About Presentation · Bellwood, Nebraska
Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish (commonly known as 'Marietta,' a nickname taken from its historic parochial school) is a small country Catholic parish in the Platte River Valley of northern Butler County, Nebraska, near the village of Bellwood. Founded in 1874 by Luxembourg immigrants who were deeply devoted to Our Lady of Consolation, the parish serves around 58 families and is part of the Catholic Diocese of Lincoln, in the David City Deanery, with St. Francis Parish (Center) near David City as its mission church. Its 1891 sanctuary — with twelve stained-glass windows of the Apostles and striking pressed-tin walls and ceilings — is still in daily use, and the parish celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2024 with Bishop James Conley presiding at a Mass of Thanksgiving.
- Established
- 1874
- Patron
- The Blessed Virgin Mary (Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary)
- Rector
- Father Adam Sughroue
- Diocese
- Catholic Diocese of Lincoln (David City Deanery)
Why belong here
Presentation is a tight-knit country parish where descendants of the original Luxembourg pioneer families still worship alongside newer arrivals, gathering around a 133-year-old sanctuary that the community itself lovingly restored. It offers the Traditional Latin Mass-friendly rhythms of small-town Catholic life — a clear weekend schedule, regular confession before every Mass, and the deep Marian devotions (Our Lady of Luxembourg/Consolation, and the Presentation feast on November 21) that have shaped the parish since 1874. Active groups include the Altar Society (with its pancake supper, steak fry, and soup supper fundraisers), quilting for Birthright and Catholic Social Services, the parish council, and outreach to local nursing homes, making it easy to plug in and be known by name.
Mass times at Presentation
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:30–3:50 p.m.
- Sunday 7:30–7:50 a.m.
Parish Identity & Luxembourg Heritage
Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish — nicknamed 'Marietta' after its historic parochial school — is a small country parish in the Platte River Valley of northern Butler County, Nebraska, founded in 1874 by Catholic settlers from Luxembourg. The first Mass was celebrated on April 16, 1874, in the home of pioneer couple P.N. and Mary Barbara Meysenburg, who had arrived from Cascade, Iowa, in July 1869. The parish's Marian identity runs deep: its patroness, the Blessed Virgin Mary, is honored under both the title of the Presentation and Our Lady of Luxembourg (Consolatrix Afflictorum, 'Comforter of the Afflicted'). The feast day of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary on November 21 is a particularly meaningful date in parish life — and the date of a 1969 tragedy that claimed three of its beloved School Sisters of St. Francis.
- Founded 1874 by Luxembourg immigrants in the Platte Valley
- Patron: Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary; feast day November 21
- Parish nickname: 'Marietta' (from the historic 'little St. Mary' school)
- Statue of Our Lady of Luxembourg in the church since 1909
The 1891 Church Building
The present church is the parish's third building. The first frame church, dedicated in 1878, was replaced by a larger one dedicated in January 1891 by Bishop Thomas Bonacum — the first bishop of the Diocese of Lincoln. Less than three weeks after its dedication, the church was destroyed by a fire of unknown origin. Because Bishop Bonacum had insured the structure for $4,000, the parish rebuilt on the same foundations, and the current church was dedicated on August 15, 1891. It remains in regular use more than 130 years later.
- Third (current) church dedicated August 15, 1891
- Built on the foundation of the fire-destroyed 1891 church
- Twelve stained-glass windows depicting the twelve Apostles
- Pressed-tin walls and ceilings (approx. $2 million in value)
- Statue of Our Lady of Luxembourg installed in 1909
- Chapel Shrine donated by Mrs. Rosa M. Didier in memory of Peter and Mary Schmit
2021–2022 Renovation
In 2021, parishioners spotted three high altars for sale on a Facebook post from Kansas Catholic goods store Finders Keepers. Then-pastor Father Michael Ventre, who had been dreaming of renovating the small country church since his assignment, placed what he thought was too low a bid — and was the only bidder. The altars, reclaimed from a closed Catholic church in Butler County, Pennsylvania, arrived in Bellwood three and a half weeks later. Working with diocesan consultants Father Jamie Hottovy and designer Char Kriz, Ventre led the parish through a major restoration completed around 2022: the historic pressed tin was uncovered and embellished with gold and copper paint, new pews and flooring were installed, a new altar of sacrifice was designed by Jean Kriz to complement the three reclaimed altars, the confessional was updated, the choir loft received new carpet and lighting, and the statue of Our Lady of Consolation was returned to its central place above the altar, with statues of Sts. Anne and Joachim beside it. Bishop James Conley blessed and dedicated the new high altars in December 2022.
- Three high altars reclaimed from a closed church in Butler County, PA
- New altar of sacrifice designed by Jean Kriz
- Pressed-tin walls and ceilings repainted with gold and copper accents
- New pews, flooring, sound system, and choir-loft lighting
- Restoration of Our Lady of Consolation statue to the center of the church
- Bishop Conley blessed the new high altars in December 2022
150th Anniversary (2024)
On September 14, 2024, Bishop James Conley celebrated a Mass of Thanksgiving opening the parish's sesquicentennial year in the 'picturesque Marietta church,' followed by a picnic-style meal and reception under a large decorative tent. Displays featured 150-year-old Butler County maps, old parish council meeting minutes, photos, and family biographies. The celebration was attended by many direct descendants of the original Luxembourg pioneer families. As a gift from the country of Luxembourg, Kevin Wester (Attaché for Cultural Affairs, Honorary Consulate of Luxembourg in Wisconsin) presented a sterling silver rosary purchased during the May 2024 Oktav of Our Lady of Luxembourg and blessed by Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich, Archbishop of Luxembourg. The rosary was hung on the arm of the statue of Our Lady of Luxembourg — a tangible symbol of the spiritual bond between Presentation Parish and the Grand Duchy, even as the original statue of Our Lady of Luxembourg in Luxembourg City itself marked its 400th jubilee the same year.
- Sesquicentennial Mass celebrated September 14, 2024 by Bishop James Conley
- Sterling silver rosary gifted from Luxembourg and blessed by Cardinal Hollerich
- Rosary hung on the arm of the 1909 Our Lady of Luxembourg statue
- Coincided with the 400th jubilee of the original Our Lady of Luxembourg statue in Luxembourg City
Altar Society (Parish Council of Catholic Women)
The parish's Altar Society — the local chapter of the Lincoln Diocesan Council of Catholic Women (LDCCW) — is the heartbeat of parish life. The group organizes three annual fundraisers (the pancake supper, the steak fry, and soup supper), helps serve funeral dinners for bereaved families, assists with Bingo at nursing homes in David City, and supports Catholic Social Services (CSS), St. Gianna House, and Birthright through quilting and the annual LDCCW diaper drive. The 2015 officers included Co-Presidents Vickie Donoghue and Betty DeWispelare, Co-Vice Presidents Jill Kobza and Bonnie Divis, Secretary Jeanne Zegers, Treasurer Darcy Brezina, Historian Kim Kobza, and Deanery Representative Karla Brezina. Current leadership includes Judy Weston (2024–2026 President) and Valerie Able (2026–2028 President), with spiritual advisors Rev. Thomas Lux and Rev. Thomas McGuire.
- Three annual fundraisers: pancake supper, steak fry, soup supper
- Funeral dinners for parishioners
- Bingo at David City nursing homes
- Quilts donated to Birthright and Catholic Social Services
- Support for St. Gianna House and the LDCCW diaper drive
Parish School Legacy (Marietta School)
From the late nineteenth century until 1970, Presentation Parish ran its own Catholic school — a source of deep local pride. A grade school was built in 1906 and replaced in 1916 by a new 'Marietta' School ('little St. Mary'). A high school was added in 1925 and continued until 1961; from 1928 to 1945, Marietta held the distinction of being the smallest accredited high school in the United States. The school was staffed largely by the School Sisters of St. Francis until November 21, 1969, when three of the sisters were killed in an automobile accident near Brainard. Despite the tragedy, dedicated lay teachers and Sister Mary from Howells helped finish the school year. The elementary school closed in 1970; most of its 83 students transferred to St. Mary School in David City. Today, area Catholic families attend Aquinas High School near David City, which thirteen area parishes — including Presentation/St. Peter — helped to found in 1958.
- Grade school built 1906; replaced 1916 by 'Marietta' School
- High school 1925–1961; smallest accredited U.S. high school 1928–1945
- Taught by the School Sisters of St. Francis
- Three sisters killed in auto accident Nov. 21, 1969
- Elementary school closed 1970; high school helped found Aquinas (David City) in 1958
Clergy & Staff
Presentation Parish is currently served by Father Adam Sughroue, who is also pastor of mission parish St. Francis (Center) near David City and serves as a seminary formator at St. Gregory the Great Seminary in Seward. His predecessor, Father Michael Ventre, led the major 2021–2022 sanctuary renovation and now serves as Chief Administrative Officer of the Diocese of Lincoln. The parish's Altar Society is supported by spiritual advisors Rev. Thomas Lux and Rev. Thomas McGuire.
- Pastor: Rev. Adam Sughroue
- Mission: St. Francis (Center), David City
- Former pastor: Rev. Michael Ventre (now diocesan CAO)
- LDCCW Spiritual Advisors: Rev. Thomas Lux, Rev. Thomas McGuire
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Frederick Uhing (of West Point)1874
Celebrated the first Mass for the Luxembourg community on April 16, 1874, in the home of P.N. and Mary Barbara Meysenburg.
- Father Rutten1971–
Pastor of Presentation Parish since June 1971; ordained June 5, 1958. Listed in parish history.
- Father Michael Ventre
Led the major 2021–2022 renovation of the 1891 sanctuary; now Chief Administrative Officer of the Diocese of Lincoln.
- Father Adam Sughroue2024–present
Current pastor of Presentation Parish and St. Francis (Center); presided at the 150th anniversary celebration; also serves as a seminary formator at St. Gregory the Great Seminary, Seward.