January 27, 1939

Father William Paul

Father Paul was born on February 21, 1881 in Rhineland, Germany. After studying for the priesthood in Austria and Rome he was ordained at Tivoli, Italy, on December 17, 1907. His first assignment in the Diocese of Wichita was to St. John’s Institute (Sisters of the Precious Blood) in Wichita where he remained for eleven years. Fr. Paul had two assignments as pastor, one to Offerle from 1921 to 1931 and the other to Cunningham from 1931 to 1939. Just as he entered the sacristy to celebrate Mass on Friday, January 27, 1939 he suffered a heart attack and died later that afternoon. “Father Paul was an accomplished musician. He was a splendid organist and a composer of hymns and Masses. Many of his compositions were marketed. But his success as musician and composer was eclipsed by his success as a pastor.” (The Catholic Advance, Feb. 4, 1939) A Requiem Mass was celebrated in Cunningham by Father August Heimann and the sermon was preached by Father John Butler. A second Requiem Mass was celebrated in Liebenthal where Father Paul was buried.