|
ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST - MONCHES HISTORY
The first Catholic settlers came to Monches in September 0f 1842. By November of that year, Fr. Martin Kundig held Mass in William McGrath's home. A year later, the congregation of St. John was established and a log church completed, which served until 1855 when a wood frame church was built across the street (where the present church stands).
In 1917, while the Rev. Wm. Mahoney was pastor, construction of the new church was begun. The stone were brought in from Lannon and styled in the English gothic tradition with a stone tower and copper spire. It features seating for three hundred, a beautiful sanctuary with a high altar and two side altars, delicately colored stained glass windows and a well designed gallery for the choir.
In April 1920, the church was consecrated by Archbishop Messmer with forty-three visiting clergy
concelebrating.
St. John has shared a long history with St. Columba in Lake Five, Washington County (now merged with St. Hubert, Hubertus and St. Mary, Richfield to become St. Gabriel). In 1993 they celebrated 150 years of shared faith.
A new beginning in July 1998, with St. John sharing some ministries, a pastor, and a new history with St. Clare in North Lake until June 25, 2006.
ST. CLARE - NORTH LAKE HISTORY
St. Clare Congregation was incorporated in North Lake, Wisconsin, in July of 1916 as a part of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. The first Masses were held in the hall above the hardware and grocery store in North Lake.
On October 3, 1917, Father Louis N. Zirbes and the parishioners broke ground for the new church, designed by well-known architect and parishioner, Alexander C. Eschweiler. The church was built in the Tudor Gothic style, with Lannon quarry stone laid in a random rubble pattern. The church was formally dedicated with a high Mass by Archbishop Messmer on April 30, 1919. The congregration numbered 35 families at that time.
In 1941, an addition was added to the church to bring the seating capacity up to 250. The membership in 1941 was 104 families.
THE FUTURE
However, on June 25, 2006, we began a new chapter in our journey under the patronage of Mother Teresa who was beatified by Pope John Paul II on October 19, 2003 as Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Parish. In 2007, we purchased about 20 acres on Hwy VV, east of North Lake and south of Monches where we hope to build a new church and facilities for all of our parishioners to gather. That is our vision.
|
Stclarecem1917-1958
