Now...this house serves as spiritual home for Episcopal students and faculty at K-State - and many others who seek what it offers. It host weekly Sunday evening worship services in the living room; church memeber and student leaders live both upstairs and downstairs; the dining room provides for lively religious and philosophical discussions; and flowers are cultivated outside the chaplain's office door. Children and young adults mix freely much of the time.
Before the Civil War...St. Paul's church community was established in Manhattan, and has always had close involvement with the university. Evening services and social events have provided nurture for students at the parish for many years.
In 1945...Bishop Fenner began to name K-State and Kansas University as important sites for pastoral care and mission. In the late 40's the 50's, and 60's, the Diocese and parishes - St. Paul's and St. Luke's in Wamego - utilized various models of shared ministry to students, with the chaplain often serving as curate or vicar in one of the parishes as well. This was the era of the Canterbury clubs which grew up on campuses around the U.S.
In the last four decades of the 1900's...Along with the staples of weekly eucharistic worship, scripture study, and companionship, many creative expressions of Christian ministry emerged: mime and clown performances of the Gospel texts on campus; civil rights and anti-war efforts; womens' groups with special worship; and retreats focused on the environment and fine arts. St. Francis has been a ministry which balances the comfort of Christian nurture with the call to proclaim the Gospel to an ever-changing culture.
Check out the future...which depends
on the Holy Spirit and you!