St. Joseph's in Damar nominated for 8 Wonders in Architecture

INMAN – The Kansas Sampler Foundation announced the twenty-four finalists for the 8 Wonders of Kansas Architecture on Friday, April 25, at the Kansas Sampler Center near Inman.  Representatives of the finalists were in attendance.

In alphabetical order, the finalists are:

Brown Mansion , Coffeyville
Chapel of the Veterans, Leavenworth
Chase County Courthouse, Cottonwood Falls
Cooper Barn, Colby
Dyche Hall, Lawrence
Fox Theatre, Hutchinson
Franklin County Courthouse , Ottawa
Fromme-Birney Round Barn, Mullinville
Holy Cross Church , Pfeifer
John Mack Bridge , Wichita
Kansas State Capitol, Topeka
Lebold Mansion , Abilene
Mary Queen of Peace Catholic Church, Ulysses
Masonic Center , Salina
Muchnic Home, Atchison
Ness County Bank, Ness City
Osborne County Courthouse, Osborne
Peter Paul Loewen House, Hillsboro
Saint Joseph Church , Damar
Samson of the Cimarron, Seward County
Seelye Mansion , Abilene
Topeka High School , Topeka
Wichita Carthalite, Wichita
Windsor Hotel, Garden City

Foundation director Marci Penner said, “This is a tremendous group of finalists.  We have everything from a clay brick house to a hyperbolic paraboloid church.  We hope people will travel across the state to see these amazing structures before they vote.”   Public vote will determine the top eight.  People are encouraged to vote online at 8wonders.org, call 620.585.2374 for a ballot, or pick one up at finalists that have an office.  Voting begins April 25 and will end June 15 at midnight.  The top eight will be announced June 30.

The 8 Wonders of Kansas series is a project of the Kansas Sampler Foundation, a non-profit based near Inman.  The Foundation has long used the eight elements of rural culture (architecture, art, commerce, cuisine, customs, geography, history, and people) to help see Kansas with new eyes.  The project is designed to educate the public about the state and to encourage travel.

The series will continue until all eight elements have been featured.  On Kansas Day Governor Sebelius announced the original 8 Wonders of Kansas after a six-month process. 

For more information go to kansassampler.org.  To vote for the 8 Wonders of Kansas in Architecture, click here.   

To read the Hays Daily News article on St. Joseph's and Holy Cross Church in Pfeifer, click here.