Over one hundred and forty years ago, St. Joseph Catholic Church, Ost was founded (1880) by German settlers, moving from the American north and east, seeking the space and freedoms of the Kansas life. These immigrants bought their farms, tilled the soil, and built their homes surrounding the central core and heart of their lives: The Catholic Faith!

The Eucharist, the source and summit of this Catholic faith, was glorified by the building of their first wood-framed church in 1880, and then twelve years later (1892), a second wood-framed church was built and the first church became the Catholic school. In 1913, the current church was constructed. This present church building has hosted the continuous worship, adoration, and reception of the Holy Eucharist for 109 years.

Further, to better pass on the Sacred Tradition of the Faith, the St. Joe community established a Catholic school one hundred and thirty years ago (1892). Later, in 1922, a three level school was built and dedicated. (This school still serves the education of four grades.)

Then, with particular arrangements with the Unified School District (USD 267), St. Joseph passed the administration of the school to the public school system. However, in the spring of 2004, the District ceased its administration and sold the property back to the parish. The following fall, St. Joseph Catholic Church, once again, began operating a Catholic school.

Admissions to the area’s only Catholic school began to rise. In 2011, a gymnasium and additional classrooms were built to meet the needs of the growing school. Currently, the St. Joseph Catholic School has an enrollment of 186 students (K-8) and 36 preschoolers.

As you may have already noticed, this parish is very young. Forty-two percent of the parish community is 18 years old and younger. Over seventy-nine percent, 49 years old and younger. The primary mission of the parish is the “Christ Centered Educational Excellence” of our youth.

Check out more of our history through these commemorative books:

• Centennial Book: Part 1  (100th Anniversary)

• Centennial Book: Part 2  (100th Anniversary)

• Centennial Book: Part 3  (100th Anniversary)

• Diamond Jubilee  (75th Anniversary)

• Golden Jubilee  (50th Anniversary)

St. Joseph Office Information

13051 E Maple Grove Rd
Mount Hope, KS 67108

Parish Office Hours: Tuesday-Thursday 9am-3pm

Phone: 316-444-2210, Emergency Line Ext. 9

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