About Holy Trinity · Hartington, Nebraska
Holy Trinity is a Roman Catholic parish in Hartington, Nebraska, and a founding member of the Holy Spirit Catholic Parishes (HSCP), a family of seven rural parishes across Cedar and Dixon Counties led by a single pastorate under the Archdiocese of Omaha. The parish serves more than 570 households and operates Holy Trinity Elementary School (PreK-6) while helping to support Cedar Catholic Jr.-Sr. High School. Today's Holy Trinity grew from a log church built by pioneer Catholic settlers within months of Hartington's founding in 1883, and the parish counts its resident-pastor anniversary from 1886 and its diocesan incorporation from 1887. It is currently marking over 125 years of continuous Catholic life in Hartington and looks forward to its 150th anniversary in 2036.
- Established
- 1884 (church built); parish incorporated September 10, 1887; first resident pastor 1886
- Patron
- Holy Trinity (the Most Holy Trinity)
- Rector
- Rev. Kevin Vogel (succeeding Rev. Owen W. Korte, who retired in mid-2025 after 44 years of priestly ministry)
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Omaha (incorporated into the Diocese of Omaha on September 10, 1887; Omaha was elevated to an archdiocese in 1945)
Why belong here
Holy Trinity offers the rare combination of a deep pioneer-Catholic heritage (over 125 years of continuous parish life, with a 150th anniversary approaching in 2036) and a still-active, family-sized community of more than 570 households. It sustains a PreK-6 parish school, supports Cedar Catholic Jr.-Sr. High School, and runs perpetual (24/7) Eucharistic Adoration — one of the parish's most distinctive devotions. Newcomers are personally welcomed by a dedicated Welcoming Committee, and a family of ministries (Prayer Shawl, Bereavement, Videographers, Catholic School Volunteers, and the new Holy Trinity Early Learning Center) gives parishioners of every age a concrete way to serve Hartington and the wider Cedar County community.
Mass times at Holy Trinity
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- 30 minutes prior to all weekend Masses (Saturday 6:00 pm Vigil and Sunday 10:30 am)
- 30 minutes prior to all weekday Masses (per the parish-published note: 'Confessions prior to all Weekend Masses' and 30 minutes prior to weekday Masses via the Discover Mass listing)
Adoration times
- Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration without Exposition, 24 hours a day / 7 days a week (someone from the parish is always scheduled before the Blessed Sacrament)
- Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament: First Friday, 9:00 am – 3:30 pm during the school year
- Online adoration sign-up available via the parish's 'We Adore Him' / Adoration Schedule link
About Holy Trinity Parish
Holy Trinity is a Roman Catholic parish in Hartington, Nebraska, and a founding member of Holy Spirit Catholic Parishes (HSCP), a family of seven rural parishes across Cedar and Dixon Counties served by a single pastorate under the Archdiocese of Omaha. The parish serves more than 570 households, educates more than 150 children in its PreK-6 school, and helps to support Cedar Catholic Jr.-Sr. High School, where over 200 of its students attend.
- Patron: The Most Holy Trinity
- Feast Day: Sunday after Pentecost
- Church Blessing (current church): November 5, 1967
- Parish Anniversary: 125 years in 2011, 150 years projected for 2036
- 570+ parish households
History of Holy Trinity
Holy Trinity traces its origins to the fall of 1883, when Catholic pioneers meeting in a Hartington lumber yard decided to build a log church. The first Mass was celebrated by Rev. Fred Uhing in June 1884, and from then until 1886 Mass was offered only about once a month, brought in on horseback or by horse-drawn vehicle from St. Helena and Bow Valley. Rev. Henry Hoheisel became the first resident pastor in 1886, opened the sacramental registers, and was succeeded in February 1887 by Rev. John Kill. The parish was officially incorporated into the Diocese of Omaha on September 10, 1887.
- 1883 — Hartington founded; Catholic pioneers plan a church
- 1884 — Log church (76 ft x 25 ft x 20 ft) completed June 12, 1884; first Mass celebrated by Rev. Fred Uhing of Bow Valley
- 1886 — First resident pastor, Rev. Henry Hoheisel; first baptism, marriage, and burial recorded; first communion class on Pentecost Sunday, June 13, 1886
- 1887 — Rev. John Kill succeeds Fr. Hoheisel; parish incorporated into the Diocese of Omaha (Sept. 10, 1887)
- 1889 — Bishop James O'Connor administers Confirmation in Hartington (Aug. 4, 1889)
- 1900 — Parishioners unanimously vote to build a parish school
- 1901 — Holy Trinity School dedicated January 3, 1901; opened January 9 with 75 pupils; Ursuline sisters as teachers; Fr. Henry Loecker served as assistant pastor and first teacher
- 1903 — A new, larger brick church replaces the original log structure
- 1905 — First high school commencement (June 29, 1905)
- 1967 — Current Holy Trinity church blessed on November 5, 1967
- 1986 — Centennial of the resident pastorate
- 2011 — 125th anniversary celebrated
- 2036 — 150th anniversary projected
Parish Leadership & Staff
Holy Trinity is led by a pastor who serves the entire seven-parish Holy Spirit Catholic Parishes family under the 'Single Pastor Governance Model' outlined by the Archdiocese of Omaha's 2023 Journey of Faith pastoral planning. The parish has its own Stewardship Council and School Board, and is supported by a central HSCP office staff in Hartington.
- Pastor: Rev. Kevin Vogel (succeeding Rev. Owen W. Korte, who retired mid-2025 after 44 years of priestly ministry)
- Associate Pastor: Rev. Will Targy
- Deacon assigned to Holy Trinity: Deacon Kyle Uhing
- Deacon Doug Tunink (St. Jane Frances, Randolph)
- Deacon Dennis Knudsen (St. Peter, Newcastle and St. Joseph, Ponca)
- Family Director of Religious Education: Lisa Harder
- Business Manager (HSCP): Kay Lammers
- Office Manager / Secretary: Janet Creamer
- Office Assistant / Bulletin Editor: Kathie Dresden
- Plant Manager (Holy Trinity): Michael Fischer
- Holy Trinity School Principal: Stacy Uttecht
- Holy Trinity School Administrative Assistant: Jill Kleinschmit
Devotions & Spiritual Life
Beyond Mass and Confession, Holy Trinity fosters a deep devotional life rooted in the Eucharist, prayer, and the communion of saints. The Rosary Grotto on the parish grounds invites outdoor prayer, and the parish joins the wider Holy Spirit Catholic Parishes family for nursing home visits, bereavement ministry, and prayer-shawl outreach to the sick.
- Perpetual Adoration (24/7)
- First Friday Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament (school year)
- Rosary Grotto on parish grounds
- Prayer Shawl Ministry — handmade, blessed shawls for the sick; contact Joyce Gentrup (402-254-3271) or Marce Kollars (402-640-8502)
- Nursing Home & Shut-In Visitation
- Bereavement Ministry (HTH)
- Funeral Ministry (HTH)
Parish School (PreK-6)
Holy Trinity Elementary School is the direct continuation of a Catholic school tradition in Hartington that began on January 9, 1901, when the parish school opened with 75 students and an Ursuline teaching staff. Today the school educates more than 150 children in PreK-6 under the mission: 'Rooted in faith and growing in compassion, Holy Trinity Catholic Elementary strives to form leaders who are disciples of Christ through academic excellence, social growth, and spiritual traditions.'
- Founded 1901; first teachers were Fr. Henry Loecker and Ursuline sisters (Mother Helen, Mother Ida, Mother Michtildes, later Mother Caroline)
- More than 150 students currently enrolled (PreK-6)
- Welcomes all children, parishioners and non-parishioners, Catholic and non-Catholic
- Principal: Stacy Uttecht — 402-254-6496
- Administrative Assistant: Jill Kleinschmit
- Supported by the Holy Trinity School Board (President: Jackie Steffen)
Holy Trinity Early Learning Center & Cedar Catholic High School
In addition to the elementary school, Holy Trinity is opening the Holy Trinity Early Learning Center (planned to open in August 2024) as a faith-based childcare option. For older students, the parish is one of six supporting parishes of Cedar Catholic Jr.-Sr. High School, which serves more than 200 students from across the region.
- Holy Trinity Early Learning Center — faith-based childcare (opening August 2024)
- Cedar Catholic Jr.-Sr. High School — supported by Holy Trinity and five other parishes; over 200 students
- Catholic School Volunteers at the PreK-6 school (HTH)
Religious Education & Faith Formation
Faith formation for children, youth, and adults is coordinated across the Holy Spirit Catholic Parishes family. The Family Director of Religious Education (Lisa Harder) oversees sacramental preparation, and the parish participates in family-wide programs such as HSCP Ignite (prayer and evangelization formation) and the Mentorship Program (lay-led evangelization training).
- Family Director of Religious Education: Lisa Harder
- HSCP Ignite — prayer and evangelization formation (family-wide)
- Mentorship Program — trains lay people in evangelization and accompaniment (family-wide)
- Faith Education for Adults (RCIA-style)
- Annulment Sponsors
Parish Ministries & Outreach
Holy Trinity offers a wide range of ministries, from the parish's signature perpetual adoration to hands-on outreach in Hartington and across Cedar County. The parish also operates a Welcoming Committee specifically for new parishioners and helps support the Knights of Columbus Hall in downtown Hartington for parish events.
- Welcoming Committee (HTH) — contact Lois Lammers (402-841-5473) or the parish office
- Videographers (HTH) — record Mass for nursing homes
- Outreach Ministry — Cedar County Food Pantry, Advent Mitten Tree, Ash Wednesday Soup Supper, emergency funds
- Pro-Life Group / Walking with Moms in Need
- Bereavement Ministry (HTH)
- Prayer Shawl Ministry (HTH)
- Knights of Columbus Hall (downtown Hartington) — event venue; contact Chuck/Bev Feilmeier 402-640-2261
Parish Governance & Leadership Councils
Following the 2023 Journey of Faith pastoral planning, Holy Spirit Catholic Parishes operates under the Single Pastor Governance Model of the Archdiocese of Omaha. The pastor is supported by a Leadership Team (meeting roughly every two weeks), a family-wide Family Pastoral Council with representation from all seven parishes and three schools, and at the local level by a Parish Stewardship Council and a School Board.
- Pastor: Rev. Kevin Vogel (incoming, from ~July 1, 2025)
- Family Pastoral Council (all 7 parishes + 3 schools)
- Stewardship Council (President: Preston Leise)
- School Board (President: Jackie Steffen)
- Parish Trustees
- Single Pastor Governance Model per Archdiocese of Omaha Pastoral Planning Template, Appendix II
Contact & Visiting
The parish office is open Monday through Thursday 8:30 am – 4:30 pm and Friday 8:30 am – 12:00 pm. Newcomers are encouraged to stop by the parish office to formally register, or to download the parish registration form online. The parish itself has no event venue to rent; the Knights of Columbus Hall in downtown Hartington is available for parish functions.
- Mailing address: PO Box 278, Hartington, NE 68739
- Physical address: 406 South Broadway, Hartington, NE 68739
- Phone: 402-254-6559
- Fax: 402-254-6553
- Email: [email protected] (parish) / [email protected] (family of parishes)
- Office hours: Mon–Thu 8:30 am–4:30 pm; Fri 8:30 am–12:00 pm
- Parish registration form available online
- Hall rental: Knights of Columbus Hall, downtown Hartington — 402-640-2261
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Fred Uhingpre-1886
Pastor of Sts. Peter & Paul, Bow Valley; said the first Masses in the new Holy Trinity church in June 1884.
- Rev. Henry Schoofpre-1886
Pastor of St. Helena; came to Hartington to celebrate Mass before the parish had a resident priest.
- Rev. Henry (John) Hoheisel1886 – February 1887
First resident pastor of Holy Trinity; began the sacramental registers in 1886.
- Rev. John Killfrom February 1887
Succeeded Fr. Hoheisel as pastor.
- Rev. Henry Loeckerearly 1900s
Served as assistant pastor and was one of the first teachers of the parish school when it opened in 1901.
- Rev. Owen W. Korterecent pastorate, retired mid-2025
44 years of active priestly ministry; led the Holy Spirit Catholic Parishes family through its 2023 Journey of Faith pastoral planning.
- Rev. Kevin Vogelfrom ~July 1, 2025
Appointed by Archbishop Lucas as the next pastor of Holy Spirit Catholic Parishes.