| United Methodist (active) | Christian (closed) | Baptist (closed) |
| Catholic (active) |
| Beattie Union (City Cemetery) | St. Patrick's Catholic Cemetery |
On April 15, 1876, Rev. and Mrs. A. J. Coe organized the Methodist Church in Beattie. The leaders in this Christian movement were Cyrus Edmonson at Cedar Grove School; A. Curtis King at Farrar School; Martin Life at Life School and T. C. Byrum at Beattie School.
Among the first officers were Martin Life, J. J. Sheldon, R. J. Shields, Horatio Farrar, Mary Sheldon, Harry Farrar and William Spiller.
A frame church building was erected in 1881 costing $1,400. Prior to this time, church was held in the homes and schoolhouses. The first pastor was A. J. Coe followed by J. H. Lord, M. Belknap, F. F. Otto, and then Rev. D. J. Crooks, the grandfather of Charles Fink. Many others have followed.
The present parsonage was built in 1923 and the church remodeled in 1929. The Farrar family as well as, Durkee, Harness, Warner, Bell, Jones, Brooks, Tacker and Smith families were leaders in the church.
The Woman's Society of Christian Service (W.S.C.S.) formerly known as The Ladies Aid Society, has been very active all through the years. The Ephworth League of young people was very active--just as the Methodist Youth Fellowship is today.
The church was enlarged and made modern in 1906. We were merged with the United Brethren Church in 1968 and our name was changed to the United Methodist Church.
About 1908, a few persons gathered in the McCoy Hall and organized the Christian Church. Some of the members families of Frank Moore, William Whitehead, Charles Harry, James Lord and Ingalsbee.
They held meetings in the G.A.R. Hall until a church was built. The church was located on the property where the Masonic Hill is now located -- in fact the Masonic Hall is the remodeled church. Mrs. J. Lord served as custodian of the church. Some of the ministers serving the church were Rev. Boyer, and Rev. J. Myers. They held their baptismal services in the Hawk pasture, west of town on the north side of the red wagon bridge where the creek was rather deep.
An organization of the Baptist Church was perfected in 1874 by Rev. J. C. Newton with six members. Services were held in the Methodist Church until they built their own building in the east part of the town. Part of the church still stands as it was remodeled into a residence, which is now owned by Lee Roy Jones. In 1883, the membership numbered sixteen. The A. D. Stosz family was very active members.
The following history was written for the Church's centennial in 1979:
In the mid 1800's with many countries in Europe involved in revolutions, famine, and tyranny, notably the Germans and the Irish, people began to look to the New World for their future hope. Following the signing of the Kansas-Nebraska Act by President Pierce, many of these immigrants, along with Americans from the Eastern States, began to travel West seeking fortune and opportunity. Under the Right of Pre-emption, a person could file for government land and if he improved it and lived on it for six months, it could be purchased from the government for $1.25 an acre. This provided the incentive and the opportunity for the first settlers.
It was around the year 1858 that the first inhabitants of Marshall County arrived and many of these early pioneers were of the Catholic faith. The settlement around Irish Creek, near where Frankfort is now located, was mainly Catholic, and the same was true of the people living around St. Bridget. Historians agree that the first Mass was celebrated in May of 1858 in Marshall County in St. Bridget, at the home of John Coughlin.
As the Catholic population of Marshall County increased, so did the need for establishing new parishes. In 1879, Saint Malachy's Church in Beattie was established. Prior to the formation of the Beattie parish, Catholic families traveled to St. Bridget Church, approximately 18 miles distant, or to St. Joseph's Church in Irish Creek, about 22 miles away. Many stories persist about families making these long journeys and upsetting their buggies and wagons in the hills around St. Bridget.
St. Malachy's first families were the following: Edward Cain; Richard Cosgrove; Dan R. Cottrell; Pat Finnigin; James Fitzgerald; J. Gardner; 0. Handley; Gerard Koch; Thomas Koenig; John Kraemer; James McDonald; Peter McMahon; Thomas McMahon; Charles Mulhern; John O'Neil; Pat O'Neil; Nicholas Orr; Peter Pitsch; Leonard Rueger, Sr.; Pat Smith; and Mrs. Abraham Wuester.
Fr. Wm. Fitzgerald, the brother of James Fitzgerald who had settled in Beattie, used to travel by horseback from Irish Creek to Beattie, to celebrate the Mass. Before the Beattie Church was built, Fr. Fitzgerald offered Mass in private homes, especially his brother's, and later as the congregation grew, the Mass was celebrated at the old stone schoolhouse.But it was the Fitzgerald home in Beattie that became unofficially our first Church, rectory, and hotel for the traveling clergy.
When Mass was celebrated at the old school house, it was John Fitzgerald's job to haul the wooden crate, containing the altar and other liturgical supplies, up to the school house and set up for the Mass.
In 1879, a 10 acre tract of land, north of Beattie, was purchased from William Dougherty for use as a parish cemetery and was named after St. Patrick.
The construction of the first church at Beattie began in 1880 under the guidance of Father Fitzgerald, who was to become St. Malachy's first pastor. The lots on which the church was built were donated by Mr. and Mrs. James Fitzgerald. The building cost approximately $3,000, a substantial amount of money for a budding parish and for the times. The collection of that amount was a rather difficult task, but with occasional collections quite a substantial amount of it was soon obtained and arrangements were made to hold a Church Fair to obtain the balance. Unfortunately, before this Fair was held, Fr. Fitzgerald took sick and died on November 29, 1881. Father Bernard Hudson completed the construction of the church and was appointed pastor of the Beattie parish for a short time thereafter.
In 1882, Father J. Daly succeeded Fr. Hudson and remained as pastor for about a year. Even though the church had been built, a resident pastor was not forthcoming. The parish remained a mission parish until late 1907.
In 1883, St. Malachy's was a mission parish attached to Marysville and Father M.A. Meile was placed in charge of the congregation. Father Meile was a man of rare and exceptional qualities who could command respect in any community. It was at this time in our parish development that many German Catholic families were settling in and around Beattie and so on alternate Sundays Father Meile would preach in German and then the next Sunday in English. This practice was maintained for quite a few years until nearly all that were born and educated in Germany had passed away. Father Meile's health was not very good and in September of 1885, he resigned as pastor and was replaced by Father John Hartman who remained in this position for about one year.
From 1886 to 1895, Beattie was under the pastorate of Fr. M.J. Schmickler, who came to Beattie twice a month from Marysville. He was a highly educated man, a rigid disciplinarian, and an excellent speaker. When a church bell was needed, Fr. Schmickler took to the pulpit and gave such a moving sermon to his fellow Germans that he received much more than he needed to purchase a bell. The bell he brought to Beattie was of exceptional quality and tone and carrying ability. It was later transferred to the new church and can still be heard today on Sundays and special occasions.
In 1895, Beattie was attached as a mission parish to Saint Michael's Church in Axtell under Father F.S. Hawelka. He was Beattie's pastor until January of 1898 when for a short time Beattie was transferred to St. Bridget Church and Father P.R. O'Sullivan. Father O'Sullivan was a good man who loved to hunt and always kept a bunch of dogs. On those special occasions when the Bishop visited the parish, he had a hard time keeping his dogs hidden from the visiting Bishop. Father usually had them out of the Bishop's sight, but one time they got loose and were lounging around the porch of the parish house. Father O'Sullivan tried to chase them away but they always came back. Father mentioned to the Bishop that he wished the neighbors would keep their dogs at home; it was then that the Bishop said that the dogs acted as though they were at home.
From 1898 to 1903 the parish was once again attached to Axtell with Father Maurice Burke as pastor. Father Burke also delivered his sermons in both English and German and was well respected by the entire community of Beattie.
In 1903, Father Francis Taton was appointed pastor of St. Malachy's and in August of that year began the construction of the parish house. Upon its completion in 1907, Beattie was given its first resident pastor, Father M.J. Galvin. He began his duties as pastor on the 12th of October, 1907 and ever since that time Beattie has had a resident pastor.
On August 4, 1910, Father Galvin returned to Ireland and was replaced by Father James J. Ryan. Throughout Father Ryan's tenure at Beattie, he was plagued with very poor health. It was Fr. Ryan's ambition to build a school for the parish. He was offered a $2,000 donation if a school could be established but because of contrary parish opinion, he abandoned his dream of starting a grade school. His poor health forced him to resign his position of pastor in 1914.
Father Hugh McDevit replaced Father Ryan. By this time, the original church was too small to contain the ever expanding parish. Fr. McDevit realized the need for a new church and also shared Fr. Ryan's ambition in establishing a parish school, but like his predecessor he was unable to convince the parish of the urgency to build either a new church or a parish school.
In 1916, Fr.Theophilus Schwam was appointed pastor. The parish was still growing and a new church was still an urgent need in Fr. Schwam's mind. For five years he worked to convince the parishioners, but like the two previous pastors, he met resistance and was unable to raise the necessary funds. Disheartened, he left the task of constructing a new church to another pastor for another time.
In 1921, Father William Nelligan came to Beattie as a young man and a dedicated priest, and spent the rest of his years in the Beattie community. Father Bill arrived to begin his 49 year pastorate. When Fr. Schwam heard who was to take his place, he supposedly told the Bishop: "They need a new church there. I could not build it and neither can he!" A new church, dedicated in 1924, stands today as a testimony of how Fr. Schwam misjudged Father Nelligan's abilities and talents. The Church was the first of many undertakings that Fr. Bill would start and complete.
In 1923, a red-brick structure, measuring 50 x 100 feet was begun. The church was built with local help under Fr. Bill's guidance and physical labor. Rudy Krebs, one of the young men from the community who helped in the church's construction is the only member of the community left today to tell "tales" about its construction. He tells how he was working on the bell tower one day when he heard below him a voice saying, "Krebs, that's as close as you will ever get to heaven." It was Fr. Bill taunting him. Rudy would get even with him by choosing the fastest way down from the tower by flinging a rope down the outside of the church and scurrying down the rope on the bricks. This worried Father because he was always taking safety precautions lest anyone be injured working on the church. Rudy was also the man responsible for selecting the different colored bricks that make up the cross inlay on the north end of the church. As Rudy relates it: "I was the only color-blind brick layer who could do it."
The Church, with all new interior furnishings, (altar, pews, art glass windows, statues), cost $23,000 and was paid for in full by the time of its dedication on the 24th of October, 1924. The new structure was built right next to the original church, which was converted into a social center for the parish and the community. In 1926, with the purchase of a lot on the east end of the block from Mrs. Johanna Minnehan for $2,200, the original church was moved to its eastern location. In the autumn of 1928, tragedy struck the old church. An unattended furnace caused the building to catch fire and burn down. But Fr. Nelligan had a way of turning this disaster into an opportunity to fulfill another dream of his predecessors. With the insurance money, a new building was raised on the same lot where the old church stood. Fr. Nelligan affectionately called this new building "the Bungalow." It was to be St. Malachy's first grade school facility, built mainly by Father and the men of the parish. It opened its doors for the beginning of the 1929 school term. It was staffed by two Benedictine Sisters from Atchison, Sister Aurelia, OSB, and Sister Auxilia, OSB. In 1930, St. Malachy's expanded its school to include the state's first 2 year, denominational, fully accredited, high school which operated until 1938. The grade school continued its operations, moving into a new facility in 1960, until it too became a victim of our generation of rising educational costs and dwindling religious vocations.
Under Fr. Nelligan's guidance, the parish continued its spiritual and physical growth. In 1942, the two lots on the northeast corner of the block were obtained from Mrs. Mary Rombeck by a Quit-Claim deed. It served as rental property until 1960 when the lots were cleared in preparation for the building of a new grade school building.
In 1944, the lots on the northwest corner of the block were donated to the Church by the estate of Peter McMahon in exchange for the perpetual care of their lots in the parish cemetery. These lots were cleared and used as a playground for the school and neighborhood children.
In 1951, the two lots across the street, south of the present church, were acquired from Thomas and Julia Orr, and Mother Ignatius Orr, RSM, and Sr. Nicholas Orr, RSM, in exchange for the perpetual care of the Orr Family plot in the cemetery. These lots were later sold to Ted Studer in November of 1952.
Also, in 1951, an altar was erected in the cemetery, donated by the James Cain family and the two statues on the altar were gifts from the Mary Rombeck family and Mrs. Edna Rueger. The cemetery care and upkeep was a special concern of Fr. Nelligan and today, he is buried in the parish cemetery next to the altar he so loved.
In November of 1953, the three lots on the southwest corner of the block east of the Church property were deeded to the Church from the heirs of the J. W. O'Neil estate for the perpetual care of the O'Neil lot in the parish cemetery. This property was later sold to Leo Keating in January of 1972.
In 1954, another property was given to the Church from the Thomas and Julia Wendell estate. This property was used as rental property until 1967 when Fr. Nelligan, beginning his retirement, moved into this structure. In 1970, Father moved from here into the recently vacated convent that housed the Sisters who taught in the parish school. This property was later sold to Robert Schneider.
The two lots in the center of the north half of the parish block were purchased from Bennie Koch in April, 1959. These lots were cleared and added to the playground area for the school and neighbor children.
In 1959, the construction of a new grade school facility was begun to replace the "bungalow." It was a brick structure with three classrooms, complete with principal's office and a school library. When the school was closed in 1969, this building was converted into the Parish Hall, a parish social center consisting of a large meeting room and modern kitchen. Today, the hall plays an important part in our adult religious education program and is also "headquarters" for the Ladies Guild who assist the parish with their many beautiful works of charity. The Quilting Circle also uses the hall every Wednesday who donate to the Church the profits from their custom-work quilting to help meet parish expenses.
In 1964, the original convent was in need of replacement and it was decide to build a new home for the Sisters who taught at the school. A new convent was built at a cost of $26,000. At the close of the school, Father Bill moved into this house to live out his remaining years. After his death in 1973, the building was used to house the Nemaha-Marshall Regional Center, which offered assistance and materials to area parishes in their Religious Education programs. The center was moved in 1977 to Baileyville. Today, the building is used as the parish Religious Education Center for our CCD programs. The building is nicknamed the "green house" by the parishioners.
In 1967, after serving St. Malachy's Parish as pastor for 46 years, Fr. Wm. Nelligan retired as the active pastor but he still retained the title of "Pastor Emeritus." Father Wm. Loebeck was asked by Archbishop Hunkeler to succeed him.
In 1969, Fr. Lobeck was faced with a serious problem regarding the future of a Catholic school in Beattie. Because of declining enrollment, rising educational costs and dwindling religious vocations to staff the school, the parish was forced to close the school, thus ending 40 years of Catholic education at St. Malachy's School. Fr. Lobeck did not enjoy good health while stationed at Beattie, which greatly worried Fr. Nelligan. Even though Fr. Nelligan was supposed to be "retired," he was still very active and assisted Father Lobeck with celebrating daily and Sunday Masses and preaching, proclaiming the Word of God and distributing the Sacraments to the people of St. Malachy's, something he had been doing for 46 years.
In August, 1970, Beattie was assigned its next pastor, Fr. James Wright, who brought many of the ideas of the II Vatican Council to the parish. Under Fr. Jim's leadership, the parish continued to grow spiritually and understand the teachings, changes and the Spirit of the Vatican 11 Council. Fr. Jim was an avid reader who had the ability to devour books, magazines, or any printed matter. His homilies were filled with references to pertinent books, periodicals or articles. He was a creative liturgist and parishioners still talk about his powerful liturgies. He established the concept of Parish Council at Beattie so that it could better bring Christ to its members and its neighbors. Ecumenical projects and services were held with the local Methodist Church throughout his pastorate, but Fr. Jim credits Fr. Nelligan with laying much of the groundwork for Ecumenism in the Beattie Community.
The Ne-Mar Center, a not-for-profit group that assists the less fortunate was established in Beattie under Fr. Wright's leadership. The Center, working with the county's various church and governmental groups, assists the needy with clothing and food. In its short history, many families, both from the Marshall-Nemaha region and strangers passing through the area, have received assistance.
1971 and 1972 saw the Beattie parish undertake an extensive remodeling program. Both the parish house and church were in need of repairs and renovation. Although it was badly needed, it was to cost the parish $40,000 and for the first time since the 1880's, St. Malachy's was in debt. But the results of the renovation produced a parish house and church that delights the eyes of the beholder. The renovation of the church was completed in time for Holy Week Services in March of 1972.
1973 was a sad year for the parish. On July 18th, after a brief illness, Father William Nelligan died. A vital part of parish and community since 1921, Father Bill wished to be buried in the town he loved and labored in for 52 years.
1974 saw the passing of another parish landmark. In the springtime of the year the parish became concerned about the structural safety of the "bungalow." The years had left their mark on the building and it decided to raze the building.
In 1976, St. Malachy's Church donated to the City the four lots that make up the northwest corner of the block. The City, in return, developed this area into a Community Recreation Center that contains a tennis court, shuffleboard courts and a horseshoe pitching area. The parish CYO group assisted the City by raising funds through various projects to help build the tennis and shuffleboard courts.
In July, 1977, Fr. Jim Wright was transferred and the Beattie parish received its 18th pastor, Fr. Thomas Dolezal. The parish debt and financial condition has been a major impetus to the parish. A Family Mass Program was established in October of 1977 as our current CCD program. It allows both the adults and children to grow in an understanding of our Sunday Scripture Readings. As the children are learning the basics of the faith in the classrooms, the adults, meeting in the Hall, discuss the same readings to determine how they can integrate those teachings into their daily family life.
Beattie was Fr. Tom's first experience of the rural life and in his first talk to his parishioners, the "rookie" pastor informed them that what he knew about farming could be put into a thimble and there would still be plenty of room left over, but he was willing to learn if they would be willing to teach him. In a few days, he had his first lessons about "milo" and "silage" and "tractors," and other important things about their way of life. The only thing they did not have to teach him about farming concerned "cowpies." As he told them the first Sunday, "I know what cowpies are and I think you're not suppose to step on them." Summing up his feeling so far about St. Malachy's and Beattie, he said, "I now know why Fr. Nelligan wanted to stay here all those years."
The parish owes the Benedictine Sisters of Atchison a deep debt of gratitude for their 40 years of unabated service to the community in the cause of spiritual and academic education. Their selfless giving in time and energy will never be forgotten by those who came under their care. The products of their labors are proof enough of their devotion to the cause. Listed below are the Sisters who taught at our school.
Sisters:
| Aurelia | Consolata | Cajetan | Annunciata | Alicia |
| Auxilia | Berchmans | Bernadette | Mary DePorres | Lillian |
| Casimir | Antonia | Ethelreda | Mary George | Ernest |
| Leona | Melania | Hubertine | Mary Eileen | Eileen |
| Pedra | Lilliosa | Adelinda | Mary Lourdes | Mary |
| Irene | Nepomucene | Sidonia | Mary Carmel | Alexia |
| Ita | Eustasia | Delphine | Mary Gregory | Ositha |
| Milburga | Loyola | Ignatia | Christine | Clara |
| Maurina | Candida | Mary Raymond | Sabina | Conrad |
| Emmanuela | Florina | Mary Lawrence | Viventia | Bertha |
| Petronilla | Leocadia | James Marie | Anastacia |
During the past century the parish has been blessed by having seven former members heed the call of a religious vocation. From the Nicholas and Johanna Orr family, the Church received three vocations: Mother Ignatius Orr, RSM, and Sister Nicholas Orr, RSM, and Msgr. Francis Orr, a priest of this diocese. From the Thomas and Julia Orr family, Sister Mary Mark Orr, SCL, entered the religious life as a Sister of Charity at Leavenworth, Kansas. Sisters Mary Victoria Flanagan, CSJ, Mary Calasanctius Flanagan, CSJ, and Mary Immaculate Flanagan, CSJ, the daughters of James and Catharine Flanagan, entered the Sisters of St. Joseph at Concordia, Kansas. These vocations were the result of excellent rearing and good example within the family and the parish.
Throughout the years during war and peace, the community has sent its sons and daughters to serve their country. These individuals compiled admirable records in World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the war in Vietnam, and in times of peace. Two sons of the parish lost their lives while serving their country. During World War I, Henry Hoffman, the son of George and Katherine Hoffman, caught pneumonia while crossing the Atlantic on a troop transport. Because he died while aboard ship, he was buried at sea with full military honors. At the very beginning of the Second World War, Francis J. Renner, a Marine stationed on Wake Island, was killed when a Japanese warplane strafed the island and caught him before he had a chance to find safety. Francis was the son of George and Mary Renner. His death on December 7, 1941 was one of America's first casualties of the war. The community honored him by naming the local American Legion Post after him. Our parish wishes to honor both these men and will always be proud of them.
It has been said that longevity and the durability of the marital bond can be partly attributed to hard work, God's blessings, and a moral life. What work can be more honest, more burdensome, or wholesome, than work which is of the soil. What community can boast a better life than the life the Beattie Community has traditionally upheld? The following marriage partners seem to uphold the theory. We honor these couples married 50 years or more: William and Maude Spivey; Arnold and Wilhelmina Hill; and Leo and Marie Keating.
With the close of the parish school, the responsibility of teaching the faith to our children rested solely on the men and women of the parish. We are grateful and indebted to the many parishioners who have given freely of their time and talents in our Religious Education Program over these past years. In this centennial year of 1979, our parish CCD Staff consists of the following: Delores Koch, parish coordinator; Linda Bergmann; Carole Hasenkamp; Caroline Mulhern; Tim and Rosalie Olmsted; Lois O'Neil; John and Linda Rueger; Elizabeth Studer and Jan Studer.
How the founding pioneers of St. Malachy's parish would be amazed by a glimpse of the parish in 1979! It has evolved in a hundred years from a Catholic Community of settlers on the sparsely populated Kansas prairie of the 1870's to a thriving, little city that upholds the same basic values of our forefathers.
Even though the founding fathers would be amazed at the progress, they would not be disappointed. They would be justly proud of the accomplishments of their descendants and their more recent neighbors and members of the community that has caused Beattie to be named the "Milo Capital of the World."
Today, looking back through the century of our history, from the hardships of the oxen driven carts to the most luxurious multi-passenger jets, the community can be most grateful to Almighty God, to the pioneers who brought the faith to Beattie, and to those who nurtured it and handed it down to posterity. The hardships and sacrifices have been many, but it has always been a characteristic of the people in and around Beattie to rally and overcome difficulties. In hard times the people have not forgotten their God, and in the days of prosperity they have given most generously. The years have been many, but the blessings of God have been more numerous and more generous.
Grateful to God for the past, and thankful for the Church of today, the pastor and people of St. Malachy's beg continued blessings for the future. At this point in our history, we pray that the physical growth of the past will only be exceeded by the spiritual growth of the future.
Acknowledged for time and effort in compiling the history of our parish are the following members of the Centennial Committee: Regina Cannon; Ed and Elna Fitzgerald; Catherine Flanagan; Laura Hofmann; Sr. Mary Mark Orr, SCL; and Art and Beatrice Rueger.
Following the purchase of 8 acres of land in December, 1883 for the price of $240.00 from Mrs. L. White, the Beattie Union Cemetery was incorporated on December 3, 1883; and at a regular meeting of the 30 stockholders, held at the school house in Beattie, the following officers were elected to serve a term of 2 years: President, William Bell; Secretary, L. B. Cowen; Treasurer, J. T. Watkins. Others on the board were: C. H. Potter, Dexter White, Robert Shields and William Spiller.
Several lots in the Northeast section were to be used for the burial of the poor. The price of lots was $10.00; and raised to $12.50 in 1884. Hay was sold from the unused grounds.
In March, 1930 at a meeting of the voters of Guittard Township and of the two northern tiers of Rock Township met to form an association, and a tax levy of $200.00 was budgeted to assist in improvement of the Beattie and Life Cemeteries; and an Endowment fund was established.
In 1970 the officers and board members were: President, Kenneth Wanklyn; Vice-president, Kenneth Jones; Secretary, Mrs. Vera Decker; Treasurer, Edward Cassidy; Mrs. Vera Seaman, Don Jones and Forrest Tegethoff. Mr. Wanklyn, Kenneth Jones, Mr. Cassidy and Mrs. Seaman are all members of families who have served on the Cemetery board since the Cemetery Association was organized.
In 1879 the Parish organized and land was purchased for a cemetery by Father FitzGerald who tended the parish but lived at Irish Creek. The Catholic families (charter members) in or near Beattie who built St. Malachy's Church and bought the 10 acres for the cemetery still have descendants in the area, being the following families; FitzGerald, O'Neil, Koch and Mulhern. Wishing the prayers of another Irish Saint besides St. Malachy, they named their parish "St. Patrick Cemetery."