BRIEF PARISH HISTORY, ORGANIZATIONS, and STEWARDSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

THE CHURCH & RECTORY

In 1869 Holy Name Parish began at Old Parker located on the east side of the Verdigris River about 2 ½ miles southeast of Coffeyville. Fr. Philip Colleton, S.J., from the Jesuit Osage Mission at St. Paul, Kansas, established a mission station in the home of George and Ellen Martin. The next year, with the help of Catholics and non-Catholics, he built a little wooden mission church at Parker. As soon as a bridge was built across the river, people moved their homes into Coffeyville. Thus in 1874 the little Church of the Most Holy Name of Jesus was moved and placed at 606 Maple.

In 1878 Fr. Paul Ponziglione S.J., transferred all the missions in Montgomery County to the Kansas Leavenworth Diocese. The Leavenworth Diocese split and in 1897 the church became part of the new Wichita Diocese. In 1898 Fr. Stephen Hermanns became the first resident pastor of Holy Name. Work began in the fall on a new wooden church at the same location with a seating capacity of 450. The new church was dedicated in June 1899. In 1902 Fr. Peter Tierney purchased an entire block of pasture land northwest of town (Osbome's Park) that is our present parish complex. He moved the church at 606 Maple to comer of 4th & Willow. In 1907 the existing rectory was completed.

In 1912 the cornerstone was laid for the present church that was dedicated September 17, 1916. It was another 15 years before the all the furnishings, the bell, the stained glass windows and the organ were installed. The Sisters of St. Joseph came in the fall of 1917 and established a school in the old church building. In 1923 the building was replaced with a new school located at 4th & Willow. There were four classrooms downstairs and upstairs was a much needed Parish Hall complete with kitchen and a stage! The first addition to the original school came in 1955 when four more classrooms and a modem kitchen, gymnasium and auditorium were completed. In 1967 a new convent was built through the generosity of James and Elizabeth Roberts.

The Rectory is the oldest building on site. It was built in 1907, heavily remodeled in 1951 by Fr. Larkin, mildly remodeled with tuck-pointing and central heat and air in the ‘70s and ‘80s, and lastly restored for it’s 100^th anniversary in 2007 by Fr. Spexarth.

THE SCHOOL

In 2000 the Robert Clements Estate was given for the benefit of the school. From the help of that estate and building fund commitments from parishioners, 2003 saw the completion of the much needed second addition to the school complex providing two large classrooms and two meeting rooms. The new meeting rooms create the Holy Name Parish Center. The Sisters of St. Joseph operate a school with six grades, kindergarten and pre-school. It is staffed by eight classroom teachers and a music teacher. There is also a school secretary and a janitor. There is a computer room, a maple floored basketball court, bleachers, locker rooms, a stage, office, library, teacher and clinic room and a kitchen.

VOLUNTEERS

The parish and school operate with a paid staff and volunteers. The large body of volunteers with

their knowledge and skills, and most of all their commitment, are essential for the spiritual and

financial success of the parish? A volunteer with a commitment is priceless and is needed for the

various ministries.

CHURCH MINISTRIES

WORSHIP

Altar Server

Divine Mercy

Greeter

Lector

Usher

Procession of Gifts

Prayer Chain

Rosary Leader

Adult or Children's Choir

Organist Pianist

Eucharistic Adoration

EDUCATION

Adult Education

Bible (faith) Study Class

GOF: Generations of Faith

PSR: Parish School of Religion

R.C.I.A Catechist

R.C.I.A Sponsor

COMMUNITY

Altar Society

The Quitters

Knights of Columbus

Holy Name School

Hispanic Ministry

Divine Mercy Team

Youth Group Leader

Secretarial/Clerical

Faith and Light

Maintenance team

Stewardship Cursillo

SERVICE

Food Pantry

Transportation

Visiting the sick & elderly

Welcoming Committee

Harvest House

Respect for Life

All of the original builders, benefactors and supporters are gone but not forgotten. They made the commitments, met the challenges and built the church and parish for posterity. Many originally came from Ireland, Germany, France, Austria, Hungary and Mexico. They came for many reasons and brought with them their faith and devotion to the Catholic Church. Their

desire for daily MASS and religious education for their children were top priorities for their sacrifices. Today almost every member has a volunteer job (quilting, mowing, church lector etc) be or she does to contribute to the success of the parish. There are 500 families in the parish today living in Coffeyville and the surrounding communities.

RESIDENT PASTORS

Fr. Stephen Hermanns, 1898-1901

Fr. Peter Tierncy, 1901-1921

Msgr. John O'Brien 1921-1947

Msgr. Patrick Larkin, 1947-1954

Msgr. M.J. Gorgas, 1954-1964

Msgr. Philip White, 1964-1969

Fr. Donal J. O'Hare, 1969-1984

Fr. John Mullen, 1984-1996

Fr. Leo Kerschen, 1996-1998

Fr. Robert Hartmann, 1998-2001

Fr. Michael J. Maybrier, 2001-2005

Fr. Jerome J. Spexarth, 2005-