Father Leonard Gicheru

     Early in 1909, the late Bishop John J.  Hogan noticed that there were between 23,556 to 35,000 colored people in the  Kansas City area.  At the time, most Negroes  were poor, maligned, and treated as second class citizens.  They lived in dilapidated shanties in overcrowded communities.  Because of discrimination and segregation, Bishop Hogan believed the church needed to do something for colored Catholics.  He asked Fr. Cyprian Sauer to gather them and raise funds to start a mission.  Bishop Hogan gave $50 of his own money and a list of names to solicit donations.  Most whites believe the project would not get off the ground.  Bernard Corrigan gave the only additional gift of $1,000.  

Ruthe Lange helped Farther Cyprian identify thirty-five fellow Catholic Negros that she knew in the community.  In February of 1910, the community began to gather to celebrate Mass.  The Sisters of St. Joseph who taught at St. John's School in the Negro district on Independence Avenue, offered the use of a school room for services twice a month.  When their pastro heard about the services, he admonished Father Cyprian for desecrating the school.  He called the Negro congregation "brutes who had no soul" and said Father Cyprian should be expelled from the Catholica Church.  The congregation did not return and could not meet for the next two months.  

     Father Cyprian experienced a rough and trying time.  He needed money for a place of worship and a school. He decided to write to Mother Katherine Drexel, who was known for her generosity.  When months passed without hearing from her, Father Cyprian, appealed in prayer to St. Monica of Africa (331-187 A.D.).  St. Monica of Africa was a Black woman, who was known for her long years of prayer for the conversion of her son, Augustine, who became a great Doctor of the Church.  Fr. Cyprian promised to dedicate the mission in her name.  Exactly one week later, he heard from Mother Drexel.  She came to Kansas City, and with Father Cyprian, picked the site of 17th and Lydia for the location of the church and school. She presented him a check for $8,000.00.  In addition to the $8,000, Bishop Hogan donated $50 of his own money and Bernard Corrigan contributed $1000.  With these donations they purchased the land and building for the education of colored children.  Nearby churches contributed items and artifacts necessary for conducting mass.   

On Sunday, October 2, 1910, the mission was formally opened. It was called, “St. Monica Mission for Colored Catholics.” After three years the buildings became too dilapidated for use as a church and school.  The congregation was then allowed to celebrate mass in the Saint Joseph Sanctuary located at 19th and Harrison Ave.   

    The men of the Catholic Club decided to help the St. Monica Mission obtain a new site. They made a pledge and were very prompt in their payments. There were many other benefactors who contributed generously. The pastor, once more appealed to Mother Katherine Drexel, who immediately sent a check for $3,000.  The total cost of the building at that time was $12,676.11.   This generosity made it possible to have a new building free of debt soon after it was built.   The new building was blessed on Sunday, July 2, 1913.  The Solemn Dedication took place on October 26, 1913.   

     The church was on the second floor while the school was on the first floor and basement. The convent was in the back of the building. The Priest occupied another cottage on the property.  In 1940, Bishop O'Hara formally presented the old St. Joseph Church building  located on 19th and Harrison to the St. Monica Mission parishioners.  It was at this time that the name “Saint Monica Mission” was changed to “Saint Joseph Parish”.    

St. Joseph Church had in its sanctuary, two unique statues. They are the life-size statues of two black saints, St. Benedict the Moor and St. Ephygenia of Africa. These statues were imported from Paris by the late Attorney, W.T. Johnson.   He later donated the famous statues to the Mission.   

In 1940, with the aid of Bishop O'Hara, a high school was provided for the Black boys and girls.  It was located on the top floor of the Mission, which was formerly the church.  In 1944, the high school was proud to hold its first graduation. In 1959, Father Alvin Deem. O.F.M. purchased property at 16th and  Paseo Boulevard, which would become the location of the new St. Joseph Church and Rectory. The property was purchased for $50,000. The new buildings were dedicated by Bishop Cody, on Sunday, April 16, 1961.  

The history of Saint Monica is filled with the past of not just one church, but two.   The merger of the Risen Christ and the Saint Joseph Parishes in June 1995 serve as the foundation for today's united parish.  

On October 19, 1995, the two Parishes agreed to merge into a new parish at the Saint Joseph site.  The two Churches officially ceased to exist as separate Parishes when the first mass of the united congregation was held on October 22,  1995.  Approximately 500 people attended the Mass, which was conducted by the new Pastor, Father Philip M. Egan, at the site of the former Church of the Risen Christ.  The united parish was temporarily called the New Community Catholic Church.   Following a six month planning process, the people of the new Parish reached back into history and dedicated the congregation to Saint Monica.  The new Church name would become, "Saint Monica Catholic Church".  

      A Capital Building Fund Campaign was initiated for the construction of a new Sanctuary in September 1998.  The campaign was designed to fund the building of an 11,500 square foot Sanctuary with seating for 750 people.  This new edifice would be attached to the church building (St. Joseph), at 1616 Paseo Boulevard. The Sanctuary of the new Saint Monica Catholic Church was dedicated by Bishop Raymond Boland, on October 21, 2001.  

The Risen Christ Catholic Church and the St. Joseph Catholic Church closed two sets of historical doors and opened a new set of doors to the future! The parishioners share their experiences of God’s work in this Church.