How Catholic immigrants built America
This is the third article in a series.
by Therese Horvat
Special to The Leaven
MEXICAN
Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, Topeka
As recounted by Father Peter Jaramillo, SSA, a native son of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Topeka, immigrants came to the city from central Mexico in response to the tumult of the start of the Mexican Revolution in 1910. They sought jobs with the railroad and as laborers.
In 1914, Pedro Lopez, an entrepreneur of Mexican food products and a strong Catholic, met Father Epifanio Ocampo. They discussed the desire for a church to serve Topeka’s Mexican families. Following meetings with neighboring priests, they submitted a request to Bishop John Ward, who supported this ministry opportunity. Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish was established on Nov. 4, 1914. A small, rented store served as the first church.
Problems persisted in Mexico with anti-clerical laws and rampant persecution of Catholics. Immigrants continued to leave their homeland in pursuit of freedom.
In 1921, parishioners donated time, money and skills to build their second church. Father Peter said that in 1923, the parish gained greater stability under the pastoral leadership of the Augustinian Recollect priests who had established a monastery in Kansas City, Kansas. The parish opened a school in 1924.
In 1933, Our Lady of Guadalupe began the tradition of Fiesta Mexicana, a popular event that brings Mexican music, dance and food to Topeka. Funds raised supported the parish school. Growth of the parish led to construction of a new church that was blessed in 1947 and a new, larger school in 1954.
The parish website notes that while it may seem like the early founders’ emphasis “might have been on building buildings, but their vision was in creating community.”
Father Peter says that the Mexican people have a strong devotion to preserving the faith, inspired by their love of Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Father Peter, a now-retired three-time deployed National Guard chaplain, said that Americans should appreciate the history of immigrants as fundamental to the fabric of the United States.
“Immigrant life is what made America great in the past,” he said.
Father Peter is hopeful that values-based guiding principles, just laws and actions will give today’s deserving immigrants similar opportunities to contribute to the country’s future.
