Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church will be dedicated on November 23.
The Catholic Church members persevered and will dedicate the new church building soon, following the devastating fire that destroyed the former building in August 2022.
St. Mary’s Catholic Church fire on August 29, 2022. Courtesy of Stephen Toal.
“We are having our first mass, a dedication mass, on Saturday, Nov 23 at 10 am,” said Mark McCoy, chairman of the church building committee. This mass is for parish members.
“The new church is looking beautiful and is in the same image and likeness of our previous church,” McCoy said
The regular mass services will begin on November 23 at 5:30 pm,
on Sunday, November 24 at 8 am and 10 am.
The members have been praying a special prayer each time they have services, for God’s guidance in the building of the church.
The prayer the Catholic Church has been praying during the church rebuild. Submitted photo.
“Having this prayer written by one of the rebuild committees was our first step,” McCoy said. “After each mass, since the fire and at gatherings and meetings, we have said that prayer.”
“Our parish members gave their time, talents and treasures to help with the rebuild.” McCoy said.
The artifacts of the church were all able to be brought back from the ashes, even the stained glass windows, McCoy said.
The cornerstone of the new Catholic Church in Fort Scott, states the church was established in 1860 and dedicated in 2024.
Restoration of the Artifacts
The professional restorer of the artifacts, Robert Ellis of Wichita, underestimated the time and cost of the restoration and started a donations account to meet the costs of time and labor of the years-long restoration.
Currently, $41,000 has been raised of the $65,000 restoration project, according to the GoFundMe page that Elliot set up.
“He wasn’t able to analyze all the depth of restoration or the artifacts at that time,” McCoy said in a prior interview. “We are so appreciative of the work he has taken on.”
One of the Stations of the Cross, following the devastating fire. Submitted photo.
When all of the stations and statues arrived at his studio, they were able to assess their condition and begin to comprehend the immense task they had undertaken, Elliot said in a prior interview.
All of the money allocated to the project was to cover the cost of labor, materials, studio rent, and insurance, he said.
One of the Stations of the Cross that was fully restored. Submitted photo.
“The Stations of the Cross and statues are completed and safely delivered and installed at the church,” Elliot said. “We succeeded in restoring every station and statue, restoring them to their original beauty and beyond.”
Elliot said a team of 34 artists, painters, apprentices, volunteers, and others helped with the 20-month project.
“We had four primary artists: Mary Francis Skinner – sculptor, painter; Kathy Faulkner – painter, researcher; Ian Snyder – painter; and myself, director/project manager, restorer, painter.
Three secondary painters: Leo and Jael Keesling, and Anna Gabriel
Two first assistant apprentices: Hector and Michael Ibarra
Four paid apprentices: John Suffield, Matan and Gabe Umbarger, Madi Brunke
Two former parishioners from MoQA, Fort Scott volunteers: Jane Clark and Pat Lowrance
Three Wichita State University Interns: Tiffany Tucker, Haylee Vu and Marshall Woodie
Three Bishop Carroll Catholic High School volunteer apprentices: Landon Whiterock and Luke Ramsick, and Amara Erwin
One homeschool high school age volunteer apprentice: Micheala Ferguson
Four Concordia AcademyHigh School volunteer apprentices: Sarah Lovett, Esther Postier, Amara Garfield, and Ryan Harms
Six volunteers: Roberta Sheahan, Maria Rice, John Killian, Kenna Alderson, Naphtali Garfield, and Sarah Erwin
One paid helper: Spencer Hoff
Our mold maker: Dan Ochs
In total, we had 34 people working on the project over the course of 20 months,” he said.
“We are still requesting donations until the end of the year to help offset our deficit at gofund.me/95a83e95 or directly to Mary Queen of Angels Church earmarked Stations and Statues Fund,” he said.
The stained glass window of Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church.
Coffee, juice, and light refreshments will be served along with a giveaway drawing!
Sunshine Boutique opened in 1981 by Georgia Brown and has been a cornerstone of Downtown for the past 43 years. Georgia recently officially transitioned ownership to one of her granddaughters, Rilie Creollo. Rilie is excited to continue the generational business, operating with the same amazing ideas and practices, although Georgia is still involved in ensuring the transition goes smoothly.
The kitchen room of Sunshine Boutique has a wide variety of coffees and gourmet treats. The back of the house is a floral design area where unique daily arrangements, corsage and boutonniere sets, wedding arrangements, and so much more are made. A $20 per month floral subscription, offering customers regular access to fresh blooms is also available. The boutique storefront has curated a wide selection of trendy clothing specific to each season.
Click here for their Facebook page for updates and upcoming events!
Thank you to our Chamber Champion members shown below…
34 esteemed educators nationwide selected for online professional development focused on Unsung Heroes will develop innovative capstone projects for their classrooms and communities.
ARTEFFECT Ambassadors is a prestigious visual arts education online fellowship for educators working directly with students in grades 6-12. The 34 fellows in the second annual cohort hail from 21 states.
This year’s ARTEFFECT Ambassadors will participate in a series of online professional development sessions, learning from other high-level practitioners in a collegial peer-learning community. Ambassadors also develop learner-centered visual-arts-based capstone projects. The program running through June 2025 culminates with Ambassadors presenting their capstone projects—such as developing a new lesson plan, a student art exhibition, a teacher-training program, a publication, or other activities—that have been implemented effectively within their classrooms and communities.
Members of the cohort represent diverse educational, professional, and geographic backgrounds. Browse Ambassadors profiles here.
All educators are invited to join these free online sessions to foster teaching and learning about the LMC Unsung Heroes through the visual arts. Led by seasoned practitioners, these sessions explore varied themes related to the LMC Unsung Heroes, delve into strategies to deepen instructional practice, support student participation in the annual ARTEFEECT competition, and offer opportunities to engage with an expanding network of educators. Lesson plans and Certificate of Participation provided. Learn more and register: https://bit.ly/ARTEFFECT-Online-Sessions
Still Time to Join!
Character & Values Session
Wednesday, 11/20 @ 4:00PM PT
The 36th annual Kiwanis Pioneers Chili Feed is today, November 19th at the First United Methodist Church at 301 South National in Fort Scott.
A meal of the Pioneer’s signature chili, (the same recipe prepared since the chili feed’s inception) with crackers and a homemade cinnamon roll will be served from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
A free-will donation (suggested minimum $8.00 donation per meal) will be collected at the door.
“All of the funds raised stay in Bourbon County,” stated
Kiwanis Pioneer President Kelley Collins. “The annual fundraiser will be drive-through only. Pick-ups will be available under the canopy of the First United Methodist Church on the National Avenue side of the church. Please take care not to block private driveways as you are waiting in line for service.”
Deliveries will be available for orders of ten or more by calling 620-224-0563 during serving hours.
This is the Kiwanis Pioneers major fundraiser for the year.
In keeping with the Kiwanis motto of Improving the world one child and one community at a time, the Pioneers support more than 40 community projects including college scholarships, Court Appointed Special Advocates (for children), the Backpack food program,
Fort Scott High School Key Club, Head Start, the Beacon, foster children, Feeding Families in His Name, Care to Share,
and school reading and arts programs.
About Pioneer Kiwanis
They are a service organization helping the children of Bourbon County.
Recently they completed a project for the local Head Start Program that involved Fort Scott Community College Construction Trades class members.
Head Start Fort Scott now has two new picnic tables for picnics and art classes at their site at 409 S. Judson.
A recent project of the Pioneer KiwanisPictured are (seated) front row from left, Pioneer Kiwanis members Kelley Collins and Vickie Chaplin; SEK-CAP Child and Family Development Educator Janice Durbin and Marie Wheeler, cook; middle row (seated) Maggie Brenner and Marlene Braker (standing) of the Pioneer Kiwanis; back row from left, Fort Scott Community College construction trades instructor Jason Johnson and students.
Members of the Pioneer Kiwanis club, SEK-CAP representatives, students in Fort Scott High School’s construction trades program, and their instructor pose for a photo, above, during the presentation of the two picnic tables to the SEK-CAP Head Start program this month.
Volunteers are needed in Fort Scott as meal servers and meal delivery drivers for the Southeast Kansas Agency on Aging 60+ nutrition program. The positions are open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Call Deb Stewart at 620-305-1539 for any questions.
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce announces the
Annual Christmas Parade
Thursday, December 5th
Downtown Fort Scott @ 6pm
The parade theme this year will be
“A Storybook Christmas”
The Chamber is calling all participants including businesses, schools, organizations, and individuals to enter the parade. There is no cost to register a float, golf cart, foot unit, band, horse unit, car, or other entry.
The parade is being sponsored by Briggs Auto.
Cash prizes will be awarded for overall 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place entries.
Entries may be made online at fortscott.com under the events tab, or by picking up a form at the Chamber office, 231 E. Wall Street. Entry deadline is Tuesday, December 3rd at 1pm.
The parade route will start at Wall & National, go south to 3rd St., turn left to Main St., then north on Main to Skubitz Plaza where the parade will end at the Mayor’s Christmas Tree.
Additional activities that evening will include:
* Lighting of the Mayor’s Christmas Tree
* Holiday Fireworks
*Photos with Santa at the Mayor’s Christmas Tree
*The Holiday Market Booths open from 5 to 10pm
* The Parkway Church of God Holiness – across from the Mayor’s Tree selling kettle corn
The 2nd Annual Christmas on the Bricks Festival will continue that weekend, and the full schedule may be found by clicking here!
The ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for tomorrow (Tuesday), Nov. 19 at the Department of Children and Families’ new Fort Scott Service Center. We hope you can join us!
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
When: Tuesday, Nov. 19, from 2-4 p.m.
Where: 10 S. National Ave., Fort Scott
What: Remarks from Secretary Laura Howard, ribbon cutting, refreshments and guided tours
Timothy Edward Phillips, age 37, made it through the checkered flag on November 14th, 2024, as he raced his way into Heaven’s gates. Born June 18, 1987, to Kenny Edward Phillips, Jr. and Tammy Ann (Harper) Phillips, he resided in the rural Fort Scott area his entire life. Timmy graduated from Uniontown High School in 2005 and was employed by Timken (formally Carlisle) for 19.5 years.
Although he frequented many different tracks, on any given Friday or Saturday night, you could find Timmy at Humboldt or Nevada Speedway with his family in the stands and his dad Kenny by his side. He had many hobbies to occupy his time including gaming, drawing, duck hunting and fishing. Timmy loved his family with everything he had and lived for racing his girls, and nephews around the field in the RAZR and hosting Sunday dinners where he would show off his smoking or grilling skills, introducing more new recipes than they could keep track of.
Tim leaves behind the love of his life, Jami Morgan, and their beautiful girls, Kenzi and Rylee. Tim is also survived by his parents, Kenny and Tammy Phillips, a sister, Kennda (Curtis) Major, nephews, Kason and Kipp Major; grandpa, Kenny Phillips, Sr. and Jami’s parents, Karen and Steve Brumback, as well as numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Tim was preceded in death by grandparents, Sue Cannon, Melvin Harper and Bonnie Phillips, great-grandmother, Cathern Smith and a close cousin, Hunter Kovacic.
Timmy’s life will be celebrated at 11:00 A.M. Thursday, November 21st at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Burial will follow in the Centerville Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 P.M. Wednesday at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Memorials are suggested to the Phillips Education Fund for Kenzi and Rylee and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
Harry Lee Meek, age 81, resident of Fort Scott, KS died Sunday, November 17, 2024, at his home. He was born July 27, 1943, in Fort Scott, the son of Frank and Virginia “Tootie” Poyner Meek. Harry graduated from Richards, MO high school. He married Bonnie Mann in 1969 in Nevada, MO. They later divorced.
Harry worked for 60-plus years for Maceli Music Company. He loved every Thursday traveling to bars on his route, repairing pool tables and jukebox machines. In his spare time, he could be seen cruising through town in his truck. He enjoyed 50s and 60s music and Western movies, especially John Wayne. Harry was a generous man, willing to help anyone in need.
Survivors include two daughters, Cindy Marsh and Lisa Meek, both of Fort Scott; 4 grandchildren, Tyler, Tanner, and Courtney Meek, and Fernando “Ponch” Arellano; a brother, Charlie Meek (Helen), Richards, MO; a sister, Brenda Budd (Albert), Nevada, MO; ex-wife Bonne Meek, Fort Scott; an aunt, Martha Cook, Fort Scott; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by a son, Curtis Meek; a granddaughter, Remington Rose Meek; a brother, Tom Meek; and his parents.
The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 Thursday evening November 21st, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Cremation will follow.
Memorial donations are suggested to the Harry Lee Meek Memorial Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted online at cheneywitt.com.
