Diocese of Concordia

The Diocese of Concordia, a suffragan diocese of the Latin Rite, was a historic diocese in the United States. Established in 1887 by Pope Leo XIII, it served the Catholic population across northern Kansas. The see was renamed the Diocese of Salina in 1944, after which it became a titular see. Stored in Cargo: Diocese of Concordia

Diocese: Diocese of Concordia
Status:	Historic
Rite:	Latin
Type:	Suffragan diocese
Country:	United States
Region:	Kansas
Existence:	1887–1944
Successor Dioceses:	Diocese of Salina
Chancery Address:	Concordia, Kansas

Establishment

The Diocese of Concordia was established on 2 August 1887 by Pope Leo XIII to serve the growing Catholic population in northern Kansas, carved from territory previously under the Diocese of Leavenworth.

History

Early Years

The diocese was created amid rapid settlement of the American frontier, with its first bishop overseeing the construction of churches and schools to support immigrant Catholic communities.

Renaming

In 1944 the see was renamed the Diocese of Salina to reflect the relocation of the episcopal see to Salina, Kansas. Its territory remained substantially the same.

Geography

The diocese covered the northern portion of Kansas, including the following counties:

• Cheyenne
• Rawlins
• Decatur
• Norton
• Phillips
• Smith
• Jewell
• Republic
• Cloud
• Ottawa
• Mitchell
• Osborne
• Rooks
• Graham
• Sheridan
• Thomas
• Sherman
• Wallace
• Logan
• Gove
• Trego
• Ellis
• Russell
• Lincoln
• Ellsworth
• Saline (partial)

Mother Church

The former Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Concordia served as the mother church until the see was transferred to Salina.

Leadership

Past Bishops

Name	Tenure	Notes
John Francis Cunningham	1887–1898	First Bishop of Concordia; transferred to Bishop of Wichita.
Thaddeus Joseph Butler	1898–1899	Died shortly after appointment.
John Joseph Hennessy	1899–1904	Transferred to Bishop of Wichita.
Francis Joseph Tief	1904–1931	Oversaw significant growth; retired.
Thaddeus Joseph Butler (again, as administrator)	1931–1934	Apostolic administrator.
Paul Clarence Schulte	1934–1944	Last Bishop of Concordia; see renamed Diocese of Salina.

According to diocesan records and Vatican appointments.

Titular Status

The Diocese of Concordia is now a titular see. It has been assigned to auxiliary bishops and other prelates since its suppression as a residential diocese.

Fun facts

Below are some fun facts about the Diocese of Concordia:

Did you know? The Diocese of Concordia was founded in 1887 by Pope Leo XIII to minister to pioneer Catholic families settling the Kansas plains.

Surprise! Its first cathedral stood in the small town of Concordia before the episcopal seat moved south to Salina in 1944.

Here's something cool: Early bishops traveled by horse and rail to visit scattered parishes across more than twenty northern Kansas counties.

Wow moment: The diocese helped establish dozens of rural schools that educated generations of Catholic children before public education expanded.

Little-known gem: One of its bishops later became the first Archbishop of Indianapolis, carrying Kansas missionary spirit to Indiana.

Fun fact: The original see city of Concordia still honors its Catholic roots with historic church buildings dating to the diocese's founding era.

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Associated saints

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Diocesan photos

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External Links

• Successor Diocese of Salina official website