About St. John the Baptist · Hanover, Kansas
St. John the Baptist Parish is a historic Roman Catholic parish in the small community of Hanover, Kansas, in Washington County. It is the oldest Catholic church in the Diocese of Salina, founded in 1870 when missionary Father Joseph Remmele gathered eight Catholic families. Today the parish is part of the Catholic Community of Washington County, sharing clergy and ministry with Sacred Heart in Greenleaf and St. Augustine in Washington, and is served by pastor Fr. David Metz and Deacon Wayne Talbot. The parish is best known for its striking limestone church built by Father John H. Pichler and dedicated in 1880.
- Established
- 1870
- Patron
- St. John the Baptist
- Rector
- Fr. David Metz
- Diocese
- Diocese of Salina
Why belong here
St. John the Baptist is the spiritual heart of a tight-knit rural Catholic community in northern Kansas, where three parishes — Hanover, Greenleaf, and Washington — share clergy, staff, bulletins, and ministry as the Catholic Community of Washington County. Parishioners are drawn to its historic 1880 limestone church, its enduring parish school (the second-oldest parochial school in the present Diocese of Salina), active Altar Society, Parish and Finance Councils, Knights of Columbus council, and youth programs such as Totus Tuus. With daily and Sunday Masses, regular Confession before Mass, and a pastor and deacon who shepherd all three parishes together, it offers a stable, prayerful Catholic home rooted in 150 years of faith.
Mass times at St. John the Baptist
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- 30 minutes before each Mass (or by appointment)
- 15 minutes before Mass (per the Diocese of Salina listing)
Welcome to St. John the Baptist Parish
St. John the Baptist is a historic Catholic parish serving Hanover, Kansas, in the heart of Washington County. The parish is part of the Catholic Community of Washington County, a three-parish cluster that also includes Sacred Heart in Greenleaf and St. Augustine in Washington. The community shares its pastor (Fr. David Metz), deacon (Deacon Wayne Talbot), staff, bulletins, and website.
Parish History
Founded in 1870 by missionary priest Father Joseph Remmele, St. John the Baptist is the oldest Catholic church in the Diocese of Salina. The first frame church (20 by 40 feet) was built in 1870 and enlarged in 1876. The present limestone church was begun under Father John H. Pichler in 1878 and dedicated by Bishop Louis M. Fink of Leavenworth on October 4, 1880. Monsignor William Schellberg's 45-year pastorate (1890–1935) shaped much of what worshippers see today, from the altars and Stations of the Cross to the art-glass windows and pipe organ.
- 1869 — Father Remmele celebrates the first Mass in Washington, Clay, or Cloud counties
- 1870 — First church built; congregation reaches 20+ families
- 1874 — Father Albert Weikmann becomes first resident pastor
- 1876 — Father John H. Pichler arrives; parish school opens
- 1880 — Limestone church dedicated before 700 people
- 1883 — Transepts added
- 1884 — Limestone rectory built; 5-acre cemetery established
- 1890–1935 — Monsignor William Schellberg serves 45 years
- 1931 — Present school building completed
- 1939 — Present rectory built under Monsignor Henry Gesenhues
- 1940 — Grotto of the Blessed Virgin constructed
- 1947 — Electronic organ installed; tower clock dedicated as WWII memorial
Catholic Community of Washington County
St. John the Baptist (Hanover), Sacred Heart (Greenleaf), and St. Augustine (Washington) form one pastoral family. They share a pastor, deacon, staff, weekly bulletin, website, and joint activities. The website lists a single schedule covering all three parishes, including Mass at St. Augustine on Sunday at 8:30 am and at Sacred Heart on Saturday at 4:30 pm.
- St. John the Baptist — Hanover (this parish)
- Sacred Heart — Greenleaf
- St. Augustine — Washington
Faith Formation & School
Catholic education has been central to St. John's since Father Pichler opened the parish school in 1876 — only the second parochial school opened within the limits of the present Diocese of Salina. The current school building dates to 1931 (built by Monsignor Schellberg) and was expanded in 1967 to add classrooms, a gymnasium/multi-purpose hall, kitchen, and dressing rooms. Sisters of St. Benedict of Atchison taught at the school for much of its history.
- St. John's Catholic School — parish school
- School Council — meets 4th Wednesday at 6:30 pm
- Totus Tuus — summer youth program hosted in Hanover
Parish Life & Organizations
Lay leadership is organized through an active Parish Council, Finance Council, Altar Society, School Council, and Knights of Columbus council. Together they shepherd the temporal and spiritual life of the parish, with meetings scheduled on the 1st and 4th Tuesdays of each month.
- Parish Council (1st Tuesday @ 7:15 pm) — Chair John Wollenberg
- Finance Council (1st Tuesday @ 6:30 pm)
- Altar Society — President Denise Bruna
- Knights of Columbus — Grand Knight Matt Jandera
- School Council (4th Wednesday @ 6:30 pm)
Sacraments & Devotions
The parish offers the full sacramental life of the Church. Confessions are heard 30 minutes before every Mass or by appointment. Mass Intentions may be requested through the parish office (suggested stipend $10; checks payable to 'Mass Account').
- Confession — 30 minutes before each Mass or by appointment
- Mass Intentions — $10 suggested stipend
- Baptism, Marriage, Anointing of the Sick — contact the parish
St. John's Cemetery
St. John's Cemetery occupies a five-acre tract northeast of Hanover, acquired in 1884 by Father Pichler. Monsignor William Schellberg expanded it by three acres, planted the great cedar trees that line it, and erected the outdoor altar and crucifixion group. A final additional acre was added during Monsignor Gesenhues's pastorate.
- Established 1884 by Father John H. Pichler
- Three additional acres added under Monsignor Schellberg
- Outdoor altar and crucifixion group
- Cedar trees planted by Monsignor Schellberg
Visit, Contact & Directions
Parishioners and visitors are welcome at 114 South Church Street in Hanover. The mailing address is PO Box 395, Hanover, KS 66945. From Hwy. 36, the parish directs visitors to go north 4 miles on Rd. 148. Donations may be made through the parish website, washcountycc.net.
- Address — 114 S Church St., Hanover, KS 66945
- Mailing — PO Box 395
- Phone — 785-337-2289
- Website — http://washcountycc.net
- Directions — From Hwy. 36, north 4 miles on Rd. 148
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Joseph Remmele1869 (missionary visits)
First Catholic missionary to Hanover, based at St. Mary's Indian Mission; celebrated the first known Mass in Washington, Clay, or Cloud counties.
- Father Sweitberg de Martean, OSB1869–1870s
Benedictine priest traveling from Seneca who built the first small frame church in 1870.
- Father Albert M. Weikmann1874–1876
First resident pastor; also served 12 surrounding missions by horseback.
- Father John H. Pichler1876–1887
Built the limestone church (dedicated 1880), transepts (1883), limestone rectory (1884), and a parochial school. Acquired the cemetery land in 1884.
- Father Nicholas Nensius1887–
Succeeded Father Pichler; assisted by Father F. Havelka (missions of Lanham and Morrowville).
- Rt. Rev. Monsignor William Schellberg1890–1935
45-year pastorate; decorated the church interior, installed altars, windows, Stations, pipe organ and pews; built present school (1931); planted cemetery cedars.
- Father Joseph OSB (of Atchison)after 1935
Substitute pastor until August 25, 1925 (per the parish history).
- Father Charles Menig1925–1936
Succeeded the substitute pastor in 1925; transferred to Angelus, Kansas in July 1936.
- Monsignor Henry J. Gesenhues1936–1962
Built the present rectory (1939), the Grotto of the Blessed Virgin, installed the WWII memorial tower clock, new electronic organ, and the present convent.
- Father HughesMay 1962 – September 1967
Renovated and enlarged the school ($175,000); inaugurated lay-moderated high school religion classes following Vatican II.
- Father William Killianinstalled 1967
Listed as 'the present pastor' in the parish's centennial history.
- Fr. Joseph Kieffer2016–2023
Pastor of the three linked Washington County parishes; transferred in 2023 to Concordia-area parishes.
- Fr. David Metz2023–present
Current pastor of St. John the Baptist (Hanover), Sacred Heart (Greenleaf), and St. Augustine (Washington).