St. Martin Church – Piqua, Kansas
Back in early November, Harland and I got away for a day and drove around southeast Kansas. One of the places where we stopped was a lovely old church in the tiny town of Piqua, population 107 at the last census.
Hope the door is unlocked.
It is!
Just inside the front door tacked to a bulletin board is some info about the church and its history:
Let’s look around inside:
Who’s that slipping out on the last supper?
(Answer: Judas)
Very often, the best view is from the balcony:
A collection of old sheet music:
A latin hymn:
Back down the narrow balcony stairs:
A print hanging in the vestibule of the church grounds as they looked in the 1970s. The school and gym at right were closed in 1972 and torn down in 2006.
A last view from the cemetery:
The church was closed as a parish in 1998, but is still lovingly maintained by volunteers and open to the public every day.
For more info about the church click HEREÂ or HERE.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
 xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxxooxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxxo
Beautiful church and what a legacy. So sad when parishes have to shut down but what a blessing the volunteers still clean and care for the church.
I’m so glad that this beautiful old church is being lovingly taken care of! It would be such a sad thing for it to be let go. Thank you, Suzanne, f for sharing this! I really enjoyed seeing it!
So beautiful. It’s wonderful that it’s being cared for, and you certainly captured its essence with care. I took time to visit a small country church over Thanksgiving. It was very small, not at all well lit, and not so fancy, but it was open — one of the little touches that always pleases me when I find it.
I so enjoy your pictures of churches that you all visit. Such beauty in the building and grounds, it’s sad to think they are no longer in regular use. I assume the town has dried up and the people moved away?
Beautiful and sad at the same time. Sad it is no longer in use.
Every year at Thanksgiving we pass the little speck in the road that is Piqua and the church that watches over the town. We have always wanted to stop and visit but the hustle of getting to our destination (Branson, MO.) is always at the forefront.
It is nice to see this church still being maintained and sad that it is of no longer daily use. Imagine the faith of the forefathers that built it, the weddings, baptisms, confirmations etc. ..the Holy days celebrated by hardworking people…makes one stop and ponder the simple beauty of working folks on the prairie.
I attend St.Anthony of Padua in Wichita where the ‘old” Traditional Latin Mass is celebrated. Before the 60s all Catholics celebrated in this way and St. Martins did as well…one can almost hear the chant and smell the incense from the pictures you posted.
Is there a fund to contribute to? I would be glad to give a little of what I have to help you maintain this beautiful old church.
Every year at Thanksgiving we pass the little speck in the road that is Piqua and the church that watches over the town. We have always wanted to stop and visit but the hustle of getting to our destination (Branson, MO.) is always at the forefront.
It is nice to see this church still being maintained and sad that it is of no longer daily use. Imagine the faith of the forefathers that built it, the weddings, baptisms, confirmations etc. ..the Holy days celebrated by hardworking people…makes one stop and ponder the simple beauty of working folks on the prairie.
I attend St.Anthony of Padua in Wichita where the ‘old” Traditional Latin Mass is celebrated. Before the 60s all Catholics celebrated in this way and St. Martins did as well…one can almost hear the chant and smell the incense from the pictures you posted.
Is there a fund to contribute to? I would be glad to give a little of what I have to help those that maintain this beautiful old church.