Old St. Patrick 1880’s
Original construction began on Old St. Patrick in May 1875 and completed in 1881. The rectory to the south was built in 1878. By 1880 there were over 400 families, with about 2000 individuals belonging to the parish. Old St. Patrick has been a part of Kansas City history since 1868, being the oldest Catholic church building in the city. Detailed information about the history of the church is available HERE.
Old St. Patrick Oratory 2006
The Institute of Christ the King began renovation on the church in 2006. Due to stylistic alterations in the late 1960s, an extensive renovation in harmony with the classical revival style of the church was required and completed in 2008. Bishop Finn solemnly consecrated the church on October 25th 2008.
Kansas City Public Library 1897
The public library in Kansas City located at Ninth and Locust opened in 1897. It was designed by architect Charles Smith and completed at a cost of $200,000. This location would house the Kansas City Public Library and the Kansas City Board of Education until 1960.
An expansion to the north for the library began in 1916 and was completed in 1918, doubling the floor space for another cost of $200,000. The Domphan Block Apartments located on the corner of Eighth and Locust were demolished for the expansion.
The Library was home to the first Art Gallery of William Rockwell Nelson in 1901. It was known as the Western Gallery of Art. The Gallery remained until the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art was completed in 1933.
The library included a grand rotunda with a fireplace, offices and designated reading rooms, including a children’s reading room which was the first of its kind in the nation.
The Library and the School Board moved to new locations in 1960 and the U.S. Trade Schools Inc. moved into the building. The first floor was designed as a diesel transmission shop and elevators designed for cars were installed. Many of the auxiliary rooms were converted into classrooms.
In the mid-1980s the building was bought by Ozark National Life Insurance Company. The most recent building owner was VanTrust Real Estate Company, with Ozark Insurance Company leasing office space.
The Old Public Library Building with its architectural design and historical transformations make it a remarkable piece of Kansas City’s heritage. The building is recognized as a Kansas City Landmark and was entered in the National Register of Historic Places in 1977. There was a $5.1 million restoration in 1991.
Although the building was constructed in the 1900’s, it has been well maintained through the years. It has always been occupied - never experiencing a period of abandonment. It has been kept up to code for the various business tenants. As shown in the pictures, the mechanical equipment is up to date and in good condition. The roof was replaced in 2015, the windows replaced in 2019, and the boiler replaced in 2020.