Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Auburndale, Wisconsin
Established 1878
Immigrants from Eisenstein, Germany who settled in the area appealed to Rev. A. Schuettlehofer of Medford for religious services. The first Mass was held in the home of William St. Thomas. An increase in Catholic immigrants warranted construction of a log church. St. Mary’s was a mission church of St. John the Baptist Parish in Marshfield until Bishop Kilian Flasch appointed Rev. N. Kils as St. Mary’s first pastor in 1883.
In 1886, under Rev. Monsignor Joch, a frame church and school were constructed. Until then, classes had been held in the rectory. The Sisters of St. Joseph of Milwaukee, taught until 1892. Lay teachers filled in until the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration of La Crosse came in 1909.
In 1896, a brick church was built under the direction of Rev. John Brudermann. A new school was built during Rev. John Schumacher’s pastorate (1908-1918), containing living quarters for the sisters, who later moved into the former rectory to allow for more classrooms.
A new rectory was constructed in 1925. The present church was completed in 1926 to accommodate the growing number of families (137 at the time). The cornerstone was laid and dedicated by Monsignor John Hauck of Wausau on July 15th during the pastorate of Rev. Joseph Steinhauser who served the parish for 30 years. Stained glass windows from Munich, Germany were installed in 1928. The famous Danish decorator, Bernard Hillig, painted the interior in 1929. In 1940, the convent and school were constructed and later dedicated by Bishop John P. Tracey in September, 1945. A pipe organ was installed and blessed in 1949 by the Very Rev. Michael Kelnhofer of St. John the Baptist in Marshfield.
A new entrance was added to the church in 1950. The church was completely remodeled in 1968 with new pews and an altar. Bishop Raymond Burke, assisted by Rev. T. Michael Schelble, pastor at the time, dedicated the new addition to the front of the church with handicapped accessibility on July 15th, 2001. While the school closed in 2007, St. Mary’s maintains a strong Religious Education program.
In 1886, under Rev. Monsignor Joch, a frame church and school were constructed. Until then, classes had been held in the rectory. The Sisters of St. Joseph of Milwaukee, taught until 1892. Lay teachers filled in until the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration of La Crosse came in 1909.
In 1896, a brick church was built under the direction of Rev. John Brudermann. A new school was built during Rev. John Schumacher’s pastorate (1908-1918), containing living quarters for the sisters, who later moved into the former rectory to allow for more classrooms.
A new rectory was constructed in 1925. The present church was completed in 1926 to accommodate the growing number of families (137 at the time). The cornerstone was laid and dedicated by Monsignor John Hauck of Wausau on July 15th during the pastorate of Rev. Joseph Steinhauser who served the parish for 30 years. Stained glass windows from Munich, Germany were installed in 1928. The famous Danish decorator, Bernard Hillig, painted the interior in 1929. In 1940, the convent and school were constructed and later dedicated by Bishop John P. Tracey in September, 1945. A pipe organ was installed and blessed in 1949 by the Very Rev. Michael Kelnhofer of St. John the Baptist in Marshfield.
A new entrance was added to the church in 1950. The church was completely remodeled in 1968 with new pews and an altar. Bishop Raymond Burke, assisted by Rev. T. Michael Schelble, pastor at the time, dedicated the new addition to the front of the church with handicapped accessibility on July 15th, 2001. While the school closed in 2007, St. Mary’s maintains a strong Religious Education program.
St. Michael the Archangel Parish, Hewitt, Wisconsin
Established 1888
In 1887, Michael Ruplinger and Frank Kramer met with Bishop Kilian Flasch in La Crosse who would assign Rev. C. Nau to organize a parish in 1888. The first Mass was held in a store owned by Mr. Ruplinger. Rev. Winand Daniels was named pastor in June, 1891, and built the first church. Bishop J. Schwebach dedicated the church on October 27, 1891. St. Michael’s was named in honor of Michael Ruplinger, who donated the high altar.
Stained glass windows were added in March of 1897. An addition to the church and a new rectory were built in 1904. That church was demolished on October 4, 1949 for safety reasons. A new cornerstone was laid on the site, dedicated by Bishop John P. Tracey. Mass was held in the school basement from March 27, 1949 to April 30, 1950. The Blessed Sacrament was carried in solemn procession to the new church, which was dedicated on July 16, 1950 by Bishop Tracey. Father Oberwinder and Andrew Pankratz shared their talents building the altar, cross, pulpit and stations. The sanctuary was extensively remodeled in 1968 under direction of Rev. Raymond Bornbach.
The school cornerstone was dedicated in June of 1898. Three School Sisters of Notre Dame arrived to teach on September 1, 1898. Heavy summer rains delayed construction, forcing classes to be held in a nearby barn. St. Joseph’s School was dedicated October 16, 1898. Enrollment for all eight grades was 101. The school was remodeled in the late 1930s, and again in 1945. In 1970, it was reduced to six grades, and later closed in the fall of 1971. The school was demolished in 1995.
Planning for a parish center addition began in 1996 during the pastorate of Rev. Terrance M. Schelble. Constructed in 2000, the dedication was July 22, 2001 by Bishop Raymond Burke. Religious Education classes have been taught in the center since its completion.
Bishop Felix Ley, OFM Cap, along with 14 other priests and 31 sisters make up the clergy and religious that St. Michael’s families have contributed to the Church throughout its history.
Stained glass windows were added in March of 1897. An addition to the church and a new rectory were built in 1904. That church was demolished on October 4, 1949 for safety reasons. A new cornerstone was laid on the site, dedicated by Bishop John P. Tracey. Mass was held in the school basement from March 27, 1949 to April 30, 1950. The Blessed Sacrament was carried in solemn procession to the new church, which was dedicated on July 16, 1950 by Bishop Tracey. Father Oberwinder and Andrew Pankratz shared their talents building the altar, cross, pulpit and stations. The sanctuary was extensively remodeled in 1968 under direction of Rev. Raymond Bornbach.
The school cornerstone was dedicated in June of 1898. Three School Sisters of Notre Dame arrived to teach on September 1, 1898. Heavy summer rains delayed construction, forcing classes to be held in a nearby barn. St. Joseph’s School was dedicated October 16, 1898. Enrollment for all eight grades was 101. The school was remodeled in the late 1930s, and again in 1945. In 1970, it was reduced to six grades, and later closed in the fall of 1971. The school was demolished in 1995.
Planning for a parish center addition began in 1996 during the pastorate of Rev. Terrance M. Schelble. Constructed in 2000, the dedication was July 22, 2001 by Bishop Raymond Burke. Religious Education classes have been taught in the center since its completion.
Bishop Felix Ley, OFM Cap, along with 14 other priests and 31 sisters make up the clergy and religious that St. Michael’s families have contributed to the Church throughout its history.
St. Kilian’s Parish, Blenker, Wisconsin
Established 1882
St. Kilian’s first Mass took place in 1880 on tree stumps. Immigrants from Eisenstein, Germany who settled in the area, having to walk five miles for Mass in Auburndale, built their own church in 1882 (unbeknownst at the time to Bishop Kilian Flasch). Bishop Flasch first became aware of this upon receiving an invitation to dedicate the new church, and, though taken aback, happily named the church after his namesake and patron saint.
St. Kilian’s was a mission church served by priests from Auburndale, Marshfield, and Junction City. Mass was heard once a month until 1892 when Masses increased to every other week.
A school was built in 1889. Fire destroyed the school and church in 1898. Classes were held in a horse barn until a new school was built.
Bishop J. Schwebach laid the current church cornerstone in 1904, naming Father Anthony Billig Pastor. The rectory was then built. Pastor Rev. Theodore Fraling drew up plans for a new school in 1907, completed in 1908. Milwaukee Sisters of Notre Dame taught from 1908 to 1933 until Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, La Crosse took over. The school was rebuilt under the direction of Father Kreibich (1949-1952). The first lay teacher was hired in 1959. On May 28, 1969, the school closed. Sadly, Father Robert Oberwinder, pastor at the time, retired due to ill health. Under the direction of Father James Ennis (1971-1977), a strong Religious Education Program was established, which remains today.
A new front entrance to the church was built in 1984. Most recently, a stained glass window restoration project has begun and continues.
A parish centennial celebration was held on July 18, 1982, with Mass celebrated by Bishop Fredrick Freking. Concelebrants were former and current pastors, as well as priests and sisters that grew up in the parish.
The parish has a lot to be proud of: nine priests, one religious brother, and nine sisters are among the clergy and religious that St. Kilian’s families have contributed to the Church throughout its history, demonstrating a strong support of the Catholic faith and vocations.
St. Kilian’s was a mission church served by priests from Auburndale, Marshfield, and Junction City. Mass was heard once a month until 1892 when Masses increased to every other week.
A school was built in 1889. Fire destroyed the school and church in 1898. Classes were held in a horse barn until a new school was built.
Bishop J. Schwebach laid the current church cornerstone in 1904, naming Father Anthony Billig Pastor. The rectory was then built. Pastor Rev. Theodore Fraling drew up plans for a new school in 1907, completed in 1908. Milwaukee Sisters of Notre Dame taught from 1908 to 1933 until Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, La Crosse took over. The school was rebuilt under the direction of Father Kreibich (1949-1952). The first lay teacher was hired in 1959. On May 28, 1969, the school closed. Sadly, Father Robert Oberwinder, pastor at the time, retired due to ill health. Under the direction of Father James Ennis (1971-1977), a strong Religious Education Program was established, which remains today.
A new front entrance to the church was built in 1984. Most recently, a stained glass window restoration project has begun and continues.
A parish centennial celebration was held on July 18, 1982, with Mass celebrated by Bishop Fredrick Freking. Concelebrants were former and current pastors, as well as priests and sisters that grew up in the parish.
The parish has a lot to be proud of: nine priests, one religious brother, and nine sisters are among the clergy and religious that St. Kilian’s families have contributed to the Church throughout its history, demonstrating a strong support of the Catholic faith and vocations.
