In 1863, a mission was established by Father John Schoenmakers, a Jesuit from Osage Mission. German settlers met for Mass in the Riddner and Campbell homes. Sixteen years later a church was erected at Cherokee and Walnut streets by Father Eugene Bononcini who headquartered in Scammon. It was to be called St. Michael’s. In the next two decades this parish was served only by visiting priests. The first resident pastor did not come until 1910. He was Father Thomas Powers and stayed for just one year. There would be no resident pastor again until 1950.

The Silvestrine Congregation of the Benedictine Order was given charge of St. Michael’s by Bishop Hennessy in 1912. The first two Fathers to arrive were Joseph Cipolletti and Philip Bartoccetti. They took care of only the mining camp of Chicopee at first. Later they assumed care of Frontenac of which St. Michael’s was a mission.

An historical note of interest was the flu epidemic of the Fall of 1918 during which no church services were held.

A new brick church was constructed for the exact sum of $8,529.25 in the year 1925 with a seating capacity of 300.

At various times in this parish’s history, it was served by the Passionists, Capuchins and Benedictines. Diocesan priest Father Irvin Lampe was appointed in 1950 followed by Father Louis Struble who purchased the site of the present church. His successor was Father William Wheeler who came in 1963 and revitalized the building project. A new church was completed in 1964 at the current location.

Other pastors who served at St. Michael’s include Fathers Vincent Brown, Patrick Mannion, and Alonzo Smithhisler. Monsignor Lampe returned to Girard in 1983.” (excerpt from The Catholic Diocese of Wichita Centennial, 1987)

Since his second pastorate, the diocesan priests who have served at St. Michael’s are Fathers Brian Egan, Donald Thissen, Lawrence Carney, Roger Lumbre, Max Biltz, Floyd McKinney, Michael Klag, and our current pastor, Daniel Vacca.