Records show that St. Philip Neri parish in Franklin had its beginning in 1915. Father John Wojciechowski was named the first pastor, to be succeeded by Father Joseph Cipolletti, SOSB, a year later. The first church building was completed by the Silvestrine Benedictines in 1916, only to be destroyed by fire three years later. Father Joseph Pompeney was named the third pastor and he saw to the rebuilding of the church in the fall of 1919, only to see it reduced to ashes once again in January of 1920. Undaunted, the parishioners were determined to have a house of worship once again. A large hall was purchased and moved to Franklin and remodeled into a church, then dedicated by Bishop Schwertner on October 17, 1921. It was to see many improvements in the coming years.

Two Capuchin Fathers staffed the parish from 1934 to 1950. In the meantime, the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary from Mt. Carmel Academy in Wichita conducted summer vacation schools at the local public school in the town.

In 1946, the church was moved to a new location near Highway 69. In the fall of that year, a parish mission was held, given by the Capuchin Fathers from Pittsburgh, PA. These priests heard confessions for Slovenians, many of whom were present.

During the summer of 1951, the old rectory from Our Lady of Lourdes in Pittsburg was dismantled and rebuilt at the Franklin Parish site. It was blessed in time for the installation of Father Vincent Brown as the new pastor of the parish. (excerpt from The Catholic Diocese of Wichita Centennial, 1987)

Recent pastors who have served St. Philip Neri include Fathers Francis Heyer, Joseph Donohoe, Michael O’Malley, Robert Watson, Marino Caldarelli, Neil Diver, Justin Betzen, Edward Steinberger and Charles Middleton. The church closed in 1987. Sacramental records are kept in the Parish Office at St. Michael’s in Girard.