About St. Joseph · Wichita, Kansas
St. Joseph Catholic Church is a historic parish near downtown Wichita, Kansas, founded in 1886 (church dedicated October 16, 1887) and established as a parish in its own right on October 7, 1913. The parish was administered by the Redemptorist Fathers from 1920 until 1993, when ownership returned to the Diocese of Wichita. Today it is served by diocesan priests and is home to a PreK-8 parish school, a strong faith-formation program for children and youth, a perpetual adoration chapel, and the historic devotion of Tuesday Novenas to Our Lady of Perpetual Help.
- Established
- 1886
- Patron
- St. Joseph
- Rector
- Rev. Matthew T. (Matt) Siegman
- Diocese
- Diocese of Wichita
Why belong here
St. Joseph is a small, historic parish near downtown Wichita with a walkable, family feel — generations of the same families have worshipped here since 1886. The parish offers daily and weekend English Mass, a robust PreK-8 Catholic school, faith formation for children and youth (including Totus Tuus and PSR), the OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) process, Bible study and Little Flowers, Bible-Study/CYM/Joe youth groups, and a vibrant Perpetual Adoration chapel. Its long-running Tuesday Novenas to Our Lady of Perpetual Help and the welcoming presence of Fr. Matt Siegman and parish/school staff (Alice Johnson and Amy Samples) make St. Joseph a place where people can put down roots and grow in the Catholic faith.
Mass times at St. Joseph
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday–Saturday: 7:30 am – 7:50 am (30 minutes prior to weekday Mass)
- Tuesday & Wednesday: 5:30 pm – 5:50 pm
- Saturday: 3:00 pm – 3:50 pm
- Sunday: 11:00 am – 11:20 am
- Priest leaves confessional ten minutes before the next scheduled Mass
Adoration times
- Perpetual Adoration in the parish Adoration Chapel (sign-ups coordinated by Jana Schoen, 655-7752)
- Currently open hours needing coverage: Monday 8 am; Tuesday 9 am; Thursday 12 am, 1 am, 6 pm; Friday 8 am; Saturday 12 am
Parish Identity & Mission
St. Joseph Catholic Parish sits near downtown Wichita at the corner of Burton and Millwood. Its mission, printed on the parish website, reads: 'As disciples of Jesus Christ, and stewards of our Father's blessings, we share our gifts to foster the Catholic Faith through worship, religious education, and ministry of love and compassion for one another.' The parish traces its roots to 1886 — older than the Diocese of Wichita itself — and today functions as a parish school parish with daily Mass, perpetual adoration, a strong school, and an active formation program.
Our Parish History
The parish's website hosts a rich, multi-section history titled 'Our Parish History,' beginning with the 1887 dedication by Fr. Michael J. Casey and continuing through the 1909 re-dedication by Bishop Hennesy, the 1913 constitution as a parish under Fr. Dennis Healy, the 1920 arrival of the Redemptorists under Father Peter Maas, the 1921 school, the 1928 sanctuary expansion, the 1949 front-entrance remodel, the 1985 Parish Center, the 1986 Centenary, the 1992 hail-storm damage, and the 1993 re-consecration by Bishop Eugene Gerber. The story is built around the people — pastors, parishioners, sisters (B.V.M.), architects, and benefactors — rather than dates alone.
- Dedicated October 16, 1887 by Fr. Michael J. Casey
- Re-dedicated October 31, 1909 by Bishop Hennesy
- Constituted a parish October 7, 1913 under Fr. Dennis Healy
- Redemptorist Fathers arrived April 1, 1920 (Fr. Peter Maas, Easter Sunday)
- 1921 school building (now the present school) dedicated by Bishop Schwertner
- 1925: Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help begun
- 1928: sanctuary extended 24 feet, capacity 432
- 1949: new front entrance and bell tower; first daughter parish (St. Anne)
- 1970: Redemptorist Golden Jubilee
- 1985: Parish Center blessed by Bishop Gerber
- 1986: Parish Centenary Jubilee
- 1993: fire damage repaired; Redemptorists return parish to Diocese
St. Joseph Catholic School (PreK–8)
St. Joseph Catholic School is a small, parish-supported, private Catholic school serving Pre-K through eighth grade near downtown Wichita. Its mission is 'Educating all pupils in the Catholic faith Tradition as responsible stewards, respectfully serving all humanity.' The school's four core values are Faith, Stewardship, Community, and Commitment; it operates a 'Stewards of Christ' character program. The school building on Millwood dates back to 1921, with additions over the decades.
- Principal: Brian Campbell
- Secretary: Amy Samples
- School office: 139 S. Millwood, Wichita, KS 67213
- Phone: 316-261-5860
- Office hours (school year): Monday–Friday, 8 am – 3 pm
- Pre-K enrollment information available via the school page
- Faith, Stewardship, Community, Commitment — core values
Faith Formation
Faith Formation at St. Joseph is led by Bridget Sublett (Formation Commissioner). Programs include the Totus Tuus summer catechetical program (Day Program grades 1–6, June 15–19, 2026; Evening Program grades 7–12, June 14–18, 2026), PSR (Parish School of Religion), Little Flowers (Jennifer Spexarth), OCIA / Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (Fr. Siegman), CYM/Joe youth ministry, and Bible Study. Adult faith formation talks are being developed by Fr. Matt on the 'Hard Teachings of the Church,' 'Catholic Morality,' 'Church History,' and 'The Virtue of Religion.'
- Totus Tuus Day Program (1–6) – June 15–19, 2026
- Totus Tuus Evening Program (7–12) – June 14–18, 2026
- PSR — open leader
- Little Flowers — Jennifer Spexarth
- OCIA — Fr. Siegman
- CYM/Joe — open leader
- Bible Study
- Adult Faith Formation — Fr. Matt (in development)
Liturgy & Sacraments Schedule
The parish website publishes a full schedule of Masses, confessions, and event information. Weekend Masses are Saturday at 4:00 pm and Sunday at 8:00 am and 9:30 am (all in English; the 9:30 am Mass is typically livestreamed on YouTube). Daily Mass is Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 8:00 am, and Wednesday evening at 6:00 pm. Confessions are heard 30 minutes before every daily Mass, plus Saturday 3:00–3:50 pm and Sunday 11:00–11:20 am. Latin Mass times are available via the parish calendar or office, per the Responsa ad dubia of December 4, 2021.
- Sat vigil 4:00 pm; Sun 8:00 am, 9:30 am
- Weekday 8:00 am (Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat); Wed 6:00 pm
- Confessions 30 min before every daily Mass; Sat 3:00 pm; Sun 11:00 am
- Perpetual Adoration in chapel (Jana Schoen, 655-7752)
- Livestream on YouTube (Sunday 9:30 am)
Sacramental Information
The parish office helps arrange all seven sacraments. Baptisms are usually scheduled after Mass and require a baptism-request form. Marriage preparation typically takes nine months; couples are asked to meet with Fr. Matt before reserving halls or caterers. Funerals may be arranged by calling the parish office (316-261-5800) or by having the chosen mortuary contact the parish. Anointing and Last Rites are available 24/7 via the Sacramental Emergency Line (316-747-9799).
- Baptism: office appointment plus baptism request form
- Marriage: 9-month preparation; meet Fr. Matt first
- Funerals: call 261-5800 or have mortuary contact parish
- Sacramental Emergency (Last Rites): 316-747-9799
Parish Staff & Contact
Parish operations are coordinated by a small, dedicated team. Fr. Matthew T. Siegman is the pastor. Alice Johnson serves as parish secretary. The school is led by Principal Brian Campbell and secretary Amy Samples. The Sacramental Emergency Line (316-747-9799) is staffed for Last Rites and similar needs. The bulletin can be submitted to [email protected].
- Fr. Matthew T. Siegman — Pastor (ordained May 25, 2019)
- Alice Johnson — Parish Secretary
- Brian Campbell — Principal (school)
- Amy Samples — School Secretary
- Parish office: 132 S. Millwood, Wichita, KS 67213
- Phone 316-261-5800 / Fax 316-261-5806
- Sacramental Emergency: 316-747-9799
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Michael J. Casey1887
Dedicated the first St. Joseph Church as pastor of St. Aloysius
- Fr. T.A. McKernan1909
Associate from St. Aloysius Cathedral, frequently said Mass and signed records after re-dedication
- Father Dennis Healy1913–1920
St. Joseph's first resident pastor; built the larger church; died of tuberculosis the day after the parish mortgage was burned
- Father Peter Maas, C.Ss.R.1920–1924
First Redemptorist pastor; oversaw school and church expansion
- Father "Black John" Miller, C.Ss.R.1924–1930
Promoted Our Lady of Perpetual Help picture to St. Mary's Altar, beginning Tuesday novenas
- Father John "Curly" Mueller, C.Ss.R.1930–1936
300 parish families, 200+ students
- Father Francis Fagen, C.Ss.R.1936–
Exceptional preacher; celebrated 1937 Golden Anniversary
- Father Louis Kemmer, C.Ss.R.
Transferred to San Antonio, May 1942
- Father August Zeller, C.Ss.R.1942–1945
WWII pastor; led Silver Jubilee of Redemptorists, 1945
- Father Arthur Klyber, C.Ss.R.1945–
Pastored through post-war expansion
- Father Peter Sattler, C.Ss.R.
Reassigned Dec. 10, 1955
- Father Thomas Landers, C.Ss.R.1956–1958
Third assignment at St. Joe
- Father Ralph Michaels, C.Ss.R.1958–
Witnessed birth of grand-daughter parishes St. Cecilia and St. Francis of Assisi
- Father Gerard Liebst, C.Ss.R.1967–1971
Suffered heart attack May 3, 1971
- Father Joseph Ostrander, C.Ss.R.1971–1972
Succeeded Fr. Liebst; resigned
- Father Martin Stillmock, C.Ss.R.1972–1981
Launched Parish Center building fund
- Father Wilfred Lowery, C.Ss.R.1981–1987
Led 1986 Centenary Jubilee and 1985 Parish Center dedication
- Father William Parker, C.Ss.R.1987–1992
Succeeded by Dan Andree in April 1992
- Father Daniel Andree, C.Ss.R.1992–
Oversaw repair of 1992 hail-storm damage and church remodel re-consecrated by Bishop Gerber in 1993
- Rev. Matthew T. Siegman
Current pastor; ordained May 25, 2019; previously parochial vicar and then administrator of Church of the Blessed Sacrament, Wichita