History of Organization

Thursday, February 21, 2019

Cathedral of the Plains

Charitable Fund, Inc.

Po. Box 281

Victoria, Kansas 67671

The Basilica of St. Fidelis

Victoria, Kansas

In July 1989, a group of members from the St. Fidelis Church, Victoria, Kansas, saw a need to establish a fund to assist with future plans and general upkeep of the building. They realized that with the increased cost and maintenance of an aging structure, coupled with the decline in parish populace and an inflated and depressed economy, it would be imperative, if the church was to be maintained and preserved for future generations. Thus on August 4, 1989, a corporate resolution was filed with the Secretary of State and the St. Fidelis Charitable Fund was legally created under the laws of the State of Kansas.

It was organized as a separate entity for the purpose of creating an endowment fund for the immediate and extended upkeep, support, maintenance, and improvement of the buildings and temporal needs of the church. The foundation is a qualified charity, is tax exempt as a 501 (c) (3) Charitable organization, and has its own governing board of directors.

In recognition of the Cathedral's historical significance, it was added to the National and Kansas Register of Historic Places on May 14, 1971.

Because St. Fidelis Church is most notably known for its architectural and historical significance, as the Cathedral of the Plains, the board voted to officially change the fund's name from St. Fidelis Charitable Fund, Inc. to THE CATHEDRAL OF THE PLAINS CHARITABLE FUND, INC. in January of 2000.

The fund is a permanent fund managed locally and its assets are invested in a diversified portfolio. The fund balance grows from donations, fundraisers, appeal letters, and interest earned on the principal and memorials.