For the Record

• A tornado hit Greensburg at approximately 9:45 p.m., May 4, 2007.

• The National Weather Service classified the tornado as an F-5, the highest category on its scale.

• The weather service said the tornado had wind estimated at 205 mph, and carved a track 1.7 miles wide and 22 miles long.

• According to Steve Hewitt, city adminstrator of Greensburg, 95 percent of Greensburg was destroyed.

• All the churches in the town were destroyed.

• Areas in or around Macksville, Great Bend, Ellinwood, Claflin, Burdett and Rozel also experienced damage from this or three other tornados on May 4.

• At least 10 people died as a result of the tornados.

• SS. Peter and Paul Church, North Ellinwood, now maintained as an historic site by a heritage association, was also damaged on May 4.

• President George W. Bush visits Greensburg May 9 to view damage and encourage residents.

• Members of the Knights of Columbus canvass town May 9 distributing emergency aid vouchers of $100 to homeowners.

Parish Historical Data

• St. Joseph Parish in Greensburg was established in 1952 shortly after the Most Rev. John B. Franz was installed as the first bishop of Dodge City.

• Father James Murphy was the first pastor.

• Mass was celebrated in the American Legion Hall and then in a room above the Western Auto Store on Main Street.

• A masonry block church was constructed. The first Mass was celebrated on All Saints Day, Nov. 1, 1952.

• Bishop Franz dedicated the church Jan. 11, 1953.

• In 1962, six flying buttresses and a brick veneer were added to the block walls.

• A memorial bell, honoring former parishioners Ruth Bowers and Ted Estlack, was blessed by Bishop Eugene J. Gerber during the parish’s silver jubilee Oct. 16, 1977.

• Seven members of St. Joseph Parish were among 24 people from Greensburg who assisted residents in Haysville after a tornado hit their community May 3, 1999.

• A tornado destroyed St. Joseph Church May 4, 2007.

• Father Gregory Le Blanc, pastor, among the ministers of Greensburg congregations participating in a ecumenical service in the city park May 13, 2007.