Fr. Ambrose Rank (1863-1891)

Father Ambrose Rank passed away August 18, 1891.

Jimmy Rank rode to Atchison with his father on a load of wheat from near Severance, Kan., to enroll at St. Benedict’s in 1876.  Born in Doniphan, Kan., he and his family were later members of St. Benedict’s Parish, Bendena.  Jimmy received the monastic habit and name on March 2, 1879, and completed his priesthood studies, being ordained on August 5, 1888.  Father Ambrose served as Procurator twice, both times as a cleric.  Following ordination, Father Ambrose was assigned to St. Ann’s, Effingham, from 1888-1889, and then pastor at St. Mary’s, St. Benedict, Kan., in 1889, only serving there for five weeks because of illness.  He died at the age of 28, having been a professed monk for 10 years, and priest for three.