The Barton County Historical Society will host a program about the creation of eight Catholic parishes in Ellis and Rush Counties in the late 1800s. Father Reggie Urban will give the presentation at 7 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 28 in the Ray Schulz Research Library at the historical village, just south of Great Bend. The program is free to historical society members and $5 for all others. Memberships to the society are available the evening of the program.

In 1876, Father Valentine Sommereisen, a German-speaking priest from France, arrived in Hays just as waves of Volga-German immigrants were settling in the region. In only 19 months, he founded eight Catholic parishes within a half-hour of Hays, spanning Ellis and Rush Counties. Join us as we explore his remarkable legacy, the growth of these early faith communities, and the enduring cultural impact of the Volga-German settlers in western Kansas.

Father Urban is a semi-retired priest of the Dodge City Diocese living in Hays, serving as pastor of Prince of Peace Parish in Great Bend for several years. Both sides of his Volga-German ancestry settled in the Pfeifer area. Since living in Hays, he has learned some interesting things about the Catholic priest from France who founded parishes in Hays, Catherine, Victoria, Pfeifer, Liebenthal, Rush Center, Munjor, and Schoenchen, and he will share those facts in his program.

The Barton County Historical Society is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Friday and 1-5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday.