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Most Pure Heart of Mary Parish was established in 1946 with 136 families from Holy Name Parish located at 10th and Clay. (Presently, there are 2025 families/5205 parishioners.) Before the parish had a church, there was the St. Vincent's Home. The sisters of Charity began teaching 125 children in the parish in St. Vincen'ts south of the present school. Pastors at Most Pure Heart of Mary: Fr. John O'Connor (1946-'62) Fr. John "Jack" Quinlan ('62-'73) Fr. Thomas Culhane ('73-'83) Fr. Francis Krische ('83-Present) Here is a brief Leaven article from 1991 featuring Fr. Frank Krische. Below is a photo of Fr. O'Connor before the back altar. We think it is around the time the first Mass was celebrated (Easter, '61). Here is another photo of Fr. O'Connor.

Construction Facts: The main school building with eight classrooms was built in 1950. An annex (now home to the Krische Child Development Center) was added in 1957. Construction did not begin on the church building until November of 1959. The first Mass was celelbrated on Easter of 1961 (Year of Kansas' Centennial). Architect: Oscar S. Ekdahl (1908-73) of Ekdahl, Davis & Depew Architecture Style of Exterior: Modified English Gothic Cost (1960 dollars): $460,000.00 (construction, landscaping, drives, etc.) $80,500.00 (furnishings--pews, marble, stained glass, etc.)