Kansas
These are the 5 most beautiful Gothic churches in Kansas
Topeka, Salina, Lawrence and small communities in north-central and northwest Kansas are home to the five most beautiful Gothic cathedrals in the state, the World Atlas website says.
Gothic cathedrals have historically been built to be monumental and impressive, drawing eyes toward the heavens while creating an atmosphere that feels sacred.
Pointed arches, flying buttresses, soaring ribbed vaults and intricate stained-glass windows are among architectural characteristics from the Gothic art period, which flourished between the 12th and 16th centuries in Europe.
A Gothic architecture revival then emerged in the 19th century in the U.S.
Gothic churches here show faith, talent, architectural ambition
An article published in December by World Atlas identifies what it characterized as being the five most beautiful Gothic churches in Kansas.
“The state of Kansas’s variety of Gothic churches, built around the late 19th and early 20th centuries, serves as an important reminder of the creative and cultural aspirations of the state’s founders, regardless of whether they were made with local limestone, imported stone, or red brick,” the site said.
Those churches serve as significant representations of faith, talent and architectural ambition, it said.
World Atlas identified the Sunflower State’s five most beautiful Gothic churches as being the following.
Grace Episcopal Cathedral, Topeka
Topeka’s Grace Episcopal Cathedral “offers one of the most compelling combinations of Gothic Revival style and regional limestone craftsmanship in Kansas,” creating a balance “between Gothic drama and Midwestern simplicity,” World Atlas said.
“The current stone cathedral was constructed primarily between 1910 and 1917, although its twin western towers were completed later,” the site said.
The majestic cathedral at SW 8th and Polk was ravaged in 1975 by a devastating arson fire.
But the church was subsequently rebuilt in “one of the most significant late-20th-century preservation achievements in Kansas,” World Atlas said.
The former English Lutheran Church, Lawrence
The rusticated limestone English Lutheran Church in Lawrence is “a great example of Late Gothic Revival architecture on the Kansas frontier,” World Atlas said.
The church was built around 1870, and additions were made around 1900, it said.
“After falling into disrepair in the mid-20th century, preservation efforts by the Lawrence Historic Preservation Alliance and the Kansas State Historical Society saved the building,” World Atlas said. “It was reopened in 1993 as office space, and the adaptive reuse preserved its major architectural features.”
Christ Episcopal Cathedral, Salina
Salina’s Christ Episcopal Cathedral is “perhaps the most academically faithful example of Gothic Revival architecture in Kansas,” World Atlas said.
“The cathedral was built from 1906 to 1908 through a substantial memorial bequest,” it said. “The structure is laid out in a traditional cruciform plan, imitating the floor plans of medieval English parish churches and collegiate chapels.”
Christ Cathedral serves as the seat of the Episcopal Diocese of Western Kansas, enhancing its importance not just architecturally but also spiritually, World Atlas said.
St. Bridget Catholic Church, Axtell
St. Bridget Catholic Church is located in Marshall County in north-central Kansas, about six and one-half miles north of Axtell, which has a population of about 400. It provides “a noteworthy example of Gothic Revival architecture suited for Kansas,” World Atlas said.
The red brick church, built between 1902 and 1908, reflects “both the parish’s modest means and its dedication to the Gothic style,” the site said.
“Measuring roughly 50 by 100 feet, the church remained in use until 1967, after which the St. Bridget Historical Society was formed to save it from demolition,” World Atlas said. “Now preserved as a historic landmark, its natural rural setting and well-maintained exterior make it a photogenic favorite for those capturing Gothic architecture against the prairie sky.”
Holy Cross Catholic Church, Pfeifer
Holy Cross Catholic Church, located in the unincorporated community of Pfeifer in southeast Ellis County in northwest Kansas, is one of the state’s “most extraordinary expressions of Gothic Revival architecture,” World Atlas said.
“Built between 1915 and 1918, the church stands as a testament to Bavarian immigrant craftsmanship, community labor, and architectural aspiration,” it said. “Constructed from native post-rock limestone, the church’s façade features three soaring spires, the center rising approximately 165 feet, flanked by twin towers of about 100 feet each.”
Holy Cross parish was dissolved in 1993, said the website of the Kansas Sampler Foundation, which identifies it as being one of the “8 Wonders of Kansas Architecture.”
World Atlas said: “Large stained-glass windows — installed during the early decades of the 20th century — fill the interior with a gentle, multicolored glow. Today, it remains open to visitors and continues to inspire admiration for its craftsmanship and serene beauty.”
Holy Cross is located about 11 miles south of the Romanesque Basilica of St. Fidelis at Victoria in Ellis County, which is known as the “Cathedral” of the Plains.”
Contact Tim Hrenchir at 785-213-5934 or threnchir@gannett.com.
KSHB 41 reporter La’Nita Brooks covers stories in Kansas City, Missouri, and stories offering solutions on crime. Share your story idea with La’Nita.
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Hundreds of people filled the streets of Kansas City, Missouri, on Saturday for the KC Pride 2026 parade. The route started in Westport and ended near Country Club Plaza.
This year’s theme, “It’s all ours,” represents everything Pride has built and all that is to come — a message that resonated deeply with many in the crowd.
Brian Luton
“I feel like today means like we matter, like as queer people,” said attendee Erynn. “I’m a lesbian but anyone who’s queer, trans — especially right now — it feels like they’re trying to make us matter less. They’re trying to almost reduce visibility. And something like this, to me, says you’re not going to silence us and we’re going keep being visible and keep being who we are, and we’re going to do it in a joyful fun-loving way.”
The parade drew people from across the region, including some who came to KCMO specifically for the event.
Brian Luton
“I’m from Pittsburg, Kansas, so we came up to spend the day and hangout and go to the parade,” Stan Forrest said.
For others, the day was about community and a decades-long journey.
Brian Luton
“I came out 50 years ago,” Fanny Mandelberger said. “So, obviously to be in community. To keep the not so much a fight just living your authentic self. I’m grateful to my ancestry that taught me resilience, (to) stand up for who you are.”
Those in attendance said they hope the celebration continues to grow.
“It was amazing,” Forrest said. “We had a lot of fun. Everyone here is so joyful, it’s really refreshing to see.”
Brian Luton
A social media post from Our Spot KC/KC Pride this week sparked discussion after it suggested Kansas City, Missouri, officials were banned from attending this year, due to the city council’s rescission of the city’s conversion therapy ban. The organizations responded with a new statement on social media and the original post has since been removed.
“We posted the wrong draft. We are human, after all, and we’ve been quite busy running our biggest weekend of the year,” KC Pride said in part on social media.
An excerpt from the new statement can be read below.
“As Our Sport KC’s staff and volunteers have been preparing for KC PrideFest and Parade 2026, we’ve heard from countless community members who feel betrayed and hurt by the recent repeal of Kansas City, Missouri’s conversion therapy ban and the vague replacement language that followed. We want to publicly give voice to those legitimate concerns and the impacts to LGBTQ+ youth, adults and families.
“We stepped away from PrideFest production to have several conversations this week and make sure our voices were at the table because that is what this work actually looks like. Showing up when it is hard, building relationships that last, and staying committed to real solutions over quick reactions. We have seen and heard apologies from some leaders for the way this was handled and we receive that accountability as a step in the right direction. We are working directly with the LGBTQ+ Commission, the mayor’s office, legal teams, community members and councilmembers to get the language right and get our community protected. We are hopeful that this moment also opens the door to getting the commission fully seated, supported and resourced with a dedicated full-time liaison, so it can function the way our community has always deserved…”
PrideFest continues at Theis Park through the weekend.
Below are more sights from the parade Saturday morning.
Brian Luton/KSHB
Brian Luton/KSHB
Brian Luton/KSHB Brian Luton/KSHB
This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
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TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) – The Kansas Highway Patrol has confirmed that two individuals died and one child was left seriously injured following a semi-vehicle crash on Friday, closing a portion of I-70.
According to the KHP Crash Log, the incident was reported around 3:47 p.m. on I-70 in Wabaunsee County.
A 2024 Kenworth Construction (semi) was eastbound on I-70 when, for an unknown reason, it crossed the center median into the westbound lanes of traffic.
The semi struck a 2020 Buick Envision, which was westbound in the right lane of traffic.
The Kansas Highway Patrol released the identities of the individuals involved.
The driver of the Buick, 70-year-old Barbara Krier, of Great Bend, died of a fatal injury. Another occupant in the Buick, 50-year-old Steven Reed, of Topeka, also died of a fatal injury.
A 7-year-old child was also in the vehicle at the time and suffered a serious injury. The child was taken to a hospital.
The semi driver, Jason Webb, 45, of Cheboygan, Michigan, was also taken to a hospital with a suspected minor injury.
View the full Kansas Highway Patrol Crash Log report HERE.
Copyright 2026 WIBW. All rights reserved.
NESS COUNTY – The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI), the Ness County Sheriff’s Office, and the Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP) arrested a Ness City man following the execution of a search warrant Thursday morning.
At approximately 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, KBI agents and Ness County sheriff’s deputies executed a search warrant at 609 S. School Street in Ness City. During the search, law enforcement discovered large quantities of methamphetamine, cocaine, LSD, marijuana, and mushrooms, and seized 130 firearms. Explosive materials were also located, which required assistance from the KHP Hazardous Devices Unit to safely secure the scene before the search could resume.
Following the operation, the Kansas Department of Revenue’s Alcoholic Beverage Control Division (ABC) completed a tax assessment on the seized narcotics, successfully collecting over $118,000 from the suspect for the lack of required drug tax stamps.
Chad Sunley, 45, of Ness City, was arrested on requested charges of distribution of methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of a school, distribution of marijuana within 1,000 feet of a school, distribution of LSD within 1,000 feet of a school, distribution of cocaine within 1,000 feet of a school, distribution of mushrooms within 1,000 feet of a school, manufacturing explosive devices, possession of stolen firearms, felony possession of drug paraphernalia, misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia, and no drug tax stamp.
Sunley was booked into the Ness County Jail.
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