BEGINNINGS

The 1880’s were times of great prosperity and growth in the entire State of Kansas; and Frontenac was one of the many “boom towns” which seemed to spring up overnight. Its phenomenal development came about because of the discovery of rich coal deposits in the area. In response to a worldwide call for workers to mine the coal, immigrants of many nationalities arrived in Southeast Kansas and made the population of Frontenac a veritable “League of Nations”.

It is said that when a young American, James Devore, arrived in May, 1886, he found “no houses, no stores, and no people” on the site of the future city of Frontenac. In the summer of 1886, the Cherokee and Pittsburg Coal and Mining Co., a scion of the Santa Fe Railroad, sunk its first mine in the area north of Pittsburg that would become Frontenac. The going rate paid for mined coal by the Santa Fe was 4 cents/bushel. But by December of that same year, The Girard Press reported that the town had 24 new houses, had been named Frontenac and was inhabited by a large number of men who were working Santa Fe Mine No. 1.

The history of the Church in Frontenac closely parallels that of the town, since it always goes to meet the spiritual needs of its people wherever they may be. Thus, before this new settlement was a year old, the first Mass was celebrated in Frontenac, in May, 1887. This historic event took place in the home of Andrew Wachter on South Cherokee Street. The table on which the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass was first offered in Frontenac has been kept by the family as a priceless heirloom. 100 years later, the centennial mass would be offered by Father Robert Wachter, great-grandson of Andrew on the same altar at the same address.

FRONTENAC, A MISSION (1887 to 1895)

After that first Mass, the Eucharistic Liturgy was celebrated two Sundays a month in the Frontenac public school by priests from Our Lady of Lourdes in nearby Pittsburg. In 1891, the recorded population of Frontenac was 609 and plans for Frontenac to have a church of its own were translated into reality by the purchase of a lot of about 100 by 300 feet located at the corner of Cherokee and McKay Streets. The first pastor, Father F. S. Hawelka, who served the mission from Pittsburg, oversaw the construction of the first Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, to which was attached a room intended for a parochial school. The cost of the building, not including the furnishings, was $1,025.60. The church was neatly finished inside and out, and was conveniently located.

The church was dedicated February 14, 1892. The day of the dedication was cold and stormy, preventing the large crowd of 1,000 to 2,000 in number, that had been anticipated from Pittsburg, Girard, Chicopee, Litchfield and other neighboring towns from attending. However, according to the “Pittsburg Daily Headlight” for February 14, 1892, the rather small church was crowded with nearly 800 people anxious to witness the ceremonies. The ceremonies were commenced with a welcome address from the door of the church by 26 little girls dressed in white. The Irish ancient Order of Hiberinans from Pittsburg, Cherokee, Weir, and Frontenac and the Catholic Knights were in full uniform. Music was provided by the choir of the Pittsburg Catholic Church. Father Hawelka conducted the dedication services in German. Afterwards, a “sumptuous” dinner was served in the hall by the ladies of Frontenac, the proceeds being given to assist the newly established church. These same ladies had been busy several days previously decorating the church and the Pittsburg Daily Headlight stated the beautiful decorations showed how well their time had been employed.

In the evening, Fr. F. M. Verdan of Greensburg, Ks. held vespers and delivered an interesting address in English.

The first baptisms were recorded on this same date, they were John Costello, John Genser, Michael Moser, and Adeline LaForte.

The first marriage recorded was of Charles Friskel, 26 years old to Elizabeth Tsachachler, 18 years old, March, 1892. The first funeral recorded was of 3 ˝ month old infant, Maria Knoll.

Father Hawelka remained pastor until March, 1894. The second pastor attending the Frontenac Catholic community from Pittsburg was Doctor Joseph A. Pompeney who served the mission from March 25, 1894, to September 1, 1895. (Father Pompeney was called doctor as he had a Ph.D.). Dr. Pompeney obtained two and-a-half acres of land from the Santa Fe Railroad in the east part of Frontenac, which he had plotted for a Catholic cemetery. He also laid the groundwork for the Sacred Heart parochial school, which opened on September 10, 1895. The sisters of St. Joseph began their educational ministry with 60 pupils enrolled. The first Sister faculty included Sister Coletta Kipp and Sister Lawrence Meagher.

RESIDENT PASTORS (1895-1912)

Shortly after this first term began, Sacred Heart came into its own as a parish and got its first resident pastor, Father Anthony P. Podgorsek, who arrived September 29, 1895, and served until May 22, 1898. School records show that on October 18, 1895, $40.00 was paid from tuition money to Sister Leo for teacher’s salary during the first month of the schools operation.

Father Podgorsek, who lived in a rented house, seems to have taken a lively interest in the school. He built an additional three rooms to the school, still under the same roof as the church and told a later pastor, Capuchin Father Ildephonse Roeckl, that he sacrificed $600.00 of his own salary to help clear the cost of the new facilities. School records show money was collected during January and February, 1896 for the school building. These same records, preserved in the archives of the Sisters of St. Joseph, show that a benefit fair held In April 1896, netted $487.58. Then in September, $1,244.84 was paid for the school building and $100.00 went to the K.C. Furniture Co., on account, for 70 new school desks.

During this time, July 1, 1897, a major event occurred affecting the parish and other parishes in the southeast corner of Kansas. Pope Leo XIII re-divided the old Leavenworth Diocese adding 14 counties to the Wichita Diocese. Thus, Sacred Heart Parish became a part of that diocese and came under the Jurisdiction of Bishop John J. Hennessy.

Our second resident pastor, Father George W. Freve, came to Sacred Heart parish on May 29, 1898 and served into the first decade of the new century.

The first decade would prove to be a dramatic one for Frontenac and the surrounding community with the population explosion due to more coal mines being sank in the area. Immigrants came from the European countries to begin a new life, free of the suppressions of the Old World but found the new world quite primitive. It took hard work and frugality to survive -- not everyone was able to adapt -- but those that stayed paved the future. It was a time of hopes and dreams, struggle and survival.

In 1900, Father Freve built the first rectory at a cost of $1,000.00. In 1901, he began the construction of a second and larger church. This church would be 30 ft. by 90 ft. in size and would be built directly west of the original church, approximately where the present church sits. (This church was destroyed by fire 3/30/40). The corner stone of this new church was laid by Bishop John J. Hennessy on October 25, 1901. The first couple recorded in the parish records to be married in the unfinished church was Victor Massini to Zelinda Guerreri.

According to the Pittsburg Beacon of June 28, 1903, thousands witnessed the blessing of the new Catholic Church at Frontenac. The newspaper stated, “a large proportion of the population is Catholic.” The people had prepared for the occasion by decorating the old and the new church and the parsonage with vines and flowers. From the steeple of the new church flew a big white banner with a cross of red. Over the doorway hung the Pope’s flag of white and yellow and the American flag.

With cannons firing salutes and the banners of the societies flying, with the Chicopee and Frontenac bands playing, the church chimes ringing and the presence of thousands of people, the bishop who was to bless the new church, was welcomed to Frontenac. They marched in procession to the edge of town and met the carriages containing Bishop Hennessey and Father Schultz, to escort them into town and to the church for the dedication.

It is of interest to us that In 1901, Bishop Hennessy also visited Pittsburg regarding the erection of a new hospital, for which Charles Devlin, president of the Mt. Carmel Coal Co. had donated land. The hospital would become Mt. Carmel Hospital, built and operated by the sisters of St. Joseph, Wichita to care for the miners and their families of Pittsburg, Frontenac, Chicopee and the surrounding areas.

Also of note that year, was the publishing of the first issue of The Catholic Advance - April 1901.

To demonstrate the growing population of the Catholic miners, it is recorded in St. Barbara’s parish history of Chicopee that on August 15, 1901 the feast of the Assumption, the Chicopee and Frontenac mines were closed because of the large percentage of Catholic miners; and that on December 4, the feast of St. Barbara in honor of their (the miners) patroness and protectress, the Catholic Miners of Frontenac and Chicopee did not work that day and the mines were closed.

Father George W. Freve served Sacred Heart Parish until July 13, 1902. Need for additional funding (and lack of cooperation) forced Fr. Freve to leave the completion of the church to his successor, Fr. Joseph A. Schuetz, who served the parish from July 27, 1902 to December 6, 1903. Bishop Hennessy dedicated the new church on June 28, 1903 and Fr. Schuetz was able to pay in full its cost amounting to $3,073.21. Then the old church was remodeled for use as the Sacred Heart School.

That year 1903, July 20, the beloved Pope Leo XIII died in Rome, he was considered the first of the modern Popes and had struggled to address the pressing problems of his changing world. On August 3rd, Guiseppo Sarto was elected taking the name of Pius X, he had a special love for the Eucharist and lowered the age at which First Communion could be received. He would be canonized in 1954.

Shortly before Christmas, December 13, 1903, Father Bernard Schroeder began a short seven-month stint as pastor of Sacred Heart. When he left the parish on July 3. 1904, he was succeeded by Doctor Joseph A. Pompeney, who had ministered to the Frontenac Catholic community as a mission from Pittsburg in 1894 and 1895.

When Doctor Pompeney arrived from Hutchinson on July 10, 1904, He began a tenure characterized by prosperity but also by labor strife and a decline in faith. Despite the negative factors, he was able to accomplish a great deal before he left the parish on September 12, 1912. In 1904 he installed a new furnace and new pews in the church. Christmas, 1904, was brightened by a new nativity scene. In the same year, the school building was repaired and 50 single desks were purchased.

In 1905, Bishop Hennessy appointed Father Francesco Lombardt of Mileto, Italy, to work with the Italians in Frontenac as assistant to Fr. Pompeney. In 1906, Father Pompeney enlarged the school grounds, repaired the large school room and added another two and a half acres to the Catholic cemetery. Around 1908, the mining company refused to continue collecting church dues from its employees and according to Father Pompeney, “crippled our finances these last years.” In 1910, despite financial difficulties, he succeeded in buying a convent for the Sisters at a cost of $2,000.00.

Socialist propaganda was at its height at this time in the area. There was a widely held sentiment of anti-Clericalism among many of the immigrants. Carrying grudges of church taxation, that had added to their poverty in their homelands, they were often suspect of the Church and priests In general.

The saloons and the alcohol would inevitably lead to violence and it was not uncommon for tempers to flare, ending in fights, knifings and shootings, regardless of the ethnic background. The newspapers of this decade and recollections in the memories of some of us and revealed to us by many gone before us, tell us of many unsolved murders in Frontenac and the surrounding mining towns. The law seemed helpless and received no cooperation.

Despite the troubled times, there were times of levity. Dances were held for “all” occasions, Baptisms, weddings; a keg of beer was purchased and an accordion player obtained. The Sacred Heart Parish Altar Society was very active from its beginnings. The women held ice cream socials and bazaars lasting several days that greatly supplemented church finances.

There also were the many events of the fraternal lodges of the various ethnic groups.

As memories have been related to us, people made their own fun in those days of severely hard times; they visited each others homes often, sharing frustrations and Joys. Their mode of travel was either by walking or horse and buggy. The young people on New Year’s Day would go “First Footing “, that is according to the late Ann P. Yartz of Sacred Heart Parish, you’d go house to house wishing the members of the household, a Happy, Blessed, Prosperous New Year, and of course, receive refreshments, “ and probably someone from that home would join the group to continue “First Footing.”

And let us not forget the many football and baseball games played, which the community took great pride and enjoyed. In 1988 it’s recorded the Frontenac Thistles football team played against young men from the Chicopee, Weir team.

Sundays were a very important part in the lives of the community. Everyone dressed in their finest to attend Mass, followed by visits, socials on the church grounds, etc.

SYLVESTRINE BENEDICTINE PASTORS (1912-1929)

In June of 1910, Bishop Hennessy approached Abbot General Hugo Palikir, superior general of the Sylvestrine Benedictine in Rome, and requested that he send two missionaries to minister to the Italians in the Diocese of Wichita. He also planned for them to establish a secondary and a primary school. Remarking about his visit with the Bishop, Abbot Hugo said, He tells me that the climate is one of the best in the United States.

Two young priests, Father Philip (Filippo) Bartoccetti and Father Joseph (Guisseppe) Cipolletti, desirous of undertaking foreign missionary work, volunteered to accept the invitation and arrived in Wichita in the fall of 1910.

After two years in St. Barbara’s parish, Chicopee, they were assigned to Sacred Heart in Frontenac, where they and other Sylvestrine Benedictine served from September 15, 1912 to May 26, 1929.

They would serve us during World War I when many of our men from the parish and community would fight for their country, several not returning. We should all be kind in our thoughts and prayers of all the men and women who served in the Armed Forces during this century and especially those who gave the ultimate price, their life. They would be here with us as the major mines began playing out and two other forms of coal mining developed that partially compensated. The first was the gin shaft of “dinky” mines, privately owned, employed from a few to rather large numbers of miners. The other form of mining was strip mining. With this method, the earth and rock were removed exposing the vein of coal. Thus, eventually came the steam shovel still visible at times in the area. To this day, many of these “dumps” and “strip pits” still exist and became swimming, fishing, and hunting areas. Today, we are trying to redevelop the environment and pushing the dumped land back into the pits but leaving the main recreational ones.

And in 1918 when the influenza epidemic broke out and killed many in our parish and surrounding parishes, they would be here to minister to the sick and dying, to console and pray with the bereaved.

With Father Joseph as pastor and superior, he and Father Phillip were joined in their labors at various times by Sylvestrine Fathers Raphael Pieragostini, Boniface Lucci and Alberic Maggiori.

The task presented them was monumental. Not only were they to minister to the people of Frontenac, where they resided, but they were also responsible for the spiritual care of Italians in surrounding missions or mission stations, which numbered at times as many as 15. Different lists of these places exists and not always agree. One which could be considered authentic was submitted to the U. S. Census Bureau by the Sylvestrines in 1926.

On this report was Sacred Heart, Frontenac, with six missions at Holy Family, Cherokee; St. Michael’s, Girard; St. Francis, Arcadia; St. Alice, Capaldo; St. Gabriel, Mulberry; and Sacred Heart, Ringo. Nine mission stations listed as having no church but with a hall were Arma, Breezy Hill, Croweburg, Curranville, Cockerill, Gross, McCormick, Radley, and Yale. In all they ministered in 1926 to 5,186 souls of whom 1,900 were members of Sacred Heart in Frontenac and 294 belonged to St. Alice in Capaldo.

In 1920, the Sylvestrines remodeled the school building at a cost of $5,542.26. Teachers that year were Sisters Xavier Doherty, Angelita Howe, Luke Vohs, Dolores Clarahan and Justin Coomes. In 1922, the Sylvestrines added another two and a half acres to the Catholic cemetery, which then totaled seven and a half acres in size. In 1924, the convent was reshingled, the exterior painted, interior repapered and connected to the sewer line. The rectory was also renovated.

In 1928, Arma was added as a mission of Frontenac. When St. Joseph’s Church in Arma was dedicated by Bishop August J. Schwertner on April 18, 1928, it became the seventh church which had been built by the Frontenac-based Sylvestrine Benedictine.

Also in 1928, Leo Cornella, who was born in Pittsburg and reared in Frontenac, became the first American to enter the Sylvestrines. In 1959, he was elected Abbot General of the Order. After attending the Second Vatican Council, he returned to the States in 1966 and served in Detroit. Abbot Cornella celebrated his Golden Jubilee June 23, 1985 in his home parish in Frontenac. His brother, Father Cornelius (Egidio) also a Sylvestrine Benedictine, concelebrated with him and preached in both English and Italian.

Another Frontenac born native, Phillip Friskel (named for Fr. Phillip Bertoccetti) also became a Sylvestrine Brother. After entering in 1941, he became known as Brother Joseph and also served in the Detroit area. He died in Michigan on July 17, 1984.

On October 24, 1929, Black Thursday occurred on Wall Street. The disintegration of the stock market would bring about the deepest economic depression in the memory of this country. It took some time for the effects to be felt here - but it did hit, and before long, banks here were declared insolvent. Many lost their savings and foreclosures were declared on debtors. Here, with the addition of a decline in the coal industry, this economic reversal only added to the poverty of the area. Those with debt free farms fared better, but times were difficult. The people of this area were used to hard times, they would survive, and the church played a big part in keeping with their needs - ministering throughout the missions’ area and Frontenac with Sacred Heart Church. Frontenac’s population was 2854 in 1929.

CAPUCHINI PASTORS (1929-1939)

After the Sylvestrine Benedictine left Frontenac on May 26, 1929, the summer pro tem pastors were the Passionist Fathers from St. Paul and Msgr. Alex G. Stremel. On July 23, 1929, the Capuchin Fathers of the Pennsylvania province assumed spiritual charge of Sacred Heart Parish, Frontenac and of the missions attached to it: namely, Arma, Arcadia, Capaldo, Cherokee, Girard, and Mulberry. In addition to the missionary work, the Fathers visited the sick and spiritually needy in the following localities: Beulah, Cockerill, Cornell, Curranville, Dunkirk, Foxtown, Fuller, Jacksville, Litchfield, McCormick, Midway, Yale, and in Missouri: Burgess and Minden.

Assigned to assume this challenging ministry was Father Julius Becker, O.F.M. Cap., superior and pastor from 1929 to 1939. Father Vergil Kuhn, O.F.M. Cap., was given charge of Capaldo, Cherokee and Girard from 1929 to 1931; and Father Damian Reick, O.F.M. Cap., who ministered in Arcadia, Arma, and Mulberry from 1929 to 1931. All of the Capuchins resided in Frontenac in community. Shortly after his arrival, Fr. Julius Becker had the Sacred Heart Church and school both repainted, and a four-car garage completed. In 1929, the school enrollment was 108 and was taught by four Sisters of St. Joseph from Wichita.

From April 6 to 12, 1930, Capuchin Father Gilbert Sticklemaier presented a mission in Frontenac. Bishop Schwertner visited the parish on April 26, 1930. From July 9 to 27, 1930, a vacation school was held for 38 children. The 1930-31 school enrollment was 135.

During 1932, the school was redecorated, a porch was constructed for the rectory. The 1932-1933 school enrollment was 117. Vacation school began on May 31. School enrollment for 1933-1934 was 116.

Events of 1934 included a mission, which began on February 25 and which was preached by Father George Karlin, O.F.M. Cap. The Confraternity of Christian Doctrine was organized in the parish on November 18.

In May, 1935, 108 parishioners were confirmed. From June 9 to 30, 1935, vacation schools were held in Frontenac, Franklin, and Capaldo. During July, Capuchin Father Timothy Gotschalk painted all the statues in Sacred Heart Church. On August 21, 1935, the parish hosted a celebration in honor of the solemn anniversary of Father Jeremiah A. Leneham, who had served in Chicopee in 1903 and at Mt. Carmel Hospital, Pittsburg, in 1931.

In November, 1936, a new roof was put on the school because of damage caused by high winds; a new furnace was installed in the church.

In 1937, the Capuchins expanded their services to the area by offering citizenship classes. They also provided spiritual services for 190 Civilian Conservation Corps members at Farlington.

CAPUCHINI PASTORS (1939-1949)

The second Capuchin pastor of Sacred Heart Parish was Father Ildephonse Roeckl, who served from July, 1939, until July, 1947. Since Bishop Schwertner had died on September 9, 1939, Benedictine Abbot Martin Veth administered confirmation to 126 parishioners on October 16. In that same year a defective flue caused a fire that damaged the rectory roof. The repair costs were covered by insurance.

On March 30, 1940, a driving wind caused a spark from the burning rubbish of the neighbor to start the church roof on fire. Because of the extensive damage, the Church Committee agreed to abandon the fire-damaged church. Father Ildephonse and the parishioners began to plan for a new church immediately. A combination church and school was designed, and the old school was dismantled.

E.J. Bauer of Parsons began the construction work for the new church on June 28. The cornerstone was officially placed and blessed by Bishop Christian H. Winkelmann on September 17. The new church was built of brick and tile at a cost of approximately $21,000-00; however, this does not include about $3,000 worth of labor donated by the parishioners and according to the Frontenac Press on April 18, 1941, the building has left a debt of only $4,000. The cost of the building included the low pressure steam heater unit and the new flourescent light fixtures, the only church in Kansas with the new type of lighting.

The new church was ready for Christmas services on December 25, 1940, and was solemnly dedicated by Bishop Winkelmann on April 19, 1941. The dedication sermon was given by the very Reverend Philip Bartoccetti of Detroit, Michigan--former pastor of Sacred Heart Church. The first wedding in this church took place on April 26, 1941 when Adolph Bartelli and Juliana Fiorucci were married.

The Church, which occupied the upper floor of the building, was semi-Gothic and could accommodate 250 persons in its dimensions of 90 feet long and 40 feet wide with a spacious choir loft and sanctuary. On the ground floor were hall facilities for parish functions and two school rooms where 65 children were taught In 1941. In 1942, the altars, the communion rail, and seven statues were redecorated. There were 154 Catholic families in the Sacred Heart Parish.

A joyous parish event on May 31, 1942, was the First Mass celebration of Capuchin Father Lionel Ashbacher, a native son. On May 16, 1943, native son Father Noel Troyan, O.F.M. Cap., celebrated his First Mass. Father Ildephonse celebrated his Silver Jubilee of Ordination on September, 1943.

Bishop Winkelmann confirmed a class of 67 on April 9, 1946. An outside brick chimney was added to the convent, and the wood work on the church exterior was painted during July. From September 22 to 29, 1946, a mission was given by Capuchin Father Edward Stoehr.

On July 28, 1947, Father Agatho Brisgal became the third Capuchin pastor of Sacred Heart. During 1947, the convent was renovated. A new Wurlitzer organ was installed in the church in 1948, and the convent, rectory and church were repaired and redecorated. In 1949, kneeling pads were added in the church, a third classroom was provided, and confirmation took place in November.

BACK TO THE BEGINNING (1950-1960)

In August, 1950, diocesan priests again took charge of Sacred Heart parish when the Capuchins of St. Augustine Province withdrew from Southeast Kansas. After a lapse of 38 years, the first diocesan priest to be assigned to Frontenac was Father Philip White, who was also to serve Franklin as a mission.

Father White, who served as a pastor from 1950 to 1964, celebrated a Solemn Mass of Requiem July 28, 1953, for Father Philip Bartoccetti, who died in Detroit July 17. He was pastor of Our Lady of Help Parish in Detroit at the time of his death. Father Joseph Cipolletti, S.O.S.B., had preceded him in death.

Two major projects were completed during Father White’s tenure as pastor. In 1956, construction began on a new four room school, a one-story red brick structure. Because of the growth of the parish to 225 families and with 104 children expected for the next school year, building seemed necessary. Except for the laying of the brick, the parishioners and Father White did the labor and kept the cost down to $35,000. Even the architectural drawings were done by a parishioner, Michael DeCastro.

The building was ready for use in September, 1957, and 100 students were enrolled.

Father White’s second big project was a new rectory in November, 1959. Again parishioners drew the plans and contributed their services. As a result of the donated labor, the building cost was held at $30,000.

The new rectory was blessed Oct. 2, 1960, by Bishop Mark K. Carroll, who also administered the Sacrament of Confirmation during his visit to the parish.

BACK TO THE BEGINNING (1960 to Present)

Fr. Philip White was followed by another Father White, who was appointed June 9, 1964. Father John White had served as an army chaplain since July 11, 1942. He was named a Monsignor and served in Frontenac until June 30, 1976, when he retired.

The closing of the 1967-68 school year marked the end of the 63 years of service to Sacred Heart parish by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Wichita. This decision was reached because of declining membership in the religious community and the decreasing enrollment in Sacred Heart School. Religious instructions would be an hour each week from here until the present and taught by lay people. The parish felt the loss of the school but would see their children receive religious education. Betty Papish Kunshek and Mona Wachter, along with other parish volunteers took on the task of the religious education. Betty and Mona continue to teach and supervise the classes; about to begin their 25th year.

In June, 1969, the parish was visited by Sister Marie Celine Eichorn, a native daughter of the parish, who joined the Franciscans of Millval, Pa. At the time of her visit, she was working with the Wichita mission in Barquisimeto, Venezuela. She is the daughter of the late Fred and Barbara Eichorn.

During the same month of June, the front doors and ceiling of Sacred Heart Church were extensively damaged by a tornado.

July 1, 1976, Msgr. John White goes on sick leave and Father Edward Steinburger of Our Lady of Lourdes, Pittsburg serves our parish until a new pastor is appointed. On November 18, 1976, Msgr. Vincent Hogan assumed the duties as pastor of Sacred Heart Parish.

Msgr. Hogan held his first parish council meeting on January 5, 1977. There were six members on the council. The council voted to meet every other month on the first Wednesday.

The Altar Society was reorganized on January 19, 1977. Fourteen women attended and officers were elected. The Altar Society sponsored an all parish dinner in February; the first in many years. They raised $112.00 for Birthright.

The year 1977 had 16 children make their First Communion and 23 were confirmed. CYO became active in the parish. A special mass honoring the seniors was held with a reception following.

During 1977, through donations, the church received a new baptismal font and a small traveling statue of Our Lady of Fatima was presented to the parish.

Frontenac CYO won first place in the regional basketball and volleyball tournaments held at Colgan High School in 1978. The basketball team placed third in the tournament held in Wichita.

Thirteen children made their First Communion in April,1978.

New flourescent lighting was installed in the church, a new statue of Our Lady of Lourdes was donated for the Grotto; also a new holy water font was donated.

Renovation of the church steps and sidewalk in front was done along with the work done on the church basement. The parish council voted to buy new pews.

The Frontenac High School graduates were honored with a special mass and reception; there were 10 seniors. A parish dinner in observance of the Feast of the Sacred Heart was held.

Extensive work was done in the cemetery. As far as the interior of the church, the following renovations were done: new pews installed, floor refinished, ceiling insulated, and an attic fan installed. All this work was done in 1979.

In December 1979, bell ringing equipment was donated by 11 families of the parish.

The year of 1980 was a rather quiet year, as only bids were received for construction of a ramp for the church, but was not installed.

In 1981, bids were taken for a Parish Hall on June 30. On July 23, the contract for a new parish hall was signed by Bishop Maloney and ground breaking ceremonies were held July 26 after the 10:30 a.m. mass. Tri-State Construction Co. started building the hall on August 4. Their bid for the parish hall was $99,873.00.

Saturday, December 5, was the first use of the hall. Masses were held there on the 5th and 6th, due to the furnace being broken in the church.

A new yard sign was installed to the east of the church. This was constructed in November, 1981, as a memorial.

In August, 1982, asphalt was laid behind the church and across from the rectory. New steps were constructed on the east side of the church.

Msgr. John White, former pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, died on November 3, 1982, in Long Beach, New York.

Sister Marie Celine (OSF) celebrated her Golden Jubilee with a mass and reception at Sacred Heart Parish in June, 1983.

Bishop Gerber honored Sacred Heart and Saint Alice with a visit. Msgr. Hogan made the final payment on the Parish Hall in December, 1983.

October, 1984, the parish council presented the parishioners with ideas of remodeling the church. The proposed remodeling was to cost around $65,000. Results of the voting were: (1) build a new church: yes-36 no-89, (2) separate the table portion of the main altar, bringing it forward facing the people and leaving the rest intact: yes-73 no-49, (3) moving the tabernacle to a side altar: yes-66 no-56, (4) approve all new carpet in church: yes-66 no-57.

Renovation of the church began in August, 1985, with Jones Brothers Contractors of Joplin, Missouri, doing the work. The contract price was $54,386.00.

Interior work was contracted by Clyde R. Phillips Studio, Sedalia, Missouri, at the cost of $13,800.00.

Sacred Heart hosted two Golden Anniversaries in June, 1985, with a mass and reception for Sister Mercedes McNeil of Sisters of St. Agnes order, also Abbot Leo Cornella, S.O.S.B.

Msgr. Hogan introduced United Catholic Stewardship for the first time in September, 1985. The Stewardship was introduced in the diocese.

Several parishioners attended the People Gathered Program in Wichita.

In January, 1986, Sacred Heart and St. Alice parishes held a meeting for a People Gathered Program to set overall goals for the next five to six years. The representatives decided to reach out to inactive Catholics, establish a Pre-School Nursery Program and various committees.

A joint newsletter was composed by both parishes and sent out monthly. The letter was sent to 408 homes. Twelve children received First Communion in 1986. Sacred Heart entered a float in the Centennial parade. Sister Annunicata Paulich celebrated her 60th anniversary with a mass and reception.

The interior of the church was completed in 1986 and in 1987 the church windows were renovated. S & S Stained Glass of Pittsburg did the work for $12,500.00. Msgr. Hogan formed a handicapped committee. Bishop Gerber approved the installation of an elevator in the church and a bathroom accessible to the handicapped. The remodeling of the church to install the elevator and bathroom was extensive work and would cost $65,000.00. An architect was employed and plans were completed. However, Msgr. Hogan was transferred to St. Francis Parish in St. Paul, Kansas, before construction could begin.

Father James O’Shea became pastor of Sacred Heart and St. Alice parishes from July, 1987, to September, 1991. During his years here, he completed the installation of the elevator, bathroom and cry room, added the Perpetual Adoration Chapel which reunited Frontenac and surrounding parishes which have figured largely in its history. On March 17, 1991, the chapel was dedicated during a rosary and benediction service. Over its 100 years plus of existence, Frontenac has served as a center for Catholic life in Crawford County and this tradition continues. Adorers come from Pittsburg, Arma, Capaldo, Cherokee, Chicopee, Mulberry, St. Paul, Farlington, and other surrounding areas to fulfill their weekly commitments to spend an hour with their Eucharistic Lord. Father O’Shea also did other various face lifts to the interior of the church.

August 3 and 4, 1991, Sacred Heart Church celebrated its 100th anniversary - (the parish itself is now 105 years old.) The festivities began with a mass on the porch at 103 S. Cherokee, where the first mass in Frontenac had been celebrated. The outdoor mass was celebrated by Rev. Robert Wachter followed by a breakfast in the parish hall served by the parish ladies. On Sunday, August 4, a second anniversary mass was concelebrated at 5:00 p.m. by Bishop Eugene Gerber, Father Leo Metcko, and Father James O’Shea followed by a banquet and dance at the Tower Ballroom. The Bishop delivered the homily.

Father Leo Metcko retired as Chaplain of Mt. Carmel Medical Center and is presently living at Sacred Heart helping out with the daily and Sunday masses.

In September, 1991, Father Donald R. Thissen was sent to the Sacred Heart Parish. He would also serve St. Alice, Capaldo as a mission and would help with Pastoral Care for Mt. Carmel Medical Center. Father O’Shea left to serve the penitentiary at El Dorado, Kansas.

Father Thissen has evaluated the needs of our Mt. Carmel cemetery and appointed two cemetery committees. Through a donation has acquired an additional two and one-third acres of land that will be plotted for grave spaces. A Mt. Carmel cemetery sign has been donated and installed centrally in the cemetery. Mass is to be celebrated each Memorial Day at the cemetery. The biggest and main problem seems to be the water drainage. Through the efforts of Radell Construction, Father Thissen hopes in time to remedy this problem. The Knights of Columbus are raising the head stones, Individual Mausoleum of Parsons will assist.

New air condition units have been installed in the church and the rectory. Landscaping around the parish house and church has been started. The ladies of the parish, in conjunction with the Sacred Heart Altar Society, serve the funeral dinners and keep the church clean, working as a unit. Sacred Heart continues to flourish as a parish, pulling together as needs arise as we have done for 100 plus years. May the Sacred Heart of Jesus bless us and help us to continue to grow--as one Body In The Spirit.