About St. Mary and St. Anthony · Kansas City, Kansas
St. Mary's-St. Anthony's Catholic Parish is a historic downtown Kansas City, Kansas parish in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, serving the Wyandotte County Catholic community. Originally an ethnic German parish founded in 1858 (the oldest Catholic parish in KCK), it grew through an Irish presence and today is home to a vibrant Hispanic ministry alongside its longtime German-American roots, all united under devotion to St. Anthony of Padua. The parish offers Mass and the sacraments in both English and Spanish, daily and weekend, and serves as a center for faith formation, community festivals, and outreach in the heart of the city.
- Established
- 1858
- Patron
- St. Anthony of Padua (parish patron)
- Rector
- Rev. Peter M. Jaramillo, SSA
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas
Why belong here
St. Mary's-St. Anthony's welcomes everyone into a bilingual, multicultural Catholic family rooted in 165+ years of faith in downtown KCK. Whether you worship in English or Spanish, you'll find daily and weekend Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, Reconciliation, faith formation for every stage of life, and community rosaries, all united by a shared devotion to St. Anthony of Padua. The parish hosts a yearly Parish Festival in June, supports outreach through partners like Duchesne Clinic and PALKCK, and offers a warm place to grow as a disciple of Christ.
Mass times at St. Mary and St. Anthony
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 3:00 PM – 3:45 PM
- Wednesday: 6:30 PM – 7:00 PM (Spanish)
Adoration times
- Sunday: 8:30 AM – 11:00 AM
- Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM (Noon)
Our Story — A Parish Serving Wyandotte County Since 1858
St. Mary's-St. Anthony's is the oldest Catholic parish in Kansas City, Kansas. Founded in 1858 as the 'Mother of God' mission in Wyandotte City, the parish survived a three-year abandonment during the Civil War, rebuilt in 1865–66, and grew alongside waves of German, Irish, and Hispanic immigrants. In 1886 the German-speaking members formed their own parish, St. Anthony's, served for nearly a century by the Franciscan Friars of the Cincinnati Province. The two parishes were reunited in July 1980 and today share one church at 7th and Barnett.
- 1858 — Frs. Heinman and Fish begin St. Mary's Mission at 9th and Ann.
- 1861 — Mission abandoned during the Civil War under Fr. Mueller.
- 1864 — Fr. Anton Kuhls arrives to restart the work.
- 1866 — New St. Mary's church at 5th and Ann dedicated by Bishop Miege.
- 1886 — German-American members form St. Anthony's; Fr. Guido Stallo first pastor.
- 1890 — Basement church of St. Anthony's dedicated December 20.
- 1903 — Present St. Mary's church dedicated June 21.
- 1904 — Cornerstone of St. Anthony's laid July 3.
- 1906 — Solemn dedication of St. Anthony's, October 7.
- 1980 — St. Mary's and St. Anthony's reunite under Fr. William Finnerty; Franciscan association ends.
- 1981 — Fr. Raymond Davern begins 16-year pastorship.
- Today — Fr. Peter M. Jaramillo, SSA, serves as pastor.
Heritage, Diversity & Faith
Originally an ethnic German parish, St. Mary's-St. Anthony's has welcomed Irish and Hispanic communities through the years. United by devotion to St. Anthony of Padua, the parish embraces this diversity and weaves it into liturgy, faith formation, and community life — celebrating a multicultural Catholic heritage while proclaiming the message of Christ.
- German roots (1880s–1900s)
- Irish community presence
- Hispanic community — now a central part of parish life
- Bilingual English/Spanish Mass and sacraments
Parish Staff
The parish is led by Fr. Peter M. Jaramillo, SSA, of the Society of St. Augustine. He also serves as pastor of Holy Family and St. John the Baptist in the Strawberry Hill neighborhood and as vocations director for the Society of St. Augustine in KCK. Fr. John Melnick, SSA, is in residence, with Sr. Mary Michael MacChesney on staff and Maria Castro serving as parish secretary.
- Fr. Peter M. Jaramillo, SSA — Pastor
- Fr. John Melnick, SSA — In Residence
- Sr. Mary Michael MacChesney
- Maria Castro — Parish Secretary
About Fr. Peter M. Jaramillo, SSA
A member of the Society of St. Augustine, Fr. Peter grew up serving Mass as an altar boy and was formed under Augustinian Recollect direction. He has been active for many years in the Cursillo Movement and served as National Spiritual Advisor for the Cursillo Movement in the United States (2010–2013). As pastor of St. Mary's-St. Anthony's he emphasizes evangelization, small-group Hispanic faith communities, the celebration of the sacraments, and joyful parish life.
Other Sacraments
The parish accompanies parishioners through every major sacrament, with pastoral guidance available through the parish office.
- Baptism — by appointment; contact parish office.
- Marriage Preparation — notify the parish eight months prior to the wedding.
- Pastoral Care of the Sick — contact the church offices for Holy Communion, Anointing, and pastoral visits.
Faith Formation & Becoming Catholic
Faith formation at SMSA is for every stage of life — not just preparation for the sacraments. The parish welcomes anyone interested in becoming Catholic or deepening their Catholic faith to contact the main office to learn more about the process and ongoing formation opportunities.
- RCIA — for those becoming Catholic
- Continuing faith formation for parishioners of all ages
- Bilingual (English/Spanish) catechetical support
Parish Life, Festival & Community Outreach
Beyond Sunday Mass, the parish hosts the Parish Festival every June, community rosaries, and other parish gatherings that celebrate the mission of SMSA and its Catholic heritage. Through its historic buildings the parish also supports broader community work in Wyandotte County.
- Parish Festival — every June
- Community rosaries
- Duchesne Clinic (formerly the St. Anthony school building) — serves uninsured and underserved neighbors
- PALKCK (formerly the old St. Mary's building) — Police Athletic League youth programs, boxing, community garden, art classes
Facilities: The Church at 7th & Barnett and Casa Santa Rita
The parish church stands at the historic corner of 7th and Barnett Avenue — the cornerstone of the upper church was laid in 1904 and the church was solemnly dedicated on October 7, 1906. The parish office (Casa Santa Rita), named after the former St. Anthony Convent, is located separately at 632 Tauromee Avenue, Kansas City, KS 66101.
- Church — 615 N. 7th Street, Kansas City, KS 66101
- Parish Office (Casa Santa Rita) — 632 Tauromee Avenue, Kansas City, KS 66101
- Office hours: Mon/Tue/Thu/Fri 9 AM–3 PM; Wed 9 AM–1 PM
Contact & Visit
Visitors and parishioners can reach the parish office by phone, email, or in person during office hours. The parish invites anyone interested in becoming Catholic or enhancing their Catholic faith to get in touch.
- Phone: (913) 371-1408
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: smsakck.com
- Office: 632 Tauromee Avenue, Kansas City, KS 66101
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. William Finnerty1980–1981
First pastor of the reunited St. Mary and St. Anthony parishes (July 1980); ended 94 years of Franciscan administration of St. Anthony's.
- Fr. Raymond Davern1981–c.1997
Served 16 years; oversaw transition of old school building (later Duchesne Clinic), convent (now Casa St. Rita parish office), and old St. Mary's (now PALKCK community center).
- Fr. Peter M. Jaramillo, SSApresent
Current pastor; also pastor of Holy Family and St. John the Baptist in Strawberry Hill; vocations director for the Society of St. Augustine in KCK.