Our History

The early 1980’s saw a tremendous growth in the population of south Leawood and southeastern Overland Park. With the influx of many Catholic families into these areas the need for a new parish quickly became evident. Archbishop Strecker responded with the establishment of the Church of the Nativity on June 29, 1986, the Feast of Sts. Peter & Paul. Father Tom Tank was appointed pastor effective July 13, 1986.

The original parishioners numbered 242 families from Cure of Ars, and 175 from Saint Thomas More. The parish has seen steady growth as our members have increased to more than 2,100 families. Expansion continues as new families move into the community to share our parish life and enrich our community with their faith and enthusiasm.

The name, Church of the Nativity, was chosen to honor the Mystery of the Incarnation and to remind us of our call to be continually reborn into life in Christ. Nativity also reflects well the nature of our youthful parish in which we are continually blessed with the birth of new members into our home, and parish families.

Our first gathering as a parish was an outdoor Mass and social at Leawood Park on August 3, 1986 with over 550 people attending. Regular Sunday Masses began at Leawood Middle School in September, 1986 and a month later we initiated our religious education program with 350 students and 30 volunteer teachers and aides. Catholic education was provided through our inter-parish school with Cure of Ars, our mother parish.

A parish house was purchased in December, 1986 to serve as a residence for the pastor, church offices and daily Mass chapel. A church site at 119th & Mission Road was acquired partially through a donation by Mr. & Mrs. John Moffitt.

Ground breaking for the church and education center was celebrated on April 8, 1990. Construction on the education center was completed in time for the opening of our parish school in the fall of 1991.

The dedication of the church and other facilities was celebrated on February 15, 1992. With an expanding parish community and additional needs for educational space, the second phase of construction was begun on the educational center in January, 1994 with completion of the educational facilities and parish activity center/gymnasium in the fall of the same year.

Nativity has already developed a rich spirit of community life and church involvement. Parishioners are actively involved both within and outside of the parish in building up the People of God and spreading God’s Kingdom! With the help of God’s blessing and the involvement of all, the best pages of our history are yet to be written.

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