About St. Joseph · Leavenworth, Kansas
Immaculate Conception–St. Joseph Parish is a unified Catholic parish in Leavenworth, Kansas, served by the Carmelite Order (O.Carm.) since 1864. What is now one parish is the outgrowth of four historic Catholic communities in Leavenworth County: the Cathedral Parish of the Immaculate Conception (founded 1855), St. Joseph Carmelite Parish (founded 1858), Holy Epiphany Parish, and Sacred Heart Parish of Kickapoo. St. Joseph Church, at 306 North Broadway, was the first permanent Carmelite parish in the United States; Immaculate Conception Church, at 711 North 5th Street, was the first Cathedral west of the Mississippi, founded by Jesuit Bishop Jean Baptist Miege. The two parishes were canonically united on July 1, 2007 under the pastoral care of the Carmelites, and today worship, faith formation, music, outreach, and parish life flow across both church buildings.
- Established
- 1858
- Patron
- St. Joseph
- Rector
- Rev. Glenn Snow, O.Carm.
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas
Why belong here
Immaculate Conception–St. Joseph is a vibrant, multigenerational parish embracing people of all ages, races, and cultures, rooted in the Leavenworth community since 1858. Members can worship at either of two historic church buildings — St. Joseph on Broadway or the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on 5th Street — and choose from a deep bench of ministries: liturgical service as lectors, communion ministers, altar servers, choir and sacristans; faith formation for children, youth and adults through OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults); outreach through St. Vincent de Paul, the Bereavement Ministry, Interfaith Community of Hope, and the food collection; fellowship through the St. Joseph's Men's Society, Knights of Columbus, quilting group, Germanfest, and the parish picnic. With a Carmelite heritage of contemplative prayer since 1864 and the lively witness of being the first permanent Carmelite parish in the United States, the parish offers a rare combination of historic Catholic identity and active parish life.
Mass times at St. Joseph
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM at Immaculate Conception Church
Adoration times
- Eucharistic Adoration – 1 hour per week (parishioner sign-up; adoration is part of the parish's Prayer Ministry)
- Adoration also scheduled during OCIA on January 7, 2026 at Immaculate Conception Church
Parish Identity and Carmelite Heritage
Immaculate Conception–St. Joseph Parish in Leavenworth, Kansas is served by the Carmelite Order (O.Carm.), who have ministered at St. Joseph since 1864 — the Order's first permanent parish in the United States. As the parish website notes, Pope Benedict XVI once told Carmelite leaders, 'Carmel teaches the Church how to pray.' The unified parish embraces people of all ages, races, and cultures and worships in two historic downtown church buildings: St. Joseph at 306 N. Broadway and the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception at 711 N. 5th Street.
- Served by the Carmelites (O.Carm.) since 1864
- First permanent Carmelite parish in the United States
- Unified parish in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas
- Pastor: Rev. Glenn Snow, O.Carm.
History of St. Joseph Parish
Bishop John Baptist Miege, S.J. founded St. Joseph Parish on September 5, 1858 for the German immigrant community in the new Kansas Territory; the first church was dedicated July 10, 1859. In 1864 Bishop Miege entrusted the parish to Fathers Cyril Knoll and Xavier Huber, O.Carm., from Straubing, Bavaria, and the parish has been Carmelite ever since. The present German-style Gothic church was dedicated in 1871 under Fr. Albert Heimann, O.Carm.
- Founded September 5, 1858 by Bishop Miege
- Carmelites arrived October 7, 1864 from Straubing, Bavaria
- Present Gothic church dedicated 1871 by Bishops Miege and Fink
- German spoken for 80+ years; annual Germanfest since 2002
- 1945 storm damaged church; 1946 reopening installed the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel altar and excavated the basement now known as Kinzler Hall
History of Immaculate Conception Parish
Founded August 15, 1855 by Bishop Miege as his Cathedral Parish, Immaculate Conception was the first Cathedral west of the Mississippi. The current cathedral was begun in 1864 and dedicated December 8, 1868; it was then considered the grandest church between St. Louis and San Francisco. The Romanesque/Italian Renaissance interior features Corinthian columns, barrel-shaped ceilings, rounded arches, and ceiling decorations by the French artist Leon Pomrade. The church was extensively renovated and reopened in 2012.
- Founded August 15, 1855
- Dedicated December 8, 1868
- Ceiling decorations by 19th-century French artist Leon Pomrade
- Carmelites took over administration in 1981 at Archbishop Strecker's request
- Reopened after extensive renovation in 2012
The 2007 Canonical Union
Although the Carmelites began administering Immaculate Conception in 1981, the two parishes remained separate entities until their official canonical union on July 1, 2007. The merger preserves the identity of each church while unifying parish staff and ministries. Immaculate Conception celebrated its 150th Jubilee in 2005; St. Joseph celebrated its 150th in 2008. St. Joseph Church was repainted and refurbished in 2007 and Immaculate Conception Church underwent extensive renovations, reopening in 2012.
- Canonical union July 1, 2007
- 150th Jubilees: Immaculate Conception 2005, St. Joseph 2008
- Carmelite community moved to a new priory at 300 N. Broadway in 1990 under Fr. Cecil Pickert, O.Carm.
- Old Immaculate Conception Rectory razed in 1995 under Fr. Terrence Cyr, O.Carm.
Faith Formation and OCIA
Religious education is offered for parish children and high-school youth, using the former St. Joseph school buildings on Osage Street. The parish's OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) process meets throughout the year and follows the Archdiocesan program, including a December Christmas social, a January Eucharist-Adoration session, the Rite of Election at the Church of the Ascension in Overland Park, Scrutinies during Lent at the parish Masses, the Rite of Sending, and the Paschal Sacraments at the Easter Vigil.
- Religious Education for parish children
- High-school Youth Group
- OCIA (formerly RCIA) for unbaptized adults and candidates for full communion
- OCIA classes held with the parish staff; OCIA Coordinator: Jani Christoffersen
OCIA Schedule Highlights (2025–2026)
The parish publishes a full OCIA calendar. Upcoming sessions include Dec 10 (Baptism and Confirmation), Dec 17 (Catholic Christmas Traditions and Christmas Social), and January 7, 2026 (The Holy Eucharist, with Adoration at Immaculate Conception Church). The Paschal journey includes the Rite of Sending on February 22, 2026 at the 8:00 AM Mass at St. Joseph's; the Rite of Election at the Church of the Ascension in Overland Park; Penitential Rite on March 1, 2026 at the 10:30 AM Mass at Immaculate Conception; Scrutinies on March 7, 14 and 22; and the closing meal on April 22, 2026.
- Rite of Election at Church of the Ascension, Overland Park (Feb 22, 2026)
- First Scrutiny: Sat. March 7, 2026 at 4:00 PM Mass, St. Joseph
- Second Scrutiny: Sat. March 14, 2026 at 5:30 PM Mass, Immaculate Conception
- Third Scrutiny: Sun. March 22, 2026 at 8:00 AM Mass, St. Joseph
- Holy Thursday 7:00 PM Mass at St. Joseph; Good Friday 3:00 PM at St. Joseph / 7:00 PM at Immaculate Conception
- Paschal Vigil 8:00 PM at Immaculate Conception (April 4, 2026)
Liturgical Ministries
Parishioners serve at the altar and in worship as Gift Bearers, Lectors, Communion Ministers, Altar Servers (4th grade and up) and Adult Altar Servers, Sacristans, Youth Group Members, Music/Choir members, and Funeral Liturgy ministers. Theresa Vitt serves as Parish Music Coordinator.
- Lectors, Communion Ministers, Gift Bearers
- Altar Servers (youth and adult)
- Sacristans
- Music/Choir (Theresa Vitt, Parish Music Coordinator)
- Funeral Lector / Communion Minister team
Outreach and Social Concerns
The parish carries out works of mercy through the Bereavement Ministry, Interfaith Community of Hope, monthly food collections, transportation/errands for the elderly, Communion to the Homebound, and the local Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Parishioners also participate in the Carmelite Third Order, Altar Societies, and the Knights of Columbus.
- Society of St. Vincent de Paul
- Bereavement Ministry
- Interfaith Community of Hope
- Monthly Food Collection
- Transportation/Errands for the Elderly
- Communion to the Homebound
- Carmelite Third Order
- Knights of Columbus
Parish Life and Fellowship
The parish offers many ways to gather: the St. Joseph's Men's Society, St. Joseph's Quilting Group, a Young Adult Group, and First Sunday Coffee & Donuts. Major annual events include the Germanfest at St. Joseph (since 2002), the Immaculate Conception St. Patrick's Day Event, the parish Picnic, and receptions for Confirmation, First Penance & Eucharist, and OCIA. Funeral Dinners are provided through the parish community.
- St. Joseph's Men's Society
- St. Joseph's Quilting Group
- Young Adult Group
- Annual Germanfest at St. Joseph
- St. Patrick's Day Event at Immaculate Conception
- Parish Picnic
- First Sunday Coffee & Donuts
Prayer and Devotions
Continuing its Carmelite calling — 'Carmel teaches the Church how to pray' — the parish offers a Prayer Ministry with weekly Eucharistic Adoration, daily prayer for parishioners, prayer for vocations, prayer for the deceased, prayer for youth, and a Prayer for the Prodigals group. Parishioners can access 'How to Pray the Rosary' through the OCIA resources.
- Eucharistic Adoration (1 hour per week, parishioner sign-up)
- Prayer for Vocations
- Prayer for the Deceased
- Prayer for the Youth
- Prayer for the Prodigals
- How to Pray the Rosary (parish resource)
Parish Staff and Clergy
The unified parish is led by Fr. Glenn Snow, O.Carm. ([email protected]). He is assisted by two deacons, a Pastoral Associate and Director of Religious Education, a Parish Music Coordinator, a Parish Bookkeeper, and a Maintenance and Facilities Manager.
- Pastor: Rev. Glenn Snow, O.Carm.
- Deacon Patrick Hood — Pastoral Associate
- Deacon Dean Gilbert — Pastoral Associate
- Jani Christoffersen — Pastoral Associate & Director of Religious Education
- Theresa Vitt — Parish Music Coordinator
- Kathleen Roemer — Parish Bookkeeper
- Mark Brown — Maintenance and Facilities Manager
Catholic Schools
Parish children attend Xavier Elementary School, formed in 1979 by uniting four Leavenworth parochial schools. Xavier moved to a new site on Muncie Road near the Mother House of the Sisters of Charity in 2011. The former parish school campuses (most recently the 1963 Osage Street school and 1912 convent) now house the Parish Office and Religious Education classrooms.
- Xavier Elementary School (1979 consolidation; relocated to Muncie Road in 2011)
- Former St. Joseph school buildings now used for Parish Religious Education
- 1912 Sisters of Charity convent now the Parish Office (since 1975)
Visit, Contact, and Locations
Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish office at (913) 682-3953 or [email protected]. The mailing address is 747 Osage Street, Leavenworth, KS 66048. St. Joseph Church stands at 306 N. Broadway and Immaculate Conception Church at 711 N. 5th Street — both in historic downtown Leavenworth.
- Phone: (913) 682-3953
- Email: [email protected]
- Pastor email: [email protected]
- Mailing/Office: 747 Osage Street, Leavenworth, KS 66048
- St. Joseph Church: 306 N. Broadway, Leavenworth, KS 66048
- Immaculate Conception Church: 711 N. 5th Street, Leavenworth, KS 66048
- Archdiocese: Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas (archkck.org)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Cyril Knoll, O.Carm.1864–
One of two Bavarian Carmelite priests from Straubing, Germany, given administration of St. Joseph Parish by Bishop Miege on October 9, 1864, making it the first permanent Carmelite foundation in the United States.
- Fr. Xavier Huber, O.Carm.1864–
Arrived with Fr. Knoll from Straubing, Germany in 1864; co-administrator of St. Joseph Parish.
- Fr. Albert Heimann, O.Carm.1865–c.1871+
Bishop Miege's close associate; joined the Carmelite Order in 1865 and built the present German-style Gothic St. Joseph Church, dedicated 1871.
- Fr. Herman Golobic, O.Carm.1946
Led the parish after the 1945 storm damage; the 1946 reopening installed the present wood altar featuring Our Lady of Mt. Carmel.
- Fr. Leonard Kinzler, O.Carm.1946
Helped lead the rebuilding after the 1945 storm; parishioners excavated the basement to create the parish hall now named Kinzler Hall.
- Fr. Cecil Pickert, O.Carm.1990
Pastored the move of the Carmelite community to the new priory at 300 N. Broadway adjacent to St. Joseph Church; old St. Joseph Priory was razed.
- Fr. Terrence Cyr, O.Carm.1995
Pastored the razing of the old Immaculate Conception Rectory.
- Fr. David McEvoy, O.Carm.2000–2020
Native son of the parish; shepherded the 2007 canonical union and 2008 St. Joseph 150th Jubilee.
- Fr. Glenn Snow, O.Carm.2020–present
Current pastor; oversees the unified Immaculate Conception–St. Joseph parish.