About

- About

WELCOME! To Saint Mary’s Parish

We are a small Catholic congregation of about 180 households, spread through six-Midwest small towns and the farmland that surrounds them. The largest is Higginsville (population 4900) where our parish church is located. The other communities where our members live are: Alma, Corder, Concordia, Dover, Lexington, and Mayview. And a few come from an even greater distance.

Our parish is on the east edge of the diocese of Kansas City-Saint Joseph. It is situated fifty miles directly east of downtown Kansas City; in the country above the college-town of Warrensburg and below the County seat of Lexington.

We are a mix of young and old, families and single people. Our parishioners are farmers, teachers, a few business owners, and lots of everyday working people. A good number of our parishioners are members of extended families who have been a part of Saint Mary’s for generations.

As a small church we keep things simple. In this are of “MEGA” churches, we are just the opposite. The people who come to Mass here every Sunday all get to know each other. And they would be glad to welcome and get to know you!

There are new Parishioner Registration Forms available at the doors of the Church, or may me completed and printed off this web site.

HISTORY OF ST. MARY’S CATHOLIC CHURCH – 1879

The history of the Catholic Church in Lafayette County can be traced backward over a period of 130+ years.

The Rev. Bernard Donnelly, the pioneer priest of northern Missouri, made occasional trips to this county from his home in Independence to administer the Sacraments to the people of his faith. The church records of that time testify to his having baptized a considerable number of people in Lafayette County from 1845 and on for a few years.

The history of the Higginsville parish began in the 1860’s shortly before the building of the Missouri Pacific railroad in Lafayette County. At this time a few Catholics families settled in and about Higginsville.

In 1879 the small congregation was organized at Higginsville. At this time there were mission riders, going to other towns, who would stop and celebrate Mass. There being no church building, services were held in the homes.

The first church built by the Higginsville Pioneers was in 1879 under the guidance of Father J.H. Lilly. The church was built in the northwest part of town, now 17^th & Walnut. A small residence was later built – attached to the church. The priest at that time also administered to the Catholics of Corder, Odessa, Sweet Springs, and to the Catholic residents of the Confederate Home. The church building was destroyed by fire. The church also served as a school

In the summer of 1892 the Franciscan Fathers began to negotiate for a new church site in Higginsville. Two lots, Broadway and Hay, (now 401 W. Broadway) were obtained from Grove Young as a donation toward the new church and building began. The cornerstone was laid October 22 of the same year. Later a school was built onto the rear of the church and later two lots were bought east of the church and a two-story school was built in 1905.

In Nov. of 1928 the church building and residence was totally destroyed by fire. The ground was broken for the new church July, 1929.

Today we have approximately 185 families, an active P.S.R. a youth program, Confirmation Classes, Bible Studies, Altar & Rosary Society, Knights of Columbus along with ushers, lectors, choir, communion ministers, shut-in communion ministers, servers (both adult and children) , greeters etc.

Saint Mary's
Catholic Parish

Higginsville, MO

About