St. Rose of Lima, now retitled "Our Lady & St. Rose," is in the Quindaro neighborhood. The cornerstone was laid in 1920, but the adjacent school (still standing, but obviously closed) was erected in 1908. 
I've been inside for Maundy Thursday liturgy (the Latin Massers yield that evening every year to their landlord, Blessed Sacrament). St. Rose is a mess. Although there is a modest high altar intact in the sanctuary, they've reordered the pews in a rather odd way, and it appears that the newfangled altar is now in the middle of the nave (it's rolled over into a transcept on Holy Thursday, so I'm not sure where it usually goes). There's a fair bit of water damage evident inside, and the grounds aren't kept up very well.
A pity there isn't more money to maintain the building, but I suppose it's better to keep it open than to close it, as it's already been consolidated once, and there are probably some folks who
can't drive to the next nearest church, Blessed Sacrament. I understand that the pastor for Blessed Sacrament is also pastor for Our Lady & St. Rose--they share a bulletin as well. Except for the history pasted in below, I don't know much else, but I really would like to know the name and location of the church title to the Blessed Mother that was consolidated into this church. Chime in if you can.
Transcribed from History of Wyandotte County Kansas and its people ed. and comp. by Perl W. Morgan. Chicago, The Lewis publishing company, 1911. 2 v. front., illus., plates, ports., fold. map. 28 cm. [Vol. 2 contains biographical data. Paged continuously.]
ST. ROSE OF LIMA CHURCH.
The parish of the St. Rose of Lima was organized October 6, 1907, by the Rev. William Michel. This new congregation is in the northeast part of the city. On account of the large population of substantial men and women a great future is prophesied for this new parish. Services were held at Flannigan's hall, Fifth street and Virginia avenue, until the new building at Eighth street and Quindaro street boulevard was erected. A new school was opened in 1907.
The Rev. William Michel has been a priest of the diocese for the pasteighteen years, for ten years having been located at Frankfort, Kansas and Irish Creek. In both these places he built new churches. Father Michel also erected one of the finest parochial residences of the diocese, which he occupied about two years. He came to Kansas City, Kansas, with the record of a hard worker and a priest devoted to his people.
At least it looks nicer on the outside then the St. Rose of Lima in Minneapolis. We call it "St. Rose of Tatooine" because it looks just like Jabba's palace.
ReplyDeleteI went to St. Rose of Lima from Sept 1059 thru 4th grade when I moved to St. Benedicts with the rest of my family. I made my First Communion there. Kids in my class were: Sean Garvey, Michelle Hoegler, Stevie Alvarado, Steve Anderson, Nancy Morgan, Barbara Monchil, Michael Wilson, Ed Shoemaker, Lynn Garrity, Billy Irwin, Doyle Travis, Alex Barger, Tanya Estrada, Ricardo Browne, Richard Collins, John O'Brian, and many more. I'm suprised that I remember this many names from my class!
ReplyDeleteAnyway - it was the best of times, it was the worst of times...
Chuck Denton
I came upon this website by accident. I, too, went to St. Rose of Lima grade school from 1959-1964. Chuck Denton did list some of the kids I had forgotten about. Here are a few more: John Monahan, Yolanda Irving, Carol O'Donnell, and Doyle Travis. I look upon those days as fond memories. The church had beautiful stained glass windows.
ReplyDeleteWow!!!!! I was thinking about St. Rose of Lima and thought I might find a picture of it online. I couldn't believe my luck in finding these posts. I only went to St. Rose for 1st and half of second grade, but it is indelibly ingrained in my memory. I moved in October of 2nd grade and attended o St. Pius X for 2nd - 8th grade. It was a very modern church for the times and I always missed the beauty of St. Rose. My older brother, Terry, graduated from St. Rose in 1960.
ReplyDeleteI also remember many recess times spent playing tether ball, playing on the jungle gym and going down the slide. Wasn't there a circular water fountain by the side of the school where several children could get drinks at one time? Sister Mary Charles was my first grade teacher. Chuck Denton, I can't believe you could even recall my name! Tanya Estrada was my best friend in 1st grade, but I did not remember her last name. I am so sorry this church has fallen into such disrepair.
Nancy I remembered you because I got into trouble (justifiably so) for 'flipping up' your dress while you were printing your name on the chalkboard. It wasn't a 'uniform' day, I think. Anyway I had no idea what I'd done. I got such a talking to from Sweet Sister Mary Charles. Probably the worst I got in my whole carreer. I remember those years with a lot of clarity and count them as the best of my life. Who is KCBIX guy? He had to be in our class. I think!
ReplyDeleteLast time I'll post, I promise...Anyone remember Fr. Dougherty? He celebrated 25 years as a priest, and the sisters and school & parish planned a big event. We all had a part to play, and I think it was while we were in Sister Edith's class that this happened, (3rd grade). We worked on a song over and over. She was looking for a sweet song to sing that had the word 'silver' in it for his anniversary. Sister came up with a song: "Oh you can dig my grave with a silver spade..." It was a hit.
ReplyDeleteFather Dougherty passed away within the year...wierd!!!
Chuck
WOW...couldn't believe I found this site. My family moved away from Kansas City in 1974 & I've often wondered what happened to St. Rose of a Lima. I was in first grade in 1967 and Sister Margaret Ellen was my teacher. I was the only black kid in my class. I dont remember many of the kids name in the 1st grade but I do remember during the 2nd semester another black kid named Mark Marion started going to St. Rose. In the 2nd grade I remember Our Lady merged with St. Rose of a Lima. The kids I remember were Robin Harris, Deborah Ingram, Michael Hutchingson, Henry Holliday and Craig Harris. Sister Mary Timothy Hoban was prinicipal then but I do remember Father Wimpy and Father Finnerty. My favorite nun was Sister Mary Eugenia Floresch. I am so happy because I've often wondered what happened to my Primary school. I am sad to hear it has closed but happy the building still remains
ReplyDeleteCharles(Chuck)Bradford
1967-1972
I could not believe my luck when I stumbled upon this blog. Yes I remember you well Chucky and all the other guys you mentioned. I also remember Kamm Barnett, Eva Davis, Carla Burdette, and David and Karen Burris. Although I stayed sick a lot, my favorite memories were there at Our Lady and St. Rose. I was there from 1968 (2nd grade) 'till the 6th grade 1973. I still go by the school every now and then and it still brings back good memories.
DeleteI remember you, Charles!!!! This is Robin Harris. I also remember all the other names you mentioned. We had so much fun there at the school. I ran across this by accident, didnt know this exists.
DeleteI too went to St Rose of Lima and made my first communion there. I was the shortest girl in my class and I remember Dexter Burdette, Joyce Monchil. My brother was in the class behind me and he also made his firt communion at St Rose. We moved away when I finished 6th grade and then we went to St Agnes in Roeland Park. St Rose was so beautiful. I still have my first communion pictures of the church. Cathy Patch
ReplyDeleteI lived right next door to the school and remember just walking across the alley to school. I always thought that it was so neat to be able to see my own back yard during recess. I remember Sister Ellen and Father Wimpy and the happy times. I was class mates with Mark Jones, Joann Baich, Elizabeth Potts, Sharon and Phyllis Scott just to name a few. I remember helping clean up at the church. I loved the beautiful stained glass church windows and the beautiful life like holy statues. I really miss those days, they were some of the best times of my life. I really love that church and school. I hope they are there forever.
ReplyDeleteThe priest that was there when I received communion was Fr Paul Kelly. Does anyone remember him? He was so handsome - or so I thought when I was a 1st grader. I remember some other classmates like Pat Messenger, and George Brockman. That year would have been 1955 until we left in 1961.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I was in your class Chuck. We stayed in the area until 1966,then moved north of the river.
ReplyDeleteDo you remember the Garveys? Well, I'm not a Garvey.
The last I heard of any of my classmates was Michelle Hoegler's wedding, because her father had made the wedding dress. There was a nice article in the Times, and my mother showed it to me.
It's nice to see that you remember the old school fondly, as I think most of us do. I'm a bit bitter about how run-down things are and probably shouldn't be.
I can remember Marcia Marti, Joyce Monchil, Kathleen Kellner and Kenny Kellner. We lived on North Mill St. When I taught at Washington High School in 1997 I drove over to the old neighborhood and was just shocked at the condition that it was in.
ReplyDeleteKC Bix guy!!! I remember EVERYBODY!!! Who are ya? Can't tell from your blog name. It was good, altho late on my part to see that you answered! My e-mail is LS525@att.net Send me a note real time!
ReplyDeleteTake care!
Chuck Denton
I just ran across this site. We were members of the parish from 1946 to the late 50''s. I was married there in 1952 and my husband and i had to immediately move to tulsa, okla because of his job. i didn't attend the school, altho had three brothers who did.i attended Ward High and graduated in 1948. lovely memories of st rose of lima.
ReplyDeleteI hope all who see this will be in attendance for the grand reunion August 13,14 15
ReplyDeleteI attended St. Rose from 1st through 5th grade when we moved out to western Wyandotte county which was known as Bethel KS back then. The years would have been 1954 to 1959. Classmates that I remember where, A J Wilcox, Steve Burdolski, Linda Nolan, Cathy Cassidy, Dexter Burdett, George Brockman, Marci Marty. St. Rose was a beautiful church, it is a shame they have stripped it of its beauty inside and the rest of the building is in such need of repair. Lots of fond memories. Someone was asking about a circular water fountain next to the school. Yes, I remember it. I also remember when we were allowed to play in the little park across from the church. You had to be a certain grade to do that. My name was Mary Ann Grzybowski.
ReplyDeleteMary Ann Grzybowski I was in your class. I am Cathy Patch. We lived on North Mill st and I was good friends with Marcia Marti. I'm glad that you happened on to this site. I don't check this very often but just happened to get your email. I don't live in Kansas anymore but now in cold, cold Iowa. As with age, I have also forgotten a lot of my classmates names. You have just sparked my memory. Thank you. Hope all is well with the old class of St Rose of Lima.
ReplyDeleteI came across this site after deciding to do some research about what had happened to St Rose of Lima church and school. My curiosity was piqued by recently going thru some old boxes of items from my childhood and finding an 8×10 color plaque depicting St Rose surrounded by children. I remember being given that plaque after selling I don't know how many books of stamps (or something of the nature) of St Rose for a fundraiser.
ReplyDeleteI went to St Rose for 1st & 2nd grades only; we moved to western KCKS after 2nd grade and attended St Patrick's. It would have been about '63-'65 that I attended St Rose school and received my First Communion at the church. My teacher for both grades was Sister Margaret Ellen. I clearly remember Fr Wimpy! My best friend in my class was Tracy Burdette. I also remember Mark Burdolski,Mary Ann(?)Baich, and a girl named Marlene. I remember the faces of others in my class, but not their names.
I remember how beautiful the church was, and the stained glass windows left me with a love of stained glass forever. Masses were said in Latin, which I didn't understand but to which I knew all the appropriate responses. Those Latin masses led me to study Latin for 4 yrs in HS.
What I remember most about the school was the excellent education I received there, a truly solid foundation that spurred my love of reading and writing. After we moved to western KCKS, I began attending public school. The school put me in the "slow" 3rd grade class because I had gone to a Catholic school (my parents weren't happy about that!) and didn't attend kindergarten. Within 3 weeks, I was moved to the "advanced" 3rd grade class. Sister Ellen taught me well!
Oh, and I clearly remember that circular water fountain on the side of the school!
My name was Anne Thompson. I had long dark hair and was a shy kid. I graduated from Washington HS, class of '76.
My name is Joyce Smith Conn. I actually lived off 18th and Quindaro, I attended St Rose of Lima way back in 1948. Had my first communion there. My younger brother Wayne was terrified of the nuns, but I loved the school. I remember going across from the church to play on the playgrounds there. I give the Catholic Church all the credit for my solid beliefs in being respectful to my elders and obeying. Most times we would ride the city bus to school but when we missed the bus we walked those 10 blocks with not a fear in the world. Oh how I wish life was so simple these day.
ReplyDeleteWe moved to western Wyandotte county in 1955. Graduated Washington HS. I’ve been down 18th street north of Quindaro, my old street is gone, new houses with real green grass. Not the same. Wish I could remember some of the names of the kids I went to school, but too long ago. Glad I searched the church and wpexactly where it is, I’m so sorry it has evidently vandalized, I’ve had a priest in Basehor, Ks tell me that st Rose is the only church to do the Latin mass. Wonder if that’s even true anymore. Is the church non functional? So sad, it was a gorgeous church. Loved reading all the comments.
Bill Moseley here. Now live in Kingwood, TX
ReplyDeleteWent to st rose thru 4th grade (1955 ?) and moved to Blessed Sacrament on Parallel. Sister Jennifer and Paul also attended. Father Kelly was pastor. Loved that guy ! I remember the Alvarados, Kellners, Cassidys, Burdettes, Garveys, Burdolskis.