April 3, 1914
Father John Loevenich
Father Loevenich was born in 1853 at Stuerlzelberg on the Rhine, Germany. After attending the American College of Louvain, he was ordained for the Diocese of Leavenworth in 1879. One of his early assignments was at Clay Center and later as assistant to Father James O'Reilly (who was later named the first bishop of Wichita) where he was charged with the care of the German Catholics in Topeka. Bishop Fink sent him to Wichita in 1886 to organize a parish for German Speaking Catholics. On land bought from "Buffalo Bill" for $2,000.00 at Second and Ohio Streets he built St. Boniface's Church and School. (History of the Diocese of Wichita, p. 52) After the parish was given to the care of the Franciscans, he was sent to St. Joseph, Ost, where he built a church. He started St. Mary's Parish at Aleppo in 1890 where he built a church, school and rectory. His last assignment was to Andale where he planned and started the present church but was unable to complete it due to illness. He died on April 3, 1914 in Andale two years after retiring. His exceptionally large funeral was celebrated by Bishop Hennessy who said in his sermon, "Father Loevenich was one of the best priests the Diocese of Wichita ever had." (The Advance Register, April 11, 1914) Father Ernst of Colwich preached the German sermon. Father Loevenich was buried in Andale next to his predecessor, Father George Meyer.