We’ve been blessed with some lovely churches here in Kansas. Some are extremely well known and others are a bit more obscure. St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church is definitely in the latter category. Tucked away in the middle of a Kansas prairie, it’s a true hidden gem. And since it’s brimming with incredible beauty and history, it’s one hidden gem worth seeking out! Take a look:

Possibly one of the state’s best kept secrets, St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church is hidden in the Pilsen community, which is in the small town of Marion.

Towering 111 feet above the surrounding community, the stunning church is hard to miss – despite its remote locale.

The beautiful red brick church was built in 1915; however, the church’s history goes back much further.

Like many of the large churches in rural Kansas, the building that stands today isn’t the original. It’s actually the third St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church to be constructed on the site. The first St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church was built in 1888. A second, larger building replaced the original in 1894.

Just as stunning as the exterior, the interior is brimming with opulent features and intricate details, such as the main alter, which is made of hand-carved walnut.

Vibrant stained glass windows, which were transported via train from Chicago in the 1800s, are another notable feature found inside the church.

But there’s much more to the church’s history than the building that houses it.

Father Emil J. Kapaun, a longtime Pilsen resident and former pastor of the church, perished in a POW camp during the Korean War. The church’s rectory now houses a museum devoted to Father Kapaun, who is in the process of being declared a saint.

In addition to being open for regular service, St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church is open for tours. Touring the church and museum takes about two hours.

Don’t forget to spend some time exploring the grounds, too. There’s a grotto and a memorial dedicated to the Korean War veterans.

For more information, call St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church at (620) 382-3369. You can also visit the Holy Family Catholic Parish website.

So, did you know about the lovely church? Ever visited? If so, was it even more beautiful in person? Tell us in the comments section.

This isn’t the only beautiful church in Kansas. Read about others here.