By Wayne Kruse
The restoration work that earned Joe Oswalt statewide recognition can still be seen today inside St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 9208 Main Street, St. Benedict. A special guided bus tour on Sunday, June 28, will give participants an opportunity to see that work up close while learning more about the artist whose paintings are currently featured in an exhibition at the Lee Dam Center for Fine Art.
The tour will take place Sunday, June 28. Participants will load at the Lee Dam Center for Fine Art, 201 S. Ninth St., Marysville, and leave by bus at 1:30 p.m. St. Benedict is about a 35-minute drive from Marysville, and the group will return by 4:30 p.m.
Cost is $15 per person. Seating is limited and advance reservations are required. To reserve a spot, call or text 785-859-4260 or email marshallcountyarts@gmail.com. Participants may pay the day of the event.
The guided experience will include bus transportation, historical background and a tour of St. Mary’s Church, one of northeast Kansas’ most significant historic and architectural landmarks.
Built by the area’s early Catholic settlers, St. Mary’s features stained-glass windows, intricate decorative details and artwork that reflect generations of craftsmanship and community pride. The church remains one of the most recognizable and admired religious buildings in the region.
For many visitors, the highlight of the tour will be learning about Oswalt’s restoration work inside the church. His efforts to preserve and restore artistic elements within St. Mary’s earned statewide recognition in the 1980s and helped establish his reputation as one of the region’s leading restoration artists.
Oswalt’s talents extended well beyond restoration work. His paintings, sculptures and commissioned projects can be found in homes, businesses, schools and churches throughout northeast Kansas and beyond. Known for his attention to detail and commitment to preserving artistic heritage, he later became one of three restoration artists recognized and recommended by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
After leaving Marshall County, Oswalt continued restoration work in Texas while maintaining ties to his hometown and encouraging young artists from the region. His legacy continues through both the artwork he created and the historic spaces he helped preserve.
The June 28 tour complements the Joe Oswalt Exhibition currently on display at the Lee Dam Center for Fine Art. The exhibition features paintings spanning his career and provides visitors with a broader understanding of his artistic talent and impact on the region.
The exhibition remains on display through July 26.
The art center is open Sundays from noon to 3 p.m., Mondays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Wednesdays from 4-6 p.m.
For tour reservations, call or text 785-859-4260 or email marshallcountyarts@gmail.com.
