VGI Updates

St. Stephan's German Reformed Church was the home of many Volga German families that settled in Newark.  St. Stephen's Church is an Ironbound landmark. Built in 1874 for a German-speaking congregation, which it remained until the 1930s, the church is still Lutheran but uses Spanish and Portuguese in its services. The architect was George Staehlin and the interior has some of the most ornate woodwork in Newark.

This congregation is now called St. Stephan's Grace Community Church, affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).

Sacred Heart Catholic Church was founded by members of the Liebenthal parish.  The church property consisted of five acres donated by Adam Jacobs. Sacred Heart Church was completed on 1 October 1921, and the first service was held there on 15 October 1921. The new edifice was dedicated by Rt. Rev. Aug. J. Schwertner, Bishop of Wichita, on 15 November 1921. A rectory was built in 1922.

Trinity Lutheran Church was located 9 miles south of Russell.

Location:

107 N. Vermont Ave.
PO Box 96
Ransom, KS 67572-0096
785.731.2497

On 18 July 1950, sixteen Charter members signed the constitution at the organizational meeting of Our Redeemer. Their present building is a renovated school building which was moved to its present location and dedicated in 1951.

Location:

510 E. Cedar St.
Ness CIty, NE 67560
785.798.2825

St. John the Baptist Catholic Church was located one-half mile south of where the St. John the Baptist Cemetery is currently located. Construction of the church was begun in 1913 with the first Mass being said in 1914.  In 1927, a rectory was also constructed.  The parish was closed in 1960.

On 18 October 1904, St. John the Baptist Church was dedicated. In the years following, a rectory, parochial school, and sister’s house were also erected. The parochial school and sister's house are no longer part of the parish.

The current church building was dedicated on 22 September 1918.

Location:

100 S. Main St.
PO Box 187
Spearville, KS 67876
620.385.2212