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The cornerstone of this magnificient church was laid on June 27, 1909 being of black granite (1'x2'x2'6") and weighing nearly 1000 pounds. About the middle of August 1911, the church building was ready for occupancy though far from completed or furnished inside.

The main lines of the structure are cruciform in plan. The outside length of the church measures 134 feet; width of building with transept, 77 feet. All the half-circle arches over openings are trimmed in red brick to enhance the beauty of the limestone structure; blue, earth brown, and white glazed face brick adorn each side of the three front entrances and the area under the large window in the front of the church. Two small entrances are at each end of the transept. The gallery is at the west (front) of the church. The spired bell tower, topped by a gilded cross, rises high above the sanctuary. Two towers, not as high as the steeple, flank each side of the main entrance. Three large, arched, glass windows one in each transept and one above the entrance to the church adorn the edifice. The arched portion of these windows give the appearance of a half rose window. The seating capacity was designed for over 900.

Unlike most of the churches in Ellis county, the stone used was not post rock but rather from the Fort Hays chalk area west of Hays. Large layers of rock, about 8" thick were cleared of top soil and perforated by hand augers with holes 8" to 10" apart. Into these holes, wedges were inserted and tapped with a hammer until the rock sprang apart along the line of perforation. The stone was then loaded on wagons and hauled to the building site. This was a gigantic task without automatic lifts or power tools which we have today, for each stone wieghed from 50 to 100 pounds.

Attractions and Upcoming Events

Walter P. Chrysler Boyhood Home and Museum

The famous American, Walter P. Chrysler, spent his youth in Ellis, where he learned his trade as a mechanic with the Union Pacific Railroad. Chrysler's youth began 1878 in Ellis. When he was 17, he was hired as a sweeper and eventually became a machinist'

Ellis, KS Museums

Ellis Parks

Lakeside Campgrounds Located on the banks of Big Creek, offers a serene, picturesque atmosphere. Only a few short blocks from I-70

Ellis, KS Recreation


St. Mary's Church

The cornerstone of this magnificient church was laid on June 27, 1909 being of black granite (1'x2'x2'6") and weighing nearly 1000 pounds. About the middle of August 1911, the church building was ready for occupancy though far from completed or furnished inside.

Ellis, KS Historic Churches

Lakeside Campground

Just off I-70 at Exit 145 is Ellis Lakeside Campground. This picturesque campground is nestled along the south bank of Big Creek just two blocks off Washington Street on East 8th. This campground is fully equipped with handicapped accessible showers and bathhouse. The campground has 17

Ellis, KS RV Parks

Things to do near Ellis, KS

Webster Lake & State Park

7 miles west of Stockton on Highway 24 or 10 miles north of Zurich on Highway 258 from K-18. The 3,780 acre lake has campgro...