St. Philip Neri
Franklin, Kansas
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Records show that St. Philip Neri parish in Franklin had its beginning in 1915. Father John Wojciechowski was named the first pastor, to be succeeded by Father Joseph Cipolletti, SOSB, a year later. The first church building was completed by the Silvestrine Benedictines in 1916, only to be destroyed by fire three years later. Father Joseph Pompeney was named the third pastor and he saw to the rebuilding of the church in the fall of 1919, only to see it reduced to ashes once again in January of 1920. Undaunted, the parishioners were determined to have a house of worship once again. A large hall was purchased and moved to Franklin and remodeled into a church, then dedicated by Bishop Schwertner on October 17, 1921. It was to see many improvements in the coming years.
The Capuchin Fathers staffed the parish from 1934 to 1950. In the meantime, the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary from Mt. Carmel Academy in Wichita conducted summer vacation schools at the local public school in the town.
In 1945, the church was moved to a new location near Highway 69. In the fall of that year, a parish mission was held, given by the Capuchin Fathers from Pittsburgh, Pa. These priests heard confessions for Slovenians, many of whom were present.
During the summer of 1951, the old rectory from Our Lady of Lourdes in Pittsburg was dismantled and rebuilt at the Franklin Parish site. It was blessed time for the installation of Father Vincent Brown as the new pastor of the parish. An interesting feature of the parish grounds is the highway shrine in honor of Our Lady, which was dedicated in August of 1954.
Recent pastors who have served St. Philip Neri include Fathers Francis Heyer, Joseph Donohoe, Michael O'Malley, Robert Watson, Marino Caldarelli, Neil Diver, Justin Betzen and Edward Steinberger. Father Charles J. Middleton is present pastor.
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Newspaper Article - 1976
Memories
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Franklin, Kansas
Historical artifacts: We
were able to salvage many artifacts
from the St. Philip Neri Catholic Church. Many of those
items need to
be restored as well as a place to house them. We plan to
place a historical sign at the new community park with many of the
concrete items imbedded. The bell possibly will be used at
the new community center. Anyone who would like
to contribute toward this worthy cause can send a donation made payable
to "FCCI" and be sure
to mark it for "Historical preservation". Donations can be
sent to: Franklin Community Council, Inc. (FCCI), P.
O.
Box 43, Franklin, Ks. 66735-0043
If you have any photos to contribute to this page
I'd be thrilled to have them. All originals will be returned
or I will be happy to pay for the cost of duplication. Also
any stories or memories that you would like to share and have displayed
for future generations I'll be glad to post them to this page.
If you have any more information about the photos that are here please
contact me with your story. 1915: Parish beginning
1916: Church building completed by the Silvestrine Benedictines
1919: Church destroyed by fire
1919: (Fall) Rebuilt
1920: (January) Destroyed by Fire
1921: (October 17) Dedication of new church which was moved into Franklin and remodeled
1934-1950: Staffed by the Capuchin Fathers with summer schools taught by Sisters of Charity of the BLessed Virgin Mary from Mt. Carmel Academy, Wichita
1945: Moved to new location on Highway 69
1951: (Summer) Rectory moved from Our Lady of Lourdes in Pittsburg and rebuilt at the Franklin Parish Site
1954: (August) Dedication of the highway shrine in honor of Our Lady.
1976: Parishioners asked to attend Mass in Arma. Census of the parish showed 21 households as members of St. Philip Neri.
1987: (June 1) Official closing of St. Philip Neri Parish
2004: (August 23) Demolition of structure.
1916: Church building completed by the Silvestrine Benedictines
1919: Church destroyed by fire
1919: (Fall) Rebuilt
1920: (January) Destroyed by Fire
1921: (October 17) Dedication of new church which was moved into Franklin and remodeled
1934-1950: Staffed by the Capuchin Fathers with summer schools taught by Sisters of Charity of the BLessed Virgin Mary from Mt. Carmel Academy, Wichita
1945: Moved to new location on Highway 69
1951: (Summer) Rectory moved from Our Lady of Lourdes in Pittsburg and rebuilt at the Franklin Parish Site
1954: (August) Dedication of the highway shrine in honor of Our Lady.
1976: Parishioners asked to attend Mass in Arma. Census of the parish showed 21 households as members of St. Philip Neri.
1987: (June 1) Official closing of St. Philip Neri Parish
2004: (August 23) Demolition of structure.
- Read about it and see the
photos as the artifacts are removed.
- See photos as the church is torn down.
- See photos of the restoration of the interior .
PASTORS:
Father John Wojciechowski (1915) 1st pastor
Father Joseph Cipolletti, SOSB, (1916)
Father Joseph Pompeney (--1920--)
Capuchin Fathers (1934-1950)
Father Vincent Brown (1951)
Father Francis Heyer
Father Joseph Donohoe
Father Michael O'Malley
Father Robert Watson
Father Marino Caldarelli
Father Neil Diver
Father Justin Betzen
Father Edward Steinberger
Father Charles J. Middleton
Father John Wojciechowski (1915) 1st pastor
Father Joseph Cipolletti, SOSB, (1916)
Father Joseph Pompeney (--1920--)
Capuchin Fathers (1934-1950)
Father Vincent Brown (1951)
Father Francis Heyer
Father Joseph Donohoe
Father Michael O'Malley
Father Robert Watson
Father Marino Caldarelli
Father Neil Diver
Father Justin Betzen
Father Edward Steinberger
Father Charles J. Middleton
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The following information was taken from the
Wichita Diocese 1987 Diocesan Parish Book. Thanks to Sr. Jacinta
Langlois,
ASC for her help We are very appreciative.
Records show that St. Philip Neri parish in Franklin had its beginning in 1915. Father John Wojciechowski was named the first pastor, to be succeeded by Father Joseph Cipolletti, SOSB, a year later. The first church building was completed by the Silvestrine Benedictines in 1916, only to be destroyed by fire three years later. Father Joseph Pompeney was named the third pastor and he saw to the rebuilding of the church in the fall of 1919, only to see it reduced to ashes once again in January of 1920. Undaunted, the parishioners were determined to have a house of worship once again. A large hall was purchased and moved to Franklin and remodeled into a church, then dedicated by Bishop Schwertner on October 17, 1921. It was to see many improvements in the coming years.
The Capuchin Fathers staffed the parish from 1934 to 1950. In the meantime, the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary from Mt. Carmel Academy in Wichita conducted summer vacation schools at the local public school in the town.
In 1945, the church was moved to a new location near Highway 69. In the fall of that year, a parish mission was held, given by the Capuchin Fathers from Pittsburgh, Pa. These priests heard confessions for Slovenians, many of whom were present.
During the summer of 1951, the old rectory from Our Lady of Lourdes in Pittsburg was dismantled and rebuilt at the Franklin Parish site. It was blessed time for the installation of Father Vincent Brown as the new pastor of the parish. An interesting feature of the parish grounds is the highway shrine in honor of Our Lady, which was dedicated in August of 1954.
Recent pastors who have served St. Philip Neri include Fathers Francis Heyer, Joseph Donohoe, Michael O'Malley, Robert Watson, Marino Caldarelli, Neil Diver, Justin Betzen and Edward Steinberger. Father Charles J. Middleton is present pastor.
* * * * * * *
Newspaper Article - 1976
Memories
Click on photos for larger image then use your "back" button to return to this page.
