This was the date of our birth - the beginning of our parish family. On this date, Bishop John Cody of the Diocese of Kansas City - St. Joseph, asked Father Jerry Mahoney to form a new parish in the Grandview area. Until this time, we had been part of St. Catherine's Parish.

This was an exciting time in our growth. A young, enthusiastic priest and 200 very enthusiastic families formed the nucleus that was to become known as one of he most exciting parishes in the Diocese. Father Mahoney continued in residence at St. Catherine's, we continued to attend Mass, and our children to attend school until such time as our own facilities would be available.

In the years that were to come, we made many moves - as all families do. We changed our places of worship, we changed our priests and their residences and the schools that our children attended changed, too. We had our growing pains, our fun times, our problems, our joys and sorrows and we weathered them all, becoming a very close family. Recently, someone said they had never seen a parish where the people had such ownership of their parish. We are proud of that because it speaks of the love we have for our parish, our priests, and for one another.

We moved into our own church building, located at 148^th and 71 Highway. Our first Mass was held on Christmas Eve. It was a big thrill for us to have a home of our own at last, where we could worship God together as a family. Though it proved to be a temporary facility, it served a great purpose in that we came together as church people, people of God, in such a way that only one who has experienced the beginnings of a parish, a family, and friendships can know that feeling. We grew into a close-knit family that continues even today.

Once again, our place of worship changed. Sunday Mass was held at the Grandview High School Gym, (now Grandview Jr. High), with holyday Masses held at George's Funeral Home.

After a couple of changes in residence for Father Mahoney, we built a permanent residence on Highgrove (now the site of the Fuller Building). On the lower level were the parish office, a chapel for weekday Masses, and our first Parish Hall.

Groundbreaking and construction of our new Church/School/Convent Building (the center section of our current structure). September 1962 brought the first Mass celebrated in our new building, with our school starting the same month -- Grades 2 through 6, tuition -- $25 per child per year.

Parish boundaries were changed -- the Prospect to State Line area was given up to form the new parish of St. Thomas More.

Several attempts were made by the Grandview School district to purchase our building. Those offers were rejected. Our grade school closed and an upgraded School of religion was begun -- one that has developed into a very progressive and well-attended program.

With a very hot summer and no air conditioning, our Masses were held outdoors while the building was renovated to accommodate Mass on the first floor, in what is now our Parish Hall.

Groundbreaking ceremonies were held for our new church building. Our first Mass was celebrated on October 17, 1976 and Bishops Helmsing, Hart and McAuliffe dedicated the new building in March 1977. The present rectory was built soon after.

Our new "all purpose" room (the Gym) was added to the east of the original building. This room has been a real boom to the parish with its use for sports programs, the St. Joseph Table, Chuckwagon Dinners, parties and wedding receptions and other social activities, providing an environment which has further enhanced our feeling of "community".

This was the date of our 25^th Anniversary Celebration. We enjoyed a special Mass and Dinner, a History/Memory Book and many festivities shared with former pastors, priests, parishioners and many friends of Coronation.

A memorable date in our history and cause for a parish wide, weekend-long celebration -- PPFFT -- Proud Past, Fantastic Future Together! After 29 years of hard work, we had retired the parish debt. WE BURNED THE MORTGAGE!

Along with our beloved Pastors, noted earlier, we also remember our former Associate Pastors: Fr. John Tulipana, Fr. Chuck Tobin, Fr. Donald Cleary, Fr. Anthony Pileggi and Fr. Dennis reed. Also, our Deacons: William Weimar, Lou Falcon and Warren McCoy and our Transitory Deacons: Mark Dary and Brother Matthew Bertalott.

Along with the many Religious (whom we still call members of our family) who led us in our journey toward God and joined us through these 30 years, were many dedicated lay men, women and children who call Coronation of Our Lady "home". To those who have given so much, we say, "Thanks a million." To those who may be new and not yet involved, we say, "Come try us, you'll like us."