Welcome to ST. David's Welsh Society of Greater Kansas City

History
The St. David's Welsh Society of Greater Kansas City was founded by Robert Owen in the 1890s (the exact year is uncertain). It was originally known as the Cambrian Benevolent Society.

Mr.Owen and his wife came to the midwest from Wales in the 1880s. Accordingto an interview with him in the Kansas City Star, February 28, 1938,"There was a building boom in Kansas City then. Welshmen who were skilled building mechanics and stone cutters flocked into the middle West."

 Before moving to Kansas City, the Owens first spent five years in Emporia, Kansas. Although Emporia itself was not founded as a Welsh colony, the Welsh people began settling in Lyon County before the civil war. Their descendants makeup a large percentage of the population of the county today.

The Emporia Welsh have contributed much to the musical life of America. The all Kansas Music Competition and festival originally established at Kansas State Teachers College (now Emporia State University) grew out of the old Welsh music festivals and competitive contests known as eisteddfodau. The Kansas State Music Competition is the oldest of its kind in the United States and has served as a pattern for similar contests all over the country.

For Information, call Elaine James, 816-942-2446 or

Judith Brougham 913-236-8818