St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church Is A Pretty Place Of Worship In Kansas
By Daniella DiRienzo|Published October 30, 2020
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Daniella DiRienzo
Author
Though Daniella was born in New York and has lived in a couple of other states, Mississippi has been her home for more than 30 years. After graduating from the University of Southern Mississippi, Daniella began to hone her writing skills through various internships. In the years since, she’s had the privilege of having her articles appear in several publications, such as the Mississippi-based Parents & Kids Magazine. She’s also had the honor of interviewing actress Sela Ward for The Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Experience.
We’ve been blessed with some lovely churches here in Kansas. Some are extremely well known and others are a bit more obscure. St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church is definitely in the latter category. Tucked away in the middle of a Kansas prairie, it’s a true hidden gem. And since it’s brimming with incredible beauty and history, it’s one hidden gem worth seeking out! Take a look:
Possibly one of the state’s best kept secrets, St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church is hidden in the Pilsen community, which is in the small town of Marion.
Like many of the large churches in rural Kansas, the building that stands today isn’t the original. It’s actually the third St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church to be constructed on the site. The first St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church was built in 1888. A second, larger building replaced the original in 1894.
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Just as stunning as the exterior, the interior is brimming with opulent features and intricate details, such as the main alter, which is made of hand-carved walnut.
Father Emil J. Kapaun, a longtime Pilsen resident and former pastor of the church, perished in a POW camp during the Korean War. The church’s rectory now houses a museum devoted to Father Kapaun, who is in the process of being declared a saint.
In addition to being open for regular service, St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church is open for tours. Touring the church and museum takes about two hours.
