St. Nicholas of Myra Parish – Hays

Founded 1983

Just as Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Hays was formed to alleviate overcrowding at St. Joseph’s Parish, a third Catholic community was announced in May 1983 to serve the growing east side of Hays.

Father Daniel Scheetz, the first pastor, and a steering committee of new parishioners immediately set to work to build the new St. Nicholas of Myra Church. A rectory was purchased, where the pastor worked and lived and offered daily Mass. Parishioners met at Hays High School for the Sunday liturgy.

Ground-breaking took place in October 1984, and the new structure was dedicated a year later before a crowd of 1,000.

A rectory was constructed next to the church in 2007, and future plans call for building a parish center.

Since 1995, the parish has adopted St. Paul’s Mission located at Crownpoint, N.M., on the Navajo Indian reservation. The parish supports the mission financially, as well as delivers food, furniture and clothing at least annually.