1873-2012

St. Phillip Parish was established in 1873. Some of the first families to arrive in this area were Michael Dougherty in 1870 followed by Peter Morgan, Dennis Haley (Healy), Jacob Teats, James Ryan, August Henquenet, Woods, Thompson, Francis DeBroux, Hall, Phillip Hanavan and Thomas Gribben. 

In 1873, Fr. Philip Scholl ministered to the settlers of the area from St. Francis Xavier Church in Junction City. Our church was dedicated to St. Phillip the Apostle in Fr. Philip's honor. In the winter of 1877, a small church measuring 24'x30' was built and very simply appointed. Two statues, one of the Sacred Heart and one of the Blessed Virgin, graced the church. These two original statues are still a part of the decorum in the current church, one on each side of a lager statue of the Sacred Heart on the high altar. 

Priests form Junction City served St. Phillip's until 1877. From 1878-1888 priests from Solomon, Council Grove and Emporia ministered here. St. Phillip's became a mission of Abilene from 1888-1899 and from 1899-1903 was a mission of Elmo. In 1903 the parish was attached to St. John's the Evangelist, Herington, which by then had a resident pastor. 

The present St. Phillip's Catholic Church was built in 1909 at the site on S. Main St. donated by James Haley (Healy). It was erected under the direction of Fr. J. B. Glynn. Grancis L "Frank" Steffek, a parish member, was the building contractor. The church was dedicated on May 10, 1910 by Bishop John F. Cunningham. 

In 1936 the parish purchased the old Opera House and the adjoining gas station. The building was renovated by the parish to be used or parish dinners, programs and other functions. 

St. Phillip's Parish became a separate parish from Herington in 1946 with Fr. Fitzgerald continuing to serve in Herington until 1951. In 1946 Fr. John George Weber began to care for St. Phillip's from the orphanage in Abilene. 

In 1960 Elizabeth Lorson died. Her home was north of the church. It was her wish to bequest her home to the parish for use as a parish rectory provided a resident pastor was assigned. Bishop Frederick W. Freking appointed Fr. Basil Torres as the first resident pastor on Aug. 20, 1960. 

Fr. Lawrence Grennan was the last resident pastor. On Aug. 4, 1984, he was appointed to St. Patrick's in Lincoln, KS, and Hope became a mission of Herinton under the leadership of Fr. Richard Lutgen. In 1999, our present pastor, Fr. Mark Wesely, was appointed to Herington with the care of the Hope and Elmo Parishes. To date 33 priests have served us. 

On May 12, 1914, Sr. Maria Assumpta Gribben (Sabina Teresa), a native daughter, entered to Congregation of St. Joseph at Concordia. She received the habit on Aug. 15, 1914 and made her final vows in 1916. She taught for more than 50 years in schools staffed by the congregation. She died Nov. 18, 1984.

On March 26, 1955, Fr. Robert Dean Pool, a native son, was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Edward J. Hunkeler in Kansas City, KS. He offered his First Solemn High Mass in St. Phillips on Palm Sunday, April 3, 1955. Fr. Pool retired in 1996. He died Sept. 4, 2005. 

Since 1997, improvements to the physical plant include steel siding on the church, hall and rectory. In 1999 a new wooden drive wheel for the church bell was crafted by the Hope High School woodworking class. Trees were planted by George Dunlap on the west and south sides of the cemetery. In 2001 storm windows were installed on the church windows. The wheel chair ramp and sidewalk were built and landscaped in 2005. The church and rectory roofs were shingled in 2006. A new organ was donated in memory of Robert and Ronald Goracke in 2010.

In October 2006, Bill Rickenbrode, assisted by Bob, Phil and Chad Lorson, began the repair of the Cemetery Crucifix. It was completed in February 2007. In 2011 the crucifix was encircled by decorative stone. 

On April 25, 2010, St. Phillip's Parish celebrated the 100th anniversary of the dedication of the present church building on May 10, 1910. The theme for our Celebration was Psalm 100:5, "The Lord is good: His kindness endures forever, and His faithfulness, to all generations." At the Offertory, gifts in remembrance of those that preceded us were offered. The graduates were presented and our First Communicant and members of her family brought forth the offertory gifts. 

After the meditation hymn, Fr. Wesely introduced our honored guests, Jim and Alice Steffek Harris and their three children. Alice is the daughter of Francis L. "Frank" and Fortuna Morgan Steffek. Frank was the building contractor of the church. Fr. LeRoy Metro, pastor from 1969-1973 was welcomed. Theresa Lorson gave a brief church history. 

A reception followed at the Hall. Lunch and anniversary cake were served by St. Phillip's Altar Society. A performance by "The Sisters of Hope" concluded the celebration. 

St. Phillip's continues to welcome to its parish family area Catholics whose parishes have either closed or been given fewer scheduled Masses. 

Today we register 58 parish families with a membership of 109 souls. May God's blessings continue to reign upon our beautiful parish community.