November 10, 1967
Father John Wechensky
Father Wechensky was born in Newton, KS on February 9, 1905. After attending St. Mary’s Grade School in Newton he attended Benedict’s High School and College in Atchinson, KS and Kenrick Seminary in St. Louis, MO. Bishop Schwertner ordained him for the Diocese of Wichita at St. Mary’s Cathedral on May 21, 1932. As an assistant he served at Holy Name Parish in Coffeyville and St. Mary’s Cathedral in Wichita. On June 29, 1934 he received his only assignment as pastor to Sacred Heart Parish, Anthony with St. Patrick’s Parish, Harper and St. John’s Parish, Kiowa as missions. Fr. Wechensky died of a heart attack on November 10, 1967 at the age of sixty-two and with thirty-three years as a pastor. Bishop Carroll was the celebrant of Fr. Wechensky’s funeral Mass at Sacred Heart Church in Anthony and he was buried in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Newton.