The Immaculata Catholic Church

The Society of St. Pius X acquired the former Jesuit college and seminary in St. Marys, Kansas, drawn in large part by the magnificent Prairie Gothic Immaculata Church that stood at the center of the campus. Tragically, while restoration of the church was nearing completion, an electrical fire destroyed the building in November 1978. Although plans to rebuild began immediately, subsequent windstorms brought down the remaining walls, and the project was abandoned. For nearly four decades, the loss of the Immaculata left both a physical and spiritual void within the community.

As the parish and academy continued to grow, it became clear that reconstructing the original church would no longer meet the needs of the congregation. In 2017, the decision was made to construct an entirely new church on a prominent hill north of the academic campus, adjacent to the parish cemetery. The site overlooks St. Marys and the Kansas River Valley, allowing the new Immaculata to once again serve as the visual and spiritual landmark of the campus.

The church follows a traditional Latin cross plan, crowned by a twelve-sided cupola and framed by twin bell towers housing five custom-cast bronze bells. The sanctuary is encircled by an arcaded ambulatory and is complemented by a baptistery, reliquary chapel, eight confessionals, and four side chapels. A choir loft and cry room sit atop the narthex, while the naturally sloping site accommodates a walk-out lower level containing parish offices, classrooms, a parish hall, and support spaces.

Inspired by the great Romanesque churches of Europe, the New Immaculata combines timeless architectural traditions with the needs of a modern parish. Rich masonry, classical proportions, handcrafted ornament, and carefully integrated sacred artwork create a church that honors the legacy of its predecessor while establishing a home worthy of God’s presence for generations of worshippers to come.

The New Immaculata demonstrates how traditional architecture can continue to serve contemporary communities, creating buildings that are both enduring works of art and living places of worship.

Owner: Society of St. Pius X/ St. Mary’s Academy & College

Size: 66,400 sf; seats 1,580

Services provided: programming, master planning, site planning, architectural design, interior design, liturgical design, fundraising support, construction administration