1890

Bishop Hennessy purchased property on the southeast corner of Central and Broadway with the intention of erecting a suitable Cathedral for the Wichita Diocese.

Palm Sunday of 1906

Ground was broken, and the cornerstone was laid October of that same year.

September 19, 1912

Cardinal James Gibbons, Archbishop of Baltimore with more than 30 bishops, dedicated the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The celebration marked the 25th Jubilee of the Diocese of Wichita, and the entire city participated in the events with a public reception and a parade of 5,000 Catholics on foot, horseback, floats, and in automobiles.

1920

The Cathedral School, built for $100,000 on the corner of Central and Topeka, was blessed.

1922

The gymnasium and community rooms were added.

1923

A new chancery and rectory building at 307 East Central were erected.

1927

The stained glass windows were added to the church.

1957

The St. Pius X Room was constructed with its adjoining kitchen facilities in rooms that had previously been used as high school rooms.

1966

The high school was closed following the establishment of Madonna High School and Notre Dame (now Bishop Carroll High School) on the west side of town and Kapaun and Mt. Carmel High Schools on the east.

1973

The grade school facilities were closed.

1976 and 1977

Parishioners meet in the gymnasium for Mass during renovations of the church.

1983

The St. Pius X Room was enlarged; the rectory redecorated, and another renovation of the church included shortening the sanctuary to bring the altar closer to the assembly; installing marble floors and a new baptistery area.

1995

The maintenance of facilities continued with parking lot upgrades, utility upkeep and garden area created for the south entrance into the church and rectory.

1997

On the first Sunday of Advent, Bishop Gerber blessed the new bronze entrance doors that replaced the old wooden doors. These beautiful bronze doors depict the “heroes” of our Kansas church. The bronze handles are doves, symbolizing the Holy Spirit. Further improvements included the renovation of the second floor of the community building (housing the gym and Pius X/Marion rooms) with installation of an elevator, movable walls for multipurpose use, a nursery, and carpeting throughout. High on the outside wall a bronze crucifix (a gift from Bishop Gerber) was installed.

2008

The Diocese had a physical and operational assessment conducted of each building on our Cathedral Campus. The outcome of that assessment showed significant repair and renovations were needed to address safety, accessibility and efficiency concerns. Find out more about the renovation plans.