St. John Francis Regis (1597-1640) was a Jesuit priest, a scholar and teacher devoted to spreading Catholicism. His desire to serve the most unfortunate prompted him to volunteer in evangelizing the Native tribes of the New World. But his superiors chose to appoint him to serve in the rural areas of southern France. Although John Francis Regis never came to North America, his spirit, zeal, and dedication certainly inspired the many missionaries who did labor here. We take his spirit of service as our model.

In the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, we stand under the patroness of Our Blessed Mother Mary-in the title of the Immaculate Conception. Along with St. Joseph, St. John Francis Regis is a co-patron of our diocese. Bishop Charles H. Helmsing designated the boundaries of our parish in 1964 and Rev. Raymond Jackson was assigned as pastor. Services were held in the “Paint Shop Cathedral” at Loma Vista Shopping Center until the main building was completed in 1966. A new church was dedicated in 1997.