Parish History: An Illustrated Chronology   TIME LINE: 1951-1975

1951 -- The first basketball game was played in the newly completed Msg. McCullough Memorial Gymnasium.

image below: artists conception of gymnasium

image below: McCullough Gym in Nov. 2000 with Grade School to right and new activity center in background

1952 -- A new convent was occupied at 9th and Locust. The passion play "Calvary Hill" was first performed - the first of five annual presentations.

1953 -- The sanctuary and altars were remodeled and improved. The "College Inn" purchased for the Newman Center at Pittsburg State.

1956 -- 75th Anniversary Jubilee celebration. Homes and lots were purchased for the new high school building.

The diamond jubilee was celebrated on November 18, 1956. The pastor, Rev. Alex G. Stremel assembled a jubilee book - memoirs the first 75 years of Our Lady of Lourdes. Much of the history, in words and pictures, presented in these web pages is from his book.   From Monsignor Stremel's dedication:   The Memoirs of St. Mary's Parish, Pittsburg, Kansas, are dedicated with dutiful attention to our parish patroness, Our Lady of Lourdes, who throughout the seventy-five years has interceded at the throne of her Divine Son, Jesus Christ, who in turn has blessed St. Mary's with many heavenly gifts and graces.   May her gracious and loving eye watch over our parish and help lead the souls of all its members to everlasting bliss and happiness.

1960 -- The newly constructed St. Mary's High School was occupied (now Colgan High School).

1963 -- Father Charles Smith

1967 -- Father Francis J. Baumstark.

1969 -- The 1968-1969 renovation of Our Lady of Lourdes Church was completed.

1970 -- Father Edward J. Steinberger.

both images from SCB 1981, left from mass at bandshell, right candid