Parish History: An Illustrated Chronology   TIME LINE: 1876-1900

1881 -- Father Eugenio Bononcini from Scammon, Kansas, said the first Mass in Pittsburg proper at the Patrick O'Connor home located on the corner of Sixth and Locust. He continued to visit Pittsburg and said Mass whenever he came to the city.

Fr. Bononcini, undated photo, from Jubilee Book

1882 -- October of this year Father Bonancini purchased a lot on East Ninth Street and built the first church edifice.

photograph from 1900, wood frame church with rectory attached, from Jubilee Book

1884 -- Father Robert Loehrer was appointed the first resident pastor of Pittsburg, Kansas. He added two rooms to the church building, one on the east side to serve as the rectory and the one on the west as a future parochial school.

Fr. Loehrer, undated photo, from Jubilee Book

the wood frame church with Fr. Loeher's two wings, undated photo, from Jubilee Book

1885 -- Father Sigismund Wozing was appointed pastor August 30 of this year and he started the first school with Miss Amy Lee Hughes as teacher.

1886 -- Father Eugenio Bononcini was appointed pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Pittsburg, Kansas for a short time and was succeeded by Father Francis J. Zvacek who buried the 19 victims of the mine explosion in Mine No. 2 of the Pittsburg-Cherokee Mining Co.

1887 -- The Diocese of Leavenworth was divided and the new Dioceses of Wichita and Concordia were erected by the Holy See.

1890 -- Father Joseph Gaydousek was pastor of St. Mary's for a short time and was followed by Father Bononcini who again returned to St. Mary's that same year.

Fr. Gaydousek, undated photo, from Jubilee Book

1891 -- Father F. S. Hawelka who had built the first church in Frontenac became pastor of St. Mary's and remained until 1893.

Fr. Hawelka, undated photo, from Jubilee Book

1893 -- Dr. J. A. Pompeney was made pastor and remained until 1897. Dr. Pompeney succeeded in getting the services of Sister M. Leo and Sister deSales of the St. Joseph Congregation, Wichita, Kansas, to teach the parochial school.

Fr. Pompeney, undated photo, from Jubilee Book

1897 -- Father E. M. Coolen became pastor of St. Mary's and was instructed by Bishop Hennessy in 1901 to build a new church. Father Coolen, due to circumstances, never made the start on the new church.