About St. Joseph · Conway Springs, Kansas
St. Joseph Catholic Parish in Conway Springs, Kansas is a rural, Eucharistic-centered Catholic community belonging to the Diocese of Wichita. Founded in 1886 when six Catholic families migrated from Illinois, the parish today worships in a brick church built in 1958 (replacing the original 1909 frame church destroyed by fire in 1956), operates an on-site parish school serving about 96 students from preschool through sixth grade, maintains its own cemetery, and is led by Fr. Kyle Dugan. The parish describes itself as a community that 'fosters catholic education, prayer, worship, teaching and sharing our faith, while serving each other and our community, by the grace of Jesus Christ.'
- Established
- 1886
- Patron
- St. Joseph
- Rector
- Fr. Kyle Dugan
- Diocese
- Diocese of Wichita
Why belong here
St. Joseph is a Eucharistic-centered rural parish where faith formation, Catholic education, and community service are deeply woven into daily life. Parishioners of all ages are served by an on-site parish school (preschool through 6th grade), a Parish School of Religion for public-school children, RCIA, a youth group called Salt and Light, and traditional parish organizations such as the long-standing Altar Society (with its famous handmade quilts) and the Knights of Columbus. The parish is committed to perpetual adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, strong catechesis, and a tradition of lay involvement—most of its buildings were literally built by the hands of its members.
Mass times at St. Joseph
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:00–5:00 PM (in cry-room confessional behind screen)
- Wednesday 7:45 AM (30 minutes before morning Mass)
- Friday 7:45 AM (30 minutes before morning Mass)
- Anytime by appointment (call 620-456-2276)
Adoration times
- Come to the church and visit Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament at any time
About St. Joseph Parish
St. Joseph Catholic Parish is a rural, Eucharistic-centered Catholic community in Conway Springs, Kansas, belonging to the Diocese of Wichita. The parish describes its mission as fostering 'catholic education, prayer, worship, teaching and sharing our faith, while serving each other and our community, by the grace of Jesus Christ.' The parish operates both a worship site at 217 N 6th St and an adjoining parish school at 218 N 5th St.
- Mission: Eucharistic-centered rural parish fostering Catholic education, prayer, worship, and service
- Member of the Diocese of Wichita
- Worship site: 217 N 6th St, Conway Springs, KS 67031
- Parish school: 218 N 5th St, Conway Springs, KS 67031
Our History
The parish traces its roots to 1886, when six Catholic families from Illinois settled in Conway Springs just two years after the city's birth. For nearly two decades the faithful worshipped in private chapels—the Andrew Leddy home, then the upstairs of the Bon Ton Bakery—before a frame church was built in 1909 thanks to the generosity of Joe Lange, who matched all pledges and gave the parish its name. After the 1956 fire destroyed the frame church, Father Torline saved the Blessed Sacrament and the parish rallied to build the present brick church, dedicated by Bishop Mark K. Carroll on March 19, 1958. Most recently, parishioners built the current rectory themselves in 2006–2007, which was blessed by Bishop Michael Jackals on June 3, 2007.
- 1886: Parish founded by six Illinois families
- 1909: First frame church built; patron St. Joseph chosen
- 1917: Altar Society formed
- 1930: Weekly Sunday Masses begin; first Feather Party
- 1932: Father Alex Stremel becomes first resident pastor
- 1942: Parish school opens with 36 students
- 1950: Rectory and parish cemetery dedicated by Bishop Carroll
- 1956: Frame church destroyed by fire
- 1958: New brick church dedicated by Bishop Carroll
- 2006–2007: New rectory built by parishioners
- 2021: Father Kyle Dugan appointed pastor
Buildings & Property
The parish maintains a brick church, a parish cemetery, and a rectory on properties near downtown Conway Springs. The original cement cross salvaged from the 1956 fire is displayed on the southeast corner of the current church. The parish school is housed in a separate building one block away.
- Brick church (dedicated 1958)
- Original cement cross from 1909 frame church, mounted on southeast exterior corner
- Rectory built by parishioners 2006–2007
- Parish cemetery (acquired 1949, dedicated 1950)
- Mohr Field (named for Fr. Herbert W. Mohr)
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish offers a complete faith formation program for children and adults, anchored by its on-site Catholic school and a Parish School of Religion (PSR) for public-school students. RCIA welcomes adults into the Church, and Totus Tuus and the Salt and Light youth group round out the offerings.
- PSR for public-school elementary: Sundays 9:00 AM
- PSR for grades 7–12: Wednesdays 7:30 PM
- RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults)
- Totus Tuus summer program
- Salt and Light Youth Group
- Become Catholic inquiry program
St. Joseph Catholic School
St. Joseph Catholic School assists parents in developing good stewards who are both spiritually and academically prepared to live their lives in honor of God. Opened in September 1942 with 36 children taught by two Sisters of the Most Precious Blood, the school today serves about 96 students from preschool through sixth grade, with a 1955 addition that added classrooms, a principal's office, cloak rooms, and toilet facilities. The school is located at 218 N 5th St, Conway Springs, KS 67031, phone 620-456-2270.
- Founded 1942 with two Sisters of the Most Precious Blood
- Preschool through 6th grade
- Approximately 96 students enrolled
- School address: 218 N 5th St, Conway Springs, KS 67031
- School phone: 620-456-2270
- Principal: Mrs. Melissa Winter
School Staff
The school is led by Principal Mrs. Melissa Winter and supported by a full faculty of classroom teachers, a music teacher, a preschool aide, a PE teacher, an ILP aide, food-service staff, and a janitor.
- Fr. Kyle Dugan — Pastor
- Mrs. Melissa Winter — Principal
- Mrs. Ruth Whitney — Secretary
- Mrs. Roxanne Gillespie — Preschool
- Mrs. Catherine Koester — Kindergarten
- Mrs. Kim Shobe — 1st Grade
- Mrs. Christina Maus — 2nd Grade
- Mrs. Rebecca Hemberger — 3rd Grade
- Mrs. Melissa Hartman — 4th Grade
- Mrs. Allison Heimerman — 5th Grade
- Mr. Chase Boyd — 6th Grade
- Mrs. Jennifer Kelley — Music
- Mr. Josh Becker — PE
- Mrs. Paula Ast — Aide, ILP
- Mrs. Angie Doffing — Preschool Aide
- Ms. Kelly Doffing — Teachers Aide
- Mrs. Rena May — Food Service
- Mrs. Janey Pauly — Head Food Service
- Mrs. Elena Petersen — Janitor
Parish Staff
The parish is led by Pastor Fr. Kyle Dugan, with parish office support from Parish Secretary Judy Holzman.
- Fr. Kyle Dugan — Pastor ([email protected])
- Judy Holzman — Parish Secretary ([email protected], 620-456-2276)
Ministries & Organizations
St. Joseph's has a deep tradition of lay-led organizations that care for the church, serve the community, and support the parish priest and seminarians. The Altar Society—formed in 1917—is the women's organization responsible for the care of the altars, bread, wine, candles, vestments, altar linens, flowers, and seasonal beautification of the church. Its signature fundraiser is the Quilt Party, organized into 21 quilting groups. The Knights of Columbus hosts parish social and fund-raising events.
- Altar Society — founded 1917; meets first Mondays of Jan, Mar, May, Oct, Nov, Dec; quilt circle, funeral meals, Feather Party concessions, Mother/Daughter Breakfast
- Knights of Columbus — President: Mark Hemberger; Lenten Soup Supper, St. Patrick's Day Dinner, Sunday Pancake Breakfasts, Cub Scout Dinner, Clergy Appreciation Dinner
- Eucharistic Ministers
- Welcoming Committee
- March for Life
- St. Joseph Cemetery
Parish Councils
The Parish Pastoral Council coordinates the apostolic work of the parish and gives parishioners a voice in parish life, while the Parish Finance Council assists the pastor in administering the temporal goods of the parish as defined by Canon 532.
- Parish Pastoral Council 2023 members listed on website
- Finance Council 2023: Chad Andra, Allen Lange, Wendy Cox, Brandon Pauly, Tony Ternes
- Additional Finance Council members: Aaron Hemberger, Ralph Ohl, David Ebenkamp, Ross Hemberger, Stephanie Ohl, Paul Winter, Jared Allen
Sacraments
The parish prepares parishioners for the Sacraments of Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, and Marriage, hears Confessions weekly, and offers Anointing of the Sick by appointment.
- Baptism — preparation referenced in PSR materials
- First Communion
- Confirmation — receptions for candidates hosted by Altar Society
- Marriage — by appointment with the parish office
- Reconciliation — Saturday, Wednesday, Friday (see schedule)
- Anointing of the Sick — by appointment
Contact & Directions
Parishioners and visitors can reach St. Joseph's by phone at 620-456-2276 or by email at [email protected]. The church is located at 217 N 6th St, Conway Springs, KS 67031. The school sits one block away at 218 N 5th St (phone 620-456-2270).
- Phone: 620-456-2276
- Email: [email protected]
- Church address: 217 N 6th St, Conway Springs, KS 67031
- School address: 218 N 5th St, Conway Springs, KS 67031
- Website: http://www.stjoecs.org
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Priest from Wellington (visiting)1886–early 1900s
Served the founding Catholic families from Illinois; Andrew Leddy's home used as a chapel.
- Father Alex Stremel1932–1935
First resident pastor of the parish.
- Fr. Joseph J. Grellner1935–1946
Ensured the parish school was built in 1942.
- Father Joseph Oenbrink1946–1948
- Rev. Joseph Gerstenkorn1948–1950
Drew the blueprints for the new rectory and joined volunteers in building it; oversaw acquisition of the parish cemetery. Rectory and cemetery dedicated by Bishop Mark K. Carroll on Feb. 26, 1950.
- Father Steve Reif1950–1951
- Father Leonard H. Torline1951–1963
Saved the Blessed Sacrament during the 1956 fire that destroyed the frame church; oversaw construction and 1958 dedication of the new brick church.
- Father Herbert W. Mohr1963–1981
18-year pastor celebrated for playing softball with 6th-graders; Mohr Field is dedicated to him.
- Father John Zich1981–1982
- Father Robert Larson1982–1983
- Father Leroy Linnebur1983–1992
- Father Robert Wachter1992–1998
- Father David Linnebur1998–2002
- Father Thomas Hoisington2002–2008
First to occupy the new rectory built entirely by parishioners in 2006–2007.
- Father Andrew Seiler2008–2018
- Father Stuart M. Smeltzer2018–2021
- Father Kyle Dugan2021–present
Appointed to the parish on August 17, 2021.