Dear Editor,
I read the Great Bend Tribune article: “Secretary tours Sts. Peter and Paul” (Sept 18th issue, Tribune). I am glad that Nick Jordan, Kansas Secretary of Revenue reassured people at a Town Hall that the Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church, approximately five miles north of Ellinwood, will receive tax-credits to reimburse 27 percent of the cost of replacing the church’s iconic 99-foot tall steeple and copper cross, which was blown over in the same tornado-producing storm that hit Greensburg in May of 2007. I am also pleased that the original three church bells will be reinstalled. As the article noted, this beautiful Church was built in the year 1892 and is the oldest parish in the diocese of Dodge City. I recall my late mother, Gloria (Riedl) Marples, saying some of her Riedl and Bahr cousins were married in that same Church ---which my mother described as a “beautiful Church”. I am pleased that the funds will be administered through the  Kansas Historical Society. I extend my best wishes to the Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church and hope the parish will continue the enrich and bless the lives of area residents, parishioners and visitors.
James A. Marples,
Esbon