About St. Benedict · Nebraska City, Nebraska
St. Benedict Catholic Church is a historic Catholic parish in Nebraska City, Nebraska, and the oldest continuously active Catholic church in Nebraska. Founded in 1856 and built in 1861 on Kearney Hill overlooking the Missouri River, the brick church is the oldest brick Catholic church in the state and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A bilingual (English/Spanish) parish of the Diocese of Lincoln, today St. Benedict serves a diverse community through weekend and weekday Masses, religious education (CCD), RCIA, the Legion of Mary, Altar Society, and a long tradition of Eucharistic Adoration at nearby CHI St. Mary's Community Hospital Chapel. The parish is one of the two founding parishes of Lourdes Central Catholic School, Nebraska City's Catholic preschool–12 school.
- Established
- 1856
- Patron
- St. Benedict of Nursia
- Rector
- Rev. Douglas Daro (per the Lincoln Diocese directory; a 2026 clergy appointment names Rev. Dominic Winter as incoming pastor of St. Benedict)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Lincoln
Why belong here
St. Benedict's welcomes practicing Catholics, English- and Spanish-speaking families, and seekers into a parish with deep roots and a present-day bilingual life. Weekenders have three Sunday options including a Spanish Mass, daily Mass during the school year feeds the Lourdes school community, and Adoration at the nearby CHI St. Mary's Hospital Chapel is available all day, Monday through Thursday. Active CCD, RCIA, Legion of Mary, Knights of Columbus, Catholic Daughters, and Altar Society ministries make it easy to plug in, and the parish sits at the heart of Lourdes Central Catholic — the regional Catholic school founded here in 1861.
Mass times at St. Benedict
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- 30 minutes before each weekend Mass
- Saturday: 4:30 PM
- Sunday: 8:30 AM and 11:30 AM
- Or by appointment
Adoration times
- Monday 6:00 AM through Thursday 11:00 PM at CHI St. Mary's Community Hospital Chapel (per parish bulletin and diocese listing)
- Adoration at the hospital chapel any hour of the day — all are invited to take an hour of prayer each week
Parish History
St. Benedict's parish was organized in November 1856, when Father John Cavanaugh rode on horseback from Omaha to celebrate the first Masses in the homes of Joseph Sand, Sr. and Mrs. Mary Halpin, and in a meeting hall near the Burlington railroad yards. By 1859, Father Francis Cannon had only $3.50 to build a makeshift altar in a storeroom. Father Philip Vogg, O.S.B., sent from Atchison, Kansas, became the first resident pastor in 1860 and began construction of the brick church. The building was completed in 1861 under Father Emmanuel Hartig, O.S.B., a Bohemian-born missionary who led the parish for 40 years across two stints (1861–74 and 1881–1908) and became legendary for founding six Catholic churches across southeastern Nebraska and northwestern Missouri. The Benedictines staffed St. Benedict's for 50 years; the Fathers of the Precious Blood took over in 1910 and remained for 71 years before diocesan priests assumed the pastorate in 1981.
- 1856 — parish founded; Father John Cavanaugh's first visit
- 1860 — cornerstone blessed by Bishop James O'Gorman
- 1861 — brick church completed under Father Emmanuel Hartig, O.S.B.
- 1874 — St. Mary's parish carved out; St. Benedict's becomes the German-speaking parish
- 1910 — Fathers of the Precious Blood take charge
- 1948 — walls reinforced after spreading discovered; largely original brick reused
- 1981 — diocesan priests assume the pastorate
- 1983 — added to the National Register of Historic Places
The Church Building
Perched on Kearney Hill — one of the highest points in Nebraska City — St. Benedict's is a simple brick vernacular Romanesque structure featuring buttresses and an entry tower, designed by (or with the involvement of) James Darley and built by August Gerhardt in 1861. The building measures 87 by 34 feet, with a gabled roof and a central belltower approximately 50 feet high that houses an iron bell. The exterior brick walls were dismantled, reinforced, and rebuilt using primarily the original brick after spreading was discovered in 1948. The building is on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP #83001100), recognized as the oldest brick Catholic church in Nebraska and significant for its long association with Father Hartig.
- Architect/Builder: James Darley / August Gerhardt
- Built 1861; total cost approximately $4,000
- Locally manufactured brick
- Belltower ~50 ft; building 87 × 34 ft
Faith Formation: CCD, RCIA & Lourdes School
St. Benedict's parish is one of the nine founding parishes of Lourdes Central Catholic School (preschool–12), the regional Catholic school located at 412 Second Avenue, Nebraska City — a 140+ year tradition of Catholic education that traces directly back to the parochial school St. Benedict's opened with the Benedictine Sisters in 1861. Parish CCD (Confraternity of Christian Doctrine) meets at 5:30 PM for grades 1–6 and at 7:00 PM for grades 7–12. Confirmation preparation (typically received in 5th–7th grade) requires the '92 Questions,' a patron-saint report, and 10 hours of community service. Adult faith formation is offered through the RCIA process, with sessions on Thursdays at 6:30 PM at Lourdes.
- CCD Grades 1–6: Wednesdays 5:30 PM at St. Benedict's
- CCD Grades 7–12: Wednesdays 7:00 PM
- RCIA (Adults): Thursdays 6:30 PM at Lourdes Central Catholic
- Confirmation prep: 5th–7th grade; classes at Lourdes or in CCD
- Lourdes Central Catholic School — founded 1861 as St. Benedict's School
Parish Ministries & Groups
A wide range of lay and spiritual organizations bring the parish to life. The Legion of Mary meets each Wednesday after 8 AM Mass. The Knights of Columbus council meets locally and hosts a memorial Mass for departed Brother Knights as part of its 75th anniversary celebrations. Catholic Daughters of America meet on the first Tuesday of the month. The parish Altar Society coordinates funeral dinners, care of the altar, parish events such as World Marriage Day, the Advent Angel Tree (parishioners purchasing Christmas gifts for neighbors in need), and community-building outings that bring Spanish- and English-speaking members together. First Saturday Devotions are offered in Spanish at St. Benedict's from 2–3 PM on the first Saturday of the month.
- Legion of Mary — Wednesdays after 8 AM Mass
- Knights of Columbus
- Catholic Daughters of America
- Altar Society (funeral dinners, Advent Angel Tree, parish events)
- J3 Men's Group (Sundays 7 PM, at St. Mary's)
- First Saturday Devotions (Spanish) — 2–3 PM at St. Benedict's
- Father/Son Program 'In His Image' for boys 10–14
- Gift of Grain program via Gavillon Grain
Sacraments
The parish office coordinates preparation for all seven sacraments. Infants and children are baptized after a formation process; older children and adults enter through the RCIA. Confirmation is typically received in 5th through 7th grade, with preparation taking place either at Lourdes Central Catholic or in CCD for public-school students. Couples should call the parish office to begin marriage preparation, and the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick can be arranged by contacting the parish — in an emergency, callers may also reach St. Mary's Church (402-873-3024) or Lourdes School (402-873-6154).
- Baptism — call the parish office
- Confirmation — 5th–7th grade; prep at Lourdes or CCD
- Eucharist / First Communion
- RCIA — adults and older children
- Matrimony — call the parish office
- Anointing of the Sick — call the parish office
Pastor & Clergy History
St. Benedict's has been served by three very different streams of priests: missionary diocesan priests in the parish's first years, Benedictine Fathers (Osb.) for 50 years beginning in 1860, the Fathers of the Precious Blood from 1910 to 1981, and diocesan priests from 1981 onward. Among those who shaped the parish, Father Emmanuel Hartig, O.S.B., stands out — a Bohemian-born monk who served 40 years over two stints (1861–74 and 1881–1908), traveling on horseback and laying the foundations of Catholicism across southeastern Nebraska and northwestern Missouri. Rev. Douglas Daro is listed as the current pastor on the Diocese of Lincoln directory; a 2026 diocesan clergy appointment names Rev. Dominic Winter as the incoming pastor, with assignments also to Lourdes Central Catholic High School and to Spanish Ministry in the Diocese of Lincoln.
- Father John Cavanaugh — first visitor, 1856
- Father Francis Cannon — storeroom altar, 1859
- Father Philip Vogg, O.S.B. — first resident pastor, 1860
- Father Emmanuel Hartig, O.S.B. — 40-year pastor, 1861–1908
- Fathers of the Precious Blood — 1910–1981
- Diocesan priests — 1981–present
Visiting, Contact & Directions
St. Benedict Catholic Church is located at 411 5th Rue, Nebraska City, NE 68410, on Kearney Hill — one of the highest points in the city. The parish office can be reached at (402) 873-3047 or by email at [email protected]. The official website (stbens.org) hosts the weekly bulletin, parish calendar, and current Mass and Adoration schedules. For sacramental emergencies, the bulletin also lists St. Mary's Church (402-873-3024) and Lourdes School (402-873-6154) as alternate contacts.
- Address: 411 5th Rue, Nebraska City, NE 68410
- Phone: (402) 873-3047
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: http://www.stbens.org/
- Diocese: Diocese of Lincoln (Plattsmouth Deanery)
- Emergency alternate: St. Mary's — (402) 873-3024; Lourdes School — (402) 873-6154
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father John Cavanaugh1856
Rode on horseback from Omaha to found the parish; celebrated the first Masses in private homes.
- Father Francis Cannon1859
Built a makeshift altar in a storeroom with only $3.50.
- Father Philip Vogg, O.S.B.1860–1861
First resident pastor; sent from Atchison, Kansas; began construction of the brick church.
- Father Emmanuel Hartig, O.S.B.1861–1874 and 1881–1908
Native Bohemian Benedictine; legendary missionary who served 40 years, founded six churches, and established several parishes across southeastern Nebraska and northwestern Missouri. Completed the 1861 church building.
- Fathers of the Precious Blood1910–1981
Religious order that staffed the parish for 71 years after the Benedictines.
- Diocesan priests1981–
Have staffed the parish since the Precious Blood Fathers withdrew.
- Rev. Douglas Daro
Listed as current pastor on the Diocese of Lincoln parish directory page.
- Rev. Dominic Winter2026–
Announced in 2026 Clergy Appointments as incoming pastor, also assigned as teacher at Lourdes Central Catholic High School and to Spanish Ministry in the Diocese.