Latimer Lutheran Church Preservation Society

10/26/2026

Just FIVE Windows Left! Help Us Cross the Finish Line!

After four years of fundraising and generous support, we've restored 15 of the 20 original windows in our historic WWII military chapel – THANK YOU!! Our building originated at the Herington Army Airfield base, where Pilsen, KS native Father Emil J. Kapaun got his start as a Military Chaplain. Fr. Kapuan is now up for Sainthood in the Catholic Church.

We’ve been working hard, and our goal is in sight: to complete the final 5 WINDOWS IN 2027!
Here's a wonderful opportunity to DOUBLE your donation!

Monday, November 16, is Emporia Community Foundation MATCH DAY 2026! We are one of 35 funds chosen to participate in Match Day.

Donations of up to $1,000 will be matched 100%! That means a $1,000 gift becomes $2,000 toward preserving our historic chapel! Even a $100, $250, or $500 gift makes a difference.
If you've been considering making a special contribution, now is the perfect time! Every gift, large or small, brings us closer to completing this important restoration project.

You may ask: “Where do I send my donation to?” Send it to the following address, anytime between today and November 16:

Make your donation to “Emporia Community Foundation.” Put in the memo line: “To Latimer Lutheran Church Preservation Society”

Mail the check to: Emporia Community Foundation, 527 Commercial St. , Emporia, KS 66801
OR drop your donation in person to the Emporia Community Foundation before November 16.

Five more windows. One final push. Together, we can finish what we started!

Thank you for your generosity and continued support! ❤️

10/23/2026

Mark your calendars!

In just 15 days, we'll be hosting our annual Veterans Appreciation Sloppy Joe Feed, complete with chips and dessert!

We love and appreciate our Veterans, who have willingly sacrificed so much in service to our nation, protecting the freedoms we enjoy and cherish today.

This year, we are especially honored to welcome Chaplain (Colonel) David M. Johnston of Fort Riley as our guest speaker.

A native of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Chaplain Johnston earned his Master of Divinity from Reformed Theological Seminary in 2005. Answering a calling to serve, he entered the Army to minister to soldiers and their families. Throughout his military career, he has provided spiritual guidance and support to service members facing injuries, lengthy deployments, and the many challenges of military life.
One particularly interesting connection to our chapel's history is that Chaplain Johnston spent two years in Korea, where he ministered in some of the same areas as Father Emil Kapaun, who once served as an auxiliary chaplain in our very own building! During Johnston's time in Korea, a chapel was even renamed in honor of Father Kapaun.

Chaplain Johnston will share his thoughts on the service, sacrifices, and significance of our Veterans and the gratitude we owe them.
Please join us Saturday, November 7!

Sloppy Joe Meal: 5–6 p.m.

Chaplain Johnston's Presentation: 6:15 p.m.

Free-will donations will support the restoration of our final five windows.

We hope to see you there!

10/21/2026

It’s always a pleasure to share the unique history of our building—from its beginnings as a WWII military chapel to its years as Zion Lutheran Church, and today, as a National Historic Site.

Here’s an extraordinary example…

Did you know that Catholic Priest Father Emil Kapaun, a native of Pilsen in neighboring Marion County, served as an auxiliary military chaplain in our building, which began as a WWII military chapel at the Herington Army Air Base, from 1943–1944?

During his time serving the men at the base, he felt compelled that his true priestly duty was with the men of the armed services and therefore called to become a military chaplain. He joined the U.S. Army Chaplain Corps in 1944, serving during the final years of WWII and later in the Korean War.

In November 1950, Fr. Kapaun was captured during the Battle of Unsan after choosing to remain with wounded soldiers rather than escape. As a prisoner of war in North Korea, he became a source of extraordinary courage, compassion, and faith, caring for fellow prisoners despite brutal conditions. He died in captivity in May 1951. Many surviving POWs later credited him with helping save their lives.

His remarkable legacy continued long after his death. In 2013, he received the Medal of Honor posthumously. His remains were identified in Hawaii in 2021 and returned to Kansas. That same year, he received South Korea's Military Order of Merit Taegeuk.

In February 2025, Pope Francis declared Fr. Kapaun Venerable, an important step toward sainthood in the Catholic Church.

We are especially humbled and honored that this extraordinary man once served within the walls of our historic WWII military chapel. His story powerfully reminds us of faith, courage, service, and sacrifice.

10/09/2026

Just a reminder about our upcoming Veterans Day event on November 7.

10/06/2026

Whew! We just finished up our Chili Feed fundraiser, and now we’re moving on to our final two fundraising events of 2026!

Please mark your calendars and plan to join us for both:

*Saturday, November 7 – Veteran’s Day Appreciation Sloppy Joe Meal & Program, featuring guest speaker Chaplain (Colonel) David M. Johnston II, Fort Riley. Veteran or not, all are welcome to join us in honoring the brave men and women who have sacrificed to keep our country safe.

*Saturday, December 12 – A special Christmas program featuring the Hearts4Him Men’s Ensemble. These men are incredibly talented singers—you won’t want to miss this special Christmas program!

We’d love to see you at Latimer Lutheran Church as we close out another wonderful year of preserving this historic former WWII military chapel.

Thank you for continuing to support our mission and our window restoration project!
Save the dates and bring a friend!

10/04/2026

What a wonderful evening at Latimer Lutheran!

Thank you to everyone who joined us Saturday evening for our Chili Feed, Silent Quilt Auction, and a very entertaining performance by cowboy poet Ron Wilson of Manhattan!

Ron had a special surprise for us—he wrote an original poem just for the Latimer Lutheran Church Preservation Society, beautifully capturing the history of our former WWII military chapel and why preserving this special place matters. We were truly honored, and it is a poem we will treasure.

A delicious meal, lots of visiting and laughter, and a wonderful performance made for a memorable evening.

Thank you to Ron, our volunteers, and everyone who came out to support us. Your support helps us continue preserving this piece of history for generations to come!

10/01/2026

Only two days away from our chili feed and fundraiser with cowboy poet Ron Wilson. Hope to see you there!

Come join us next Saturday October 3!

🤠 Meet Our Chili Feed Guest Performer — Cowboy Poet Ron Wilson!

We’re excited to welcome Ron Wilson, Cowboy Poet, to the Latimer Lutheran Church Preservation Society’s Chili Feed on Saturday, October 3!

A Kansas native from the historic Lazy T Ranch near Manhattan, Ron brings the spirit of the American West to life through his original, humorous, family-friendly and patriotic cowboy poetry — performed in full cowboy attire and with plenty of audience participation!

And Ron has quite a résumé! He is:

⭐ An inductee into the Kansas Cowboy Hall of Fame
⭐ The only cowboy poet to present a poem at a Kansas Governor’s inauguration
⭐ Recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Historic Cattle Trails Consortium
⭐ A spokesman for the National Day of the Cowboy
⭐ An Ambassador for the National Multicultural Western Heritage Museum
⭐ Proclaimed Kansas’ “Poet Lariat” by Governor Bill Graves

Come hungry, enjoy a bowl of chili, and stick around for an evening of cowboy humor, storytelling and poetry. This is one you won’t want to miss!

🌶️ Chili Feed begins at 5:00 p.m.

🤠 Ron Wilson performs at 6:30 p.m.

📅 Saturday, October 3

Bring your family and friends — we’ll see you in Latimer!

09/29/2026

Five years ago today, a hero truly came home.

On September 29, 2021, the world watched as Venerable Father Emil Kapaun—U.S. Army chaplain, Medal of Honor recipient, and Korean War POW—was finally laid to rest at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Wichita, Kansas.

After 70 years in an unknown grave, his return brought a powerful sense of closure, peace, and profound faith to thousands across the globe.

Father Kapaun’s legacy has always broken barriers.

Before his heroic deployment to Korea, he served soldiers during WWII at the Herington Army Airfield chapel. That historic building was later moved and became the Zion Lutheran Church in Latimer, Kansas.

Today, the Latimer Lutheran Church Preservation Society walks side-by-side with the Catholic community to keep his memory alive—a beautiful testament to a man who ministered to all, regardless of their faith.

As we mark this 5th anniversary of his interment, we pray for his continued cause for sainthood.

Venerable Emil Kapaun, pray for us. 🙏✨

09/26/2026

Come join us next Saturday October 3!

🤠 Meet Our Chili Feed Guest Performer — Cowboy Poet Ron Wilson!

We’re excited to welcome Ron Wilson, Cowboy Poet, to the Latimer Lutheran Church Preservation Society’s Chili Feed on Saturday, October 3!

A Kansas native from the historic Lazy T Ranch near Manhattan, Ron brings the spirit of the American West to life through his original, humorous, family-friendly and patriotic cowboy poetry — performed in full cowboy attire and with plenty of audience participation!

And Ron has quite a résumé! He is:

⭐ An inductee into the Kansas Cowboy Hall of Fame
⭐ The only cowboy poet to present a poem at a Kansas Governor’s inauguration
⭐ Recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Historic Cattle Trails Consortium
⭐ A spokesman for the National Day of the Cowboy
⭐ An Ambassador for the National Multicultural Western Heritage Museum
⭐ Proclaimed Kansas’ “Poet Lariat” by Governor Bill Graves

Come hungry, enjoy a bowl of chili, and stick around for an evening of cowboy humor, storytelling and poetry. This is one you won’t want to miss!

🌶️ Chili Feed begins at 5:00 p.m.

🤠 Ron Wilson performs at 6:30 p.m.

📅 Saturday, October 3

Bring your family and friends — we’ll see you in Latimer!

09/21/2026

🧵 Calling all quilt lovers! 🧵

Be sure to check out our Silent Auction during the Latimer Lutheran Church Preservation Society Chili Feed on Saturday, October 3!

We’ll have three beautiful handmade quilts and one handmade barn quilt up for bid — each one unique and made with care. ❤️

Come enjoy a bowl of chili, place your bids, and you just might go home with a one-of-a-kind treasure!

See something you love? Don’t let someone else outbid you! 😊

📅 October 3...Chili Feed begins at 5 pm followed by Cowboy Poet, Ron Wilson, our guest performer

📍 Latimer Lutheran Church