Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church

Father Barry Brinkman, Pastor

307 East 5th Street, PO Box 608
Concordia, KS 66901
Phone: 785.243.1099
Fax: 785.243.1939
Email: conolph@yahoo.com

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A Brief History of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish

When the Diocese of Concorida (now Salina) was established on August 2, 1887, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church became the Cathedral for the Diocese. The Church had been built under the direction of Father Louis M. Mollier and had first been used for services in 1879. A rectory was completed in 1882 and a school, staffed by lay teachers, opened in 1883. The first bishop, Bishop Richard Scannell, arrived in December of 1887.

In the early 1900's the Church was considerably enlarged and is an example of the use of both post rock and Cloud County shell rock. This Church continued to serve as the Cathedral for the Diocese until the Diocesan See was transferred to Salina in April of 1945. A high school was opened in 1944 on East 7th Street. In 1962 a new high school, Notre Dame, was completed. It continued in operation until 1968. From 1969 to 1971 this building served as the grade school. The grade school was closed in 1971. The school building on East 5th Street was retained as a parish hall and Religious Education Center.

In 1994, after 121 years of faith sharing, St. Mary's Parish of Jamestown was closed. These parishioners now share their faith and gifts with the Concordia Catholic Community. At present there are approximately 620 families/households. The OLPH Catholic Community also includes students attending Cloud County Community College and residents in five health care centers.

The Church has been extensively remodeled several times over the years. The latest being after Vatican II to update in desing in keeping with the modern liturgy needs. The 100 year-old rectory was replaced in 1992 with a new home located at 420 Kansas. A new parish hall was built and attached to the Church in 1996.

History of Saint Concordia

The life of Saint Concordia is bound up together with the life of Saint Lawrence, who both lived in the third century. During this time period, the Church experienced great persecution at the hands of the cruel Emperor Valerian. Tradition says that St. Lawrence converted and baptized his jailor, Hippolytus as well as Concordia, the elderly lady who had long ago been Hippolytus' childhood nurse. She, too, converted to the Christian faith and suffered for it, being scourged to death with leaden whips. Today, Saint Concordia is recognized as patron saint of nannies and all those who care for young children.