People interested in the history and architecture of the towering stone Catholic church structures in central Kansas will get two opportunities soon in the History at High Noon and Evening at the Museum lecture series hosted by the Finney County Historical Museum in Garden City.
A presentation has been scheduled twice on March 14, one at noon and again at 7 p.m., each by Father Reginald “Reggie” Urban, a retired priest now living in Hays.
The free sessions usually take place on the second Wednesday and third Tuesday of the month, but the schedule was adjusted to accommodate travel for the speaker.
The museum is located at 403 S. Fourth Street in Garden City’s Finnup Park, and those who attend should use the museum’s north entrance.
Beverages and simple refreshments will be provided, and listeners are welcome to bring their own lunch or dinner, if desired. The series is sponsored for the Finney County Historical Society by the Western Kansas Community Foundation.
Before retiring, the presenter served at churches in Garden City and Great Bend, as well as in Nebraska. Born in Hays, he grew up in the Liebenthal, Loretto and Pfiefer areas, part of a region known for impressive Catholic church buildings that were erected in the late 19th and early 20th Centuries, primarily by Volga German immigrant congregations.
In addition, the area encompasses the communities of Catharine, Schoenchen, Munjor and Victoria, home of St. Fidelis Church, popularly known as the “Cathedral of the Plains.” The area is sometimes referred to as the Post Rock Region or as part of Post Rock Country.
In April, sessions will be conducted at noon April 10 and 7 p.m. April 16 by Caverly Hart, Finnup Foundation Trust executive director, and Any Heinemann, executive assistant, discussing an extensive oral history project initiated by the charitable foundation, with support from the FCHS, involving recorded interviews of various local and area residents. The series also offers two programs per month in September, October, and November.
