About St. Mary · Saint Benedict, Kansas
St. Mary's Church is a small, historic Roman Catholic parish in the unincorporated community of St. Benedict, in northwestern Nemaha County, Kansas (about three miles north of Seneca). Founded in 1859 — eighteen months before Kansas itself became a state — it serves roughly 140 families today, worshipping in a striking 1893 Gothic hall-church whose 172.5-foot bell tower dominates the rural landscape. The parish belongs to the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas and is currently shepherded by Father Reginald Saldanha, with its pastoral offices and shared Mass schedule administered from nearby Sacred Heart, Baileyville. The church is renowned as a 'gallery of art,' and together with its Lourdes-style grotto, cemetery, and school grounds it forms a remarkable pilgrimage site listed on both the Kansas and National Registers of Historic Places.
- Established
- 1859
- Patron
- The Blessed Virgin Mary
- Rector
- Father Reginald Saldanha (Fr. Regie)
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas
Why belong here
St. Mary's offers the rare experience of an intimate rural Catholic community rooted in 165 years of faith and a working Benedictine-Marian heritage. Sunday worship takes place in one of the most artistically decorated rural churches in the country — a National Register landmark set on a hill with a 172.5-foot bell tower — where about 140 families continue the parish's traditions of stewardship, the weekly Wednesday-night rosary at the Lourdes grotto, and the annual summer picnic and auction that fund parish life. Faith formation is shared with neighboring parishes, confession is offered before weekday Mass, and the parish cemetery — with nearly 1,000 gravesites of pioneer founders — is cared for by an active Cemetery Committee.
Mass times at St. Mary
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesdays 8:00–8:30 a.m. at St. Mary's Church (before the 8:30 a.m. Mass)
- Saturdays 6:00–6:45 p.m. at Sacred Heart, Baileyville
- Sundays 8:00–8:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart, Baileyville
- Anytime by appointment
Adoration times
- Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament after the 10:15 a.m. Sunday Mass on the Sundays of Lent, continuing until 3:00 p.m. (parishioners sign up in 30-minute slots by family surname)
Parish Identity & Mission
St. Mary's Parish in St. Benedict, Kansas, is a small but deeply rooted Roman Catholic community in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, founded in 1859 and today numbering about 140 families. Its stated mission is to celebrate and proclaim the love of Jesus Christ through prayer and liturgy, service, and community life, rooted in Catholic faith, devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, and a Benedictine heritage. Visitors are always welcome, and the church is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Founded 1859, eighteen months before Kansas statehood
- Part of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas
- Mission Statement rooted in Catholic faith, Marian devotion, and Benedictine heritage
- Stewardship as a way of life — gifts of time, talent and treasure
- Church open daily 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
A Frontier Catholic Community (1859–1889)
The Wildcat settlement — as it was known before 1883 — sat two miles south of the Oregon Trail on the ridge between Wildcat Creek and Turkey Creek. Catholic settlers from northwestern, central, and southern Germany, along with Irish families to the north, established the parish in 1859, building a 12-by-25-foot frame church the same year and a priest's house in 1860. Father P. Severin Rotter, OSB, became the first priest to reside in Nemaha County in June 1861, and a larger 18-by-35-foot church was built in 1864. A church census in 1888 — the year the village was renamed St. Benedict — recorded the overwhelmingly German-Catholic composition of the parish, and by 1889 more than one hundred families were crowding the old church, prompting the decision to build a magnificent new stone church.
- 1859: Parish established; small 12×25-ft frame church built
- 1860: First priest's house built
- 1861: Father P. Severin Rotter, OSB — first resident priest in Nemaha County
- 1864: Larger 18×35-ft church built
- 1883: Village renamed St. Benedict when post office established
- 1888 census: mostly German-born Catholic families, plus Irish along Turkey Creek
Building the Present Church (1891–1894)
At the Bishop's urging, the parish decided in 1889 to build a grand new stone church rather than enlarge the old one. Father Pirmin Koumley, OSB, supervised the foundation in 1891 at a cost of $3,500. After more than a year of fundraising, Father Herman Mengwasser — a former St. Benedict's College professor and business manager, educated in Europe — took over in 1893. Parishioners hauled limestone from the Schneider and Harley farms three miles northeast of town; the ten four-lobed iron columns along the nave were cast in nearby Seneca. The cornerstone was laid by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Fink on April 30, 1893, the building was under roof by December, and the church was completed on November 13, 1894 and dedicated the following day with three thousand people in attendance.
- 1891: Foundation laid by Father Pirmin Koumley ($3,500)
- April 30, 1893: Cornerstone laid by Bishop Fink
- 1893: Construction supervised by Father Herman Mengwasser
- December 1, 1893: Building under roof
- November 13, 1894: Construction completed
- November 14, 1894: Dedication with 3,000 in attendance
Interior Decoration (1895–1904)
The decade after the church opened saw an extraordinary program of interior decoration that made St. Mary's famous as 'a gallery of art.' Bells were acquired in 1895 from H. Stuckstede of St. Louis. William Bauhaus of Leavenworth designed and built the elaborate main altar in 1899, and E. Hackner of La Crosse, Wisconsin crafted the two side altars and communion railing in 1900. C.F. Satory of Wabasha, Minnesota painted the interior murals in 1901, and Theodore Zukotynski of Chicago was commissioned to paint twelve large canvases depicting the life of the Virgin Mary the same year. Fourteen polychromed Stations of the Cross were added in 1903, and eleven statues of saints made in Germany were installed on the aisle columns in 1904. The six transept stained-glass windows were made by Mayer and Company of Munich, Germany, costing $2,400. In total, $40,000 was spent on construction and another $40,000 on furnishings — an extraordinary sum for a frontier parish.
- 1895: Bells acquired from H. Stuckstede, St. Louis (3,200 / 1,800 / 900 / 500 lbs)
- 1899: Main altar by William Bauhaus of Leavenworth
- 1900: Side altars & communion rail by E. Hackner, La Crosse, WI
- 1901: Murals by C.F. Satory, Wabasha, MN
- 1901: Twelve Marian canvases by Theodore Zukotynski, Chicago
- 1903: Fourteen polychromed Stations of the Cross
- 1904: Eleven German-made saint statues on aisle columns
- Stained glass: Mayer & Co., Munich, Germany
The Lourdes Grotto & the Wartime Rosary
In 1936 Father Cyril Bayer, OSB, working with William Wallace Van Liew of Atchison, built a Lourdes-inspired grotto north of the church as a visible sign of the parish's Marian devotion. After the United States entered World War II in 1941, more than sixty parishioners left the community for military service. Father Cyril organized a nightly rosary at the grotto praying for their safety and for a swift end to the war. When the war ended, parishioners credited the Blessed Mother's intercession with the extraordinary fact that no serviceman from St. Mary's lost his life during the conflict. A weekly Wednesday-night rosary at the grotto continues to this day, more than eighty years later.
- 1936: Grotto built under Father Cyril Bayer, OSB, with William Wallace Van Liew
- Inspired by Our Lady of Lourdes, France
- WWII nightly rosary at the grotto
- No servicemen from St. Mary's lost in WWII — attributed to Mary's intercession
- Weekly rosary at grotto every Wednesday, May–September, praying the Glorious Mysteries
Recognition & Restoration
Because of its historical, cultural, artistic, and religious significance, St. Mary's Church was listed on the Kansas Register of Historic Places in 1977 and on the National Register of Historic Places on December 5, 1980 (NRHP #80001470). A major restoration of the church interior was carried out in 1980–1983. The parish marked its 150th anniversary on September 27, 2009 with Archbishop Naumann presiding at a Mass of Thanksgiving, accompanied by the publication of an anniversary book. A Heritage Trust grant has helped fund window and masonry restoration, and a recent capital campaign has addressed electrical upgrades, flooring, pew refinishing, and interior painting.
- 1977: Kansas Register of Historic Places
- December 5, 1980: National Register of Historic Places (#80001470)
- 1980–1983: Major interior restoration
- 2009: 150th anniversary Mass with Archbishop Naumann
- Heritage Trust grant for window and masonry restoration
- Capital Campaign for electrical, flooring, pew refinishing, interior painting
Parish Life, Picnic & Fundraising
The annual Summer Parish Picnic and Auction is the largest social and fundraising event of the year. Published picnic results from 2015 through 2024 show net incomes ranging from tens of thousands of dollars per year, with one recent picnic netting $44,052.04 and another 'Church Social' netting $50,141. The picnic typically features a chance book, an auction, and parish-wide celebration — a tradition that helps fund the ongoing care of the historic church, grotto, and cemetery.
- Annual Summer Parish Picnic and Auction (late June)
- Chance Book drawings
- Net income range $44,000–$50,000+ in recent years
- Published results for 2015–2025 on the parish website
- Funds support church, grotto, and cemetery maintenance
Parish Councils & Committees
Parish life is organized through several lay committees working with Father Regie. The Parish Council guides overall parish direction; the Finance Council oversees parish finances; the Altar Society cares for the sacred furnishings and sanctuary; and the Cemetery Committee maintains the historic parish cemetery with its nearly 1,000 gravesites.
- Parish Council — Michael Sudbeck, President; members Parry Briggs, Chris Engelken, Andy Schmitz, Jeff Spring, Matt Sudbeck
- Finance Council — Fr. Regie; Deb Bergman, Chairperson; Julia Briggs, Brent Lortscher, Paul Strathman
- Altar Society — Diane Schmitz, President; Jenny Nordhus, VP; Kristina Sudbeck, Secretary; Michelle Spring, Treasurer
- Cemetery Committee — Wayne Schmitz, Chairman; Elmer Ronnebaum, Chris Engelken, Rich Engelken, Mike Scott, David Huerter
Faith Formation & Religious Education
CCD Faith Formation is shared with Sacred Heart in Baileyville. Elementary students (Grades 1–5) and youth (Grades 6–12) meet on Wednesdays from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. In addition, Sister Mary Beth Niehaus, OSB, serves as Pastoral Associate for St. Bede's (Kelly), St. Mary's (St. Benedict), and St. Patrick's (Corning), offering Baptismal Preparation classes, marriage preparation assistance, retreats, Communion Services when Mass is not scheduled, and other outreach programs.
- CCD Faith Formation — Elementary Grades 1–5, Wednesdays 7:00–8:00 p.m.
- Youth Ministry — Grades 6–12, Wednesdays 7:00–8:00 p.m.
- Hosted at Sacred Heart, Baileyville
- Pastoral Associate Sister Mary Beth Niehaus, OSB — shared across three parishes
- Baptismal preparation, marriage preparation, retreats, Communion Services
Sacraments
Sacramental preparation is coordinated through the pastor's office at Baileyville. Baptisms are scheduled with the pastor after Baptismal Preparation classes; couples are asked to notify the pastor at least six months before their wedding. Anointing of the Sick, Holy Communion for the homebound, and pastoral visits are arranged by calling the pastor at 913-530-3618.
- Baptism — contact the pastor; classes for first-time parents
- Marriage — notify the pastor at least 6 months in advance
- Anointing of the Sick and pastoral visits — call 913-530-3618
- Holy Communion for the sick and homebound
- Communion Services led by Pastoral Associate when Mass is not scheduled
The Parish Cemetery
St. Mary's Church Cemetery holds the earthly remains of nearly 1,000 parishioners, including many of the pioneer families who founded and built the parish and its magnificent church. In late 2019 the Cemetery Committee developed a plan to install new fence along the north, south, and east sides, with the historic west entry gate preserved. The old chain-link fence was replaced with powder-coated commercial-grade aluminum (individual panels are removable), four walk-thru gates were added in the south fence, a new main drive was installed across the cemetery, the sidewalk was added along the south side, and the Directory Board was upgraded. Memorial trees have been planted along the south side.
- Nearly 1,000 gravesites
- Burial ground of many parish founders and pioneer families
- 2019–2020 fencing and sidewalk improvement project
- Powder-coated commercial-grade aluminum fence with removable panels
- Four walk-thru gates in the south fence; new main drive
- Historic west entry gate preserved
- Memorial trees planted along the south side
- Donations payable to 'St. Mary's Church Cemetery'
Architecture of the Church
St. Mary's is a Gothic hall-church (Hallenkirche) of rock-faced buff-colored limestone, 162 feet long by 60 feet wide, with a 172.5-foot bell tower whose octagonal copper-sheathed spire is the parish's signature landmark. Inside, ten cast-iron four-lobed columns along the nave support groined vaults 52.5 feet high, while the side aisles rise to 35 feet. A communion rail and main altar fill the apsidal east end, with sacristies flanking the sanctuary. At the west end, a vestibule opens under the choir-and-organ balcony. Four original bells — 3,200, 1,800, 900 and 500 pounds — still hang in the tower, and the 1916 Hinners pipe organ continues in use.
- Gothic hall-church (Hallenkirche)
- 162 ft long × 60 ft wide
- Bell tower rises 172.5 ft above ground level
- Buff-colored limestone with buttresses and corbeled eaves
- Octagonal copper-sheathed spire
- Ten cast-iron four-lobed nave columns (cast in Seneca)
- Groined vaults: 52.5 ft (nave/crossing), 35 ft (side aisles)
- Four original bells (3,200 / 1,800 / 900 / 500 lbs)
- Hinners pipe organ installed 1916
- Mayer & Co. of Munich stained-glass transept windows
Visiting & Contact
St. Mary's welcomes visitors year-round. The church is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The parish shares administration with Sacred Heart in Baileyville; the parish office phone is 785-336-3174 and the pastor's office phone is 785-336-6464. For pastoral emergencies (anointing, sick calls), call Father Regie at 913-530-3618. The mailing address is 9018 Main, St. Benedict, Kansas 66538; the church street address is 9208 Main Street, St. Benedict, Kansas 66538.
- Church open daily 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- Parish phone: 785-336-3174
- Pastor's office: 785-336-6464
- Pastor's emergency cell: 913-530-3618
- Parish email: [email protected]
- Website: http://stmarystbenedict.org/
- Church address: 9208 Main St., St. Benedict, KS 66538
- Mailing: 9018 Main, St. Benedict, KS 66538
- Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father P. Severin Rotter, OSBfrom 1861
First priest to reside in Nemaha County; served the growing Wildcat settlement in its earliest years.
- Father Pirmin Koumley, OSB1891
Supervised construction of the present church's foundation in 1891 (cost $3,500).
- Father Herman Mengwasser, OSB1892–1900
Former St. Benedict's College professor and business manager from Atchison; led construction of the new stone church from 1893 and oversaw the initial phase of its lavish interior decoration. His European training and leadership are credited with the quality of the finished building.
- Father Cyril Bayer, OSB
Built the Lourdes-inspired Grotto north of the church in 1936; organized nightly rosary prayers during WWII; credited with no servicemen from the parish being lost in the war.