| When Damar, Kansas was settled in the 1880s, most land
available to the public was gone, but under the Homestead act, Civil War
veteran Francis St. Peter was able to purchase one hundred and sixty acres
of land in western Rooks County, Kansas. St. Peter was French Canadian
and more French Canadian settlers soon joined him.
The first community was a couple of miles away, but when
the railroad came through, the community and the first small wooden church
were moved to the present location. The new building was built over many
years.
The towers at St. Joseph's Catholic Church were completed
in 1913, but the first mass wasn't celebrated until 1917. Some of the nicest
features were added during renovation in the 1940s and early 1950s.
After many years of deferred maintenance, significant
work on the church is necessary, St. Joseph's Catholic Church has secured
$190,000 in grants, and with additional money from the congregation, will
have important work performed in 2006 and 2007.
St. Joseph's Catholic Church is open to visitors
7 days a week. Mass is celebrated early each morning, call (785) 839-4343
for times. The interior is quite beautiful, particularly the marble like,
schglioia covered pillars. |
1940s stained glass window
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