A tour of the Ellis County’s historic Catholic churches will begin at 8 a.m. July 12. The tour will be a full day of visiting the churches, including guided tours at each church and an Ellis County style of Volga-German meal for lunch.

The day will begin at 8 a.m. with a tour of the chapel at Thomas More Prep-Marian Junior/Senior High School. It will be a caravan style tour to allow individuals, families or groups to follow along in their own vehicle.

St. Fidelis Church in Victoria was dedicated as a minor basilica on June 7 and is included on the tour. This is the only minor basilica in Kansas and the newest basilica named in the United States.

Other stops on the tour include St. Catherine Church in Catharine, Holy Cross Church in Pfeifer, St. Joseph Church in Hays, St. Ann in Walker, St. Francis of Assisi Church in Munjor and the chapel at TMP in Hays. The day will conclude with 5 p.m. Mass at the Basilica of St. Fidelis in Victoria.

The tour fee is $10 per person for the guided tours and lunch. Call (785) 628-2624 before July 9 to register. For more information, visit www.germancapitalofkansas.com, www.elliscountyhistoricalmuseum.org or www.haysusa.net.