April 19, 1889

Father Francis X. Kraus

Father Kraus was born in Wurtember, Germany, on September 17, 1854. “He commenced to study for the priesthood in his youth, and in July, 1875, emigrated to America, landing in New York City, whence he proceeded directly to Minnesota and entered St. John’s College. June 28, 1879 he came to Kansas; was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop L. M. Fink for the Leavenworth Diocese.” (Harvest of the Prairie, St. Mark 1875-2000 [parish history], p. 7) In 1880 Father Kraus was assigned to St. Aloysius Parish, Meriden, where he built a church and also founded St. Theresa Parish in nearby Perry, KS. “In this year [1884] Father F.[X.] Kraus came to St. Mark’s as pastor. He built a larger frame church, also a three room sisters’ house and used the first church building for a school with a lay teacher in charge.” (History of the Diocese of Wichita, p. 49) He died on April 19, 1889 of blood poisoning and was the first pastor to be buried in St. Mark Cemetery.