St. Elizabeth

Parish History

Fifteen Catholic families in the village of Marine organized in 1856 and raised $1,500 to build the first church. The first Mass was offered on Easter Monday 1859 by Fr. Paul Limacher of St. Paul Church in Highland. That original structure was small and soon dilapidated, and the present church — 80 feet long, 38 feet wide, with 25-foot walls and a 110-foot bell tower — was completed under Fr. Henry Eggenstein (1877–1914) and dedicated on the feast of St. Elizabeth of Hungary in 1883 at a cost of $10,000.

Parish Staff & Clergy

The parish is led by Parochial Administrator Rev. John P. Beveridge, who was born September 11, 1946 and ordained May 27, 1972. After 23 years as pastor of Ss. Peter and Paul, Collinsville, he became Pastor Emeritus there in 2022 and was named Parochial Administrator of St. Elizabeth, Marine in 2023. The parish staff also includes Director of Music Marie Hess, Director of Music Nick Worman, and Office Manager Terri Hilmes.

• Parochial Administrator: Rev. John P. Beveridge
• Director of Music: Marie Hess
• Director of Music: Nick Worman
• Office Manager: Terri Hilmes

Patron Saint: St. Elizabeth of Hungary

The parish takes its name from St. Elizabeth of Hungary (1207–1231), a Hungarian princess renowned for her radical charity to the poor. She joined the Third Order of St. Francis and devoted her short life to serving the sick and destitute, famously carrying bread to the poor and seeing it turn to roses in her apron. Canonized in 1235, she is the patron saint of charity, bakers, beggars, brides, the homeless, hospitals, and widows, and her feast is celebrated on November 17 — the very day the present Marine church was dedicated in 1883.

• Feast day: November 17
• Patroness of charity, bakers, beggars, brides, the homeless, hospitals, and widows
• Member of the Third Order of St. Francis

Music & Liturgy

Liturgical music at St. Elizabeth is coordinated by two Directors of Music, Marie Hess and Nick Worman, who lead the congregation at both the Sunday and weekday Masses in the historic 1883 church.

• Director of Music: Marie Hess
• Director of Music: Nick Worman

Parish Life & Altar Society

Beyond the liturgy, the parish's Altar Society serves as a hub of community life, organizing events that bring parishioners and neighbors together. Recent gatherings have included an annual Craft and Vendor Fair held at the parish hall, featuring local small businesses, crafts, food, and lunch for purchase.

• Altar Society — community events and fundraisers
• Craft & Vendor Fair held at the parish hall (150 N. Windmill St., Marine)

Sacraments & Devotions

In addition to weekly Masses, St. Elizabeth celebrates the Sacrament of Penance before Mass or by appointment. Other sacraments — including Baptism, Matrimony, Anointing of the Sick, and First Communion preparation — are coordinated through the parish office at (618) 887-4535.

• Penance (Confession): before Mass or by appointment
• Baptism, Marriage, Anointing of the Sick — contact parish office
• Faith formation takes place in the catechetical center added in the 1990s

Facilities & Architecture

The present church, completed in 1883, measures 80 by 38 feet with 25-foot walls and features a 110-foot bell tower housing three bells. The original 1883 cornerstone is still in place, and the interior includes stained-glass windows installed under Rev. Antoine Wieneke, with one depicting St. Martin of Tours. The high altar carries images of the Sacred Heart and Divine Mercy flanked by statues of St. Elizabeth of Hungary and St. Catherine of Alexandria. A separate parish hall at 150 N. Windmill Street hosts community events, and a catechetical center was added adjacent to the church in the 1990s.

• 1883 church with 110-foot bell tower and three bells
• Stained-glass windows including St. Martin of Tours
• Parish hall at 150 N. Windmill Street
• Catechetical center built in the 1990s

Contact & Location

St. Elizabeth parish is located in the village of Marine in Madison County, Illinois, about 30 highway miles northeast of downtown St. Louis. The mailing address is P.O. Box 457, Marine, IL 62061-0457, and the parish can be reached by phone at (618) 887-4535 or by email at [email protected].

• Address: 120 N. Windmill St., Marine, IL 62061
• Mailing: P.O. Box 457, Marine, IL 62061-0457
• Phone: (618) 887-4535
• Email: [email protected]