Father Francis Hayden (1852-1926)                                 HOME

                     Father Hayden was born 11-3-1852 in County Roscommon, Ireland. He traveled to the United States in 1869. He studied at a seminary that was located at the present site of the Assumption Church in Topeka (Seminary of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin). When that school closed, he went east to St. Vincent's seminary at Pittsburgh, PA where he completed his studies in 1875. 

                                   After serving as an assistant at Leavenworth and Topeka, he was given his first parish in Solomon, KS. His mission covered four counties: Dickinson, Saline, Ottawa & Marion. He traveled by horseback to serve those Catholics who had survived many hardships in their attempts to settle the area. Churches were not abundant and sometimes Fr. Hayden would celebrate mass in farm houses. 

                                    In 1880 Fr. Hayden started  a church (ST. BRIDGET'S) in the packing house district of Kansas City. He showed his ability to influence local business men when he convinced saloon keepers to stay closed on Sundays. He and the parishioners were able to keep going even through a devastating flood in 1881. 

                                    Fr. Hayden returned to Assumption Church in 1887. After the death of Fr. James O'Reilly, he became pastor of Assumption parish. Assumption was the only parish in Topeka when Fr. Hayden took over. He was known as a very competent business man and was respected by all  for his basic goodness and honesty. He was successful in removing indebtedness from the parish. He started a Catholic high school in Topeka in 1911 known as Assumption High. The name was changed in 1912 to Topeka Catholic when a new building was opened on Jackson street to the north of the church.  (Continued below)

                                                                                      C. 1914 ? Assumption Church before the fire of 1922 (Arthur Capper postcard). 

                                                                                                                                                                        School is the red building at extreme right

                                 Fr. Hayden had to retire from his post as pastor in 1914. His failing eyesight had reached the point where others could handle the parish better. His sister, Katherine had kept him informed by reading to him and she would continue to be his companion until his death in 1926. The 50th anniversary of his ordination in 1925 was a front page news story.  The Topeka State Journal  noted that the gathering of clergy for this celebration was "the greatest gathering of Catholic divines in the history of the state." Besides Archbishop John Glennon of St. Louis (later Cardinal), the celebration was attended by Bishop Schwertner of Wichita, Bishop Ward of Leavenworth, Bishop Byrne of Galveston, TX, Bishop Tihen of Denver, CO and Bishop Gilfillan of St. Joseph, MO.

                                    The news stories of the day reflected a great respect and genuine love for the man who, in his last years, traveled the streets of Topeka with his faithful dog "Mutt".  The TSJ editorial page commented 8/9/26 "Probably there has never lived, in this city, a man who was so universally respected and loved. In the truest sense he was pastor of his people and to all who knew him he was friend, guide and counselor. "   

                                    Arthur Capper's TOPEKA DAILY CAPITAL said the following in their tribute. "While for more than 50 years Father Hayden labored constantly for his church and its members, he also gave bountifully of his time and money for the betterment of the city. He was a real citizen. How we will miss him." 

SOURCES: TDC, TSJ 8/6 to 8/10/1926. TSJ 5/19/1925.