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 17th & 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.