calendar, and parish event calendar are all available online.
- Address: 1012 Belmont Ave., Augusta, KS 67010
- Phone: 316-775-2155
- Fax: 316-775-2131
- Pastor email: [email protected]
- Live-streamed Mass on the parish website
- Weekly bulletin published online
- Parish Event Calendar and monthly calendar online
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Reverend Philip J. Voegeli2021–present
Current pastor; previously pastor of Sacred Heart, Frontenac (2018) and assistant at St. Catherine of Siena, Wichita (2015).