The Cross in the Valley

In 1875, Germans from the Volga region in Russia set out on the perilous journey to America to begin a new life away from the oppression they were experiencing in Russia.  In August of 1876 they arrived in Hays City.  Many of them immediately walked to the land promised them, which was to the southeast of Hays City.   When they came upon the bluffs overlooking the Smoky Hill River they were filled with hope the land would be fertile and their crops would flourish.  They named their town Pfeifer.

It was not an easy life and some were discouraged.  There were years of bumper crops and years of crop failures.  But the one thing that never waivered was their faith in God.

One of their first tasks was to erect a huge cross where they could gather in the evenings to say the rosary and read passages from the Bible.  In late 1876, a parish was established and the first mass was said on Dec. 10.  In 1877, a frame church was built.  On May 3, 1890, the foundation & cornerstone was laid for a stone church.

Sometime after the turn of the century, there was talk of building a new stone church.  This did not set well with everyone, and several families moved south and built a new town and parish.  But in 1911 the plans were drawn up and it was decided to build the new church on the site of the present church.  The foundation was laid around the old church and built up around it.  The cornerstone was laid on May 3, 1916.

World War 1 hindered construction, but the parishioners were determined to continue in order to honor those who were serving overseas.  All work was completed by the parishioners and local skilled workers.  On May 3, 1918, Holy Cross Church was dedicated.  Total cost was $56,000.  It was designed in the shape of a cross and has become known as the ‘Cross in the Valley’.  It is also known as the ‘Church within a Church’.

From the first days of the settlement of Pfeifer, whenever anything needed to be financed, bushels of wheat were involved.  This new church was no exception.  Parishioners were assessed 2 cents per bushel of wheat.  The Church then became known as the ‘2 cent Church’.

The date May 3rd commemorates the finding of The Holy Cross, while September 14th is the feast of the Exaltation of The Holy Cross.   In 1993, the diocese closed Holy Cross Church (the church). Even though Holy Cross is no longer an active parish, an annual mass is said close to September 14th.  The church is also available for special celebrations.

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Tax free contributions are appreciated and can be mailed to Holy Cross Charities, 1313 Steven Dr., Hays, KS  67601.  History books are also available upon request.