About St. Patrick · Osage City, Kansas
St. Patrick Catholic Church in Osage City, Kansas, is a historic parish of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, founded in 1871 when Fr. Defouri first celebrated Mass near the Santa Fe Depot. Together with its companion parish of St. Patrick in Scranton (about nine miles south), it forms a "Tri-Community" Catholic family sharing one pastor, one parish office, and St. Brigid Hall. The parish family calls itself the "Patricians" and gathers for weekend Masses in both towns, weekday Masses, First Saturday adoration in Osage City, and First Friday and Tuesday adoration in Scranton.
- Established
- 1871
- Patron
- St. Patrick
- Rector
- Fr. Nusi (Parochial Administrator)
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas
Why belong here
St. Patrick offers a deeply rooted, multi-generational Catholic community that has celebrated the Eucharist in Osage City since 1871 and pairs weekly Mass in both Osage City and Scranton with first-Saturday adoration in Osage City and first-Friday/Tuesday adoration in Scranton. The parish shares its home with engaged ministries — a thriving Knights of Columbus council, an Altar Society, religious education led by Monica Greenwood, rosary and music programs, plus outreach to Birthright of Emporia, COF of Burlington, ECKAN in Osage City, and Help House in Lyndon. With small-town warmth, modern facilities in St. Brigid Hall, and a parish mission centered on encountering Christ in the Eucharist, St. Patrick is a generous, tradition-rich home for any Catholic family.
Mass times at St. Patrick
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday: 5:15–5:45 PM (Scranton)
- Saturday: 4:15–4:45 PM (Osage City)
- Anytime by appointment: 785-528-3424
Adoration times
- 1st Friday: 5:00–5:50 PM (Scranton), followed by Mass at 6:00 PM
- 1st Saturday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Osage City), beginning with Mass
- Tuesday: 5:00–5:50 PM (Scranton)
Our Story — St. Patrick Osage City
St. Patrick Catholic Church traces its origins to May 17, 1871, when Fr. Defouri came from Topeka to the home of a section foreman near the Santa Fe Depot, celebrated Mass, performed four baptisms, and witnessed a marriage. The very first church building was erected in 1873 by Fr. Joseph Perrier at 2nd and Lord Streets, only to be destroyed by an 1874 tornado. The resilient parishioners rebuilt on the same site, salvaged the bell, and in 1877 moved to a new location at North 6th and Lakin, where they built a rectory and a frame schoolhouse. After an 1896 remodel added a choir loft and altar, the parish had grown to 75 families — and then lost everything again to an April 3, 1908 fire. The present church was built under Fr. Degan, designed by Washburn & Son of Ottawa, and solemnly dedicated June 14, 1911 by Bishop John Ward, D.D., with the founding pastor Fr. Perrier celebrating the first Mass in his second Osage City church. Over the generations the parish has weathered tornado, fire, major remodelings (1951, 1971), the construction of St. Brigid Hall (2001), the building of Mount Calvary Cemetery (1914), and a joyful 2008 'Burn the Note' celebration that retired the hall's debt.
- 1871: First Mass near the Santa Fe Depot by Fr. Defouri
- 1873: First frame church built by Fr. Joseph Perrier at 2nd & Lord
- 1874: Tornado destroyed the first church; rebuilt from salvaged lumber
- 1877: Relocated to North 6th & Lakin; rectory and small schoolhouse added
- 1896: Remodel with new choir loft and altar
- April 3, 1908: Church and rectory destroyed by fire
- April 17, 1910: Cornerstone of present church laid
- June 14, 1911: Church solemnly dedicated by Bishop John Ward
- September 1914: Mount Calvary Cemetery dedicated
- 1951: Basement dug out
- 1971: Post-Vatican II remodel and 100th anniversary celebration
- June 1997: Present rectory moved from near Washburn University
- 2001: St. Brigid Hall completed under Fr. Mulvaney
- 2008: 'Burn the Note' party retires St. Brigid Hall debt
Parish Mission & Identity
The parish's stated mission is: 'We the Patricians of St. Patrick's parish family, grounded and united in our love of Jesus Christ, seek to encounter God in the holy Eucharist and share the Good News of Christ through the celebrations of the liturgy, the sacraments, prayer and unconditional service to all humankind.' Parishioners call themselves 'Patricians' — a fitting title for the flock of St. Patrick — and the parish emphasizes daily encounter with Christ in the Eucharist together with service to neighbors.
- Patron: St. Patrick
- Identity: 'Patricians of St. Patrick's parish family'
- Core practices: liturgy, the sacraments, prayer, unconditional service
Mass & Liturgical Schedule
St. Patrick's two worship sites (Osage City and Scranton) share one pastor and one schedule. A full weekly rhythm of Mass is offered between the churches, with a Vigil Mass on Saturday in Osage City and Sunday Masses in both communities. Weekday Masses rotate by location, and First Friday Mass is celebrated in Scranton.
- Saturday Vigil: 5:00 PM (Osage City)
- Sunday: 8:00 AM (Osage City) and 10:00 AM (Scranton)
- Tuesday: 6:00 PM (Scranton)
- Wednesday–Friday: 8:00 AM (Osage City)
- First Fridays: 6:00 PM (Scranton)
Sacraments
The parish prepares and celebrates the traditional seven sacraments with parish-wide preparation. Reconciliation is offered on a regular weekly schedule as well as by appointment. Marriage and funeral arrangements should be discussed with the priest ahead of time, and baptism is coordinated through the parish office.
- Baptism — contact the parish office
- Marriage — contact the priest prior to scheduling
- Anointing / Funeral — consult the parish priest for funeral services
- Reconciliation — Tuesday 5:15–5:45 PM (Scranton); Saturday 4:15–4:45 PM (Osage City); or by appointment (785-528-3424)
Liturgical Ministries
St. Patrick invites parishioners to take an active role in the Mass. Training is provided for most roles, and the parish is actively recruiting for several liturgical positions including hospitality, rosary leaders, lectors, sacristans, altar servers, cantors, musicians, and extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion.
- Altar Servers (must have completed 2nd grade; training provided)
- Sacristans (prepare altar and clean sacred vessels)
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
- Cantors (lead congregational singing)
- Ministers of Hospitality (ushers)
- Rosary Leaders (lead the Holy Rosary before weekend Masses)
- Lectors (proclaim the Word of God; training required)
- Musicians (instrumental accompaniment for Mass)
- Communion to the Homebound
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Religious Education is coordinated by Monica Greenwood ([email protected]), who also serves as Parish Ministry Coordinator. The parish continues to welcome volunteers to help with its religious education programs. Children's sacramental preparation is connected to the parish CCD/Religious Education program.
- Director of Religious Education / Parish Ministry Coordinator: Monica Greenwood (785-654-3572)
- Volunteer opportunities available for CCD teachers and helpers
Knights of Columbus
The Knights of Columbus bring together Catholic men from both parishes to support parish life, seminarians, and local charities. The Council prepares and serves breakfasts, hosts the Annual Lenten Feast, Golf Tournament, Tootsie Roll Drive, and Fall Clay Shoot, and channels funds to Birthright of Emporia, COF of Burlington, ECKAN in Osage City, and Help House in Lyndon. They also support the pastor and his mission.
- Grand Knight (recent list): Thomas Nordling
- Past Grand Knight / contact referenced: Tom Mock (785-217-4790)
- Monthly business meeting: last Wednesday, 7:00 PM at St. Brigid Hall
Altar Society & Parish Fellowship
Each worship site maintains its own Altar Society chapter that nurtures parish life through service, fellowship, and meeting together. The Osage City and Scranton Altar Societies each have their own president and host regular gatherings.
- Osage City Altar Society President: Virginia Cowan (785-528-3...)
- Scranton Altar Society President: Ann Delzeit (785-793-2891)
- Cleaning Angels volunteer program (church-cleaning with prayer)
Community Outreach & Charity
St. Patrick lives out its mission of 'unconditional service to all humankind' through the Knights of Columbus and parish-wide initiatives that reach beyond Osage and Scranton. Funds raised by parish events directly support local charities serving families in need.
- Birthright (Emporia)
- COF (Burlington)
- ECKAN (Osage City)
- Help House (Lyndon)
- Scholarships for graduating high-school seniors
Men's Prayer Group & Lenten Series
A Men's Prayer Group meets weekly in the early morning hours, and during Lent the men gather for a special series running from Ash Wednesday through Wednesday of Easter. These gatherings foster fraternity, prayer, and growth in faith among the men of both parishes.
- Men's Prayer Group: Tuesdays 6:15–7:30 AM
- Annual Lenten Series: Ash Wednesday through Wednesday of Easter
- Contact: Don Payne at 25... / 785.347.2709
Music & Liturgy
Music is led by Music Director George Alexander (785-549-3287). Cantors and instrumental musicians provide accompaniment for Mass, with a regular need for additional voices and instrumentalists. Anyone interested in sharing their musical talents is encouraged to contact the parish office.
- Music Director: George Alexander
- Open invitation to cantors and instrumentalists
- Rosary prayed prior to weekend Masses
Facilities: St. Brigid Hall & Rectory
St. Patrick's campus in Osage City includes the 1911 church and the rectory at 505 Lord Street, alongside St. Brigid Hall, which was completed in 2001 under Fr. Mulvaney and houses the offices shared by all three parishes of the Tri-Community. The rectory was moved from near Washburn University to its present location in June 1997.
- St. Brigid Hall (Osage City) — parish offices & meeting space
- Church Rectory — 505 Lord Street, Osage City
- Scranton Church — 400 East Bracken Street
Mount Calvary Cemetery
Mount Calvary Cemetery was dedicated in September 1914 as the parish's dedicated resting place for the faithful. It remains a tangible link between today's parishioners and the generations of Catholics who came before them.
- Dedicated: September 1914
- Location: Osage City parish grounds
Legacy Giving & End-of-Life Planning
The parish highlights its 150+-year legacy and encourages parishioners to plan their end-of-life wishes through wills, trusts, or beneficiary designations, as well as burial plans, to ensure that the next generation inherits the same vibrant Catholic community. Free, inexpensive, and easy options are available through the Archdiocese's Office of Stewardship and Development.
- Contact: Terri Lynn, Legacy Consultant, Office of Stewardship and Development, 913-647-0365
- Burial plans, wills, trusts, and beneficiary designations welcomed
Brookside Manor Mass
Faith is brought to those who cannot easily come to the church: the parish celebrates Mass at Brookside Manor in Overbrook, Kansas, on the fourth Wednesday of every month at 2:00 PM. The parish also brings Communion to the Homebound.
- Location: Brookside Manor, Overbrook, Kansas
- Frequency: 4th Wednesday of each month, 2:00 PM
- Companion ministry: Communion to the Homebound
Visit Us & Contact
Parishioners and visitors are warmly welcomed at either church. The parish office is open Tuesday through Thursday, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, and the pastor and staff can always be reached by phone (785-528-3424) or email.
- Mailing Address (both parishes): 309 South Sixth Street, Osage City, KS 66523-1356
- Phone: 785-528-3424
- Email: [email protected]
- Office Hours: Tuesday–Thursday, 9:00 AM–3:00 PM
- Osage City church: 303 South Sixth Street, Osage City, KS 66523
- Scranton church: 400 East Bracken Street, Scranton, KS 66537
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Defouri1871
Came from Topeka; celebrated the first Mass at the Santa Fe Depot and performed four baptisms.
- Fr. Joseph Perrier1873
Built Osage City's first Catholic Church; later celebrated the first Mass in the 1911 church he had sparked 38 years earlier.
- Fr. Moore, D.D.
First resident pastor of Osage City.
- Fr. Degan
Rented the Red Men's Hall after the 1908 fire and led the campaign for the present church.
- Fr. Mulvaney
Oversaw construction of St. Brigid Hall, completed 2001.
- Fr. Storey
Drove St. Brigid Hall's debt to zero; celebrated with the 2008 'Burn the Note' party.
- Fr. Anthony Ouellette2009-
Assigned in the 2009 Archdiocese reassignment; led repairs at Scranton.
- Fr. Nusi
Current Parochial Administrator (listed on 2021–2022 bulletins); shared by Osage City and Scranton.