Columbus Catholic High School - Compass Yearbook (Marshfield, WI)

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SAI T MICHAEL 4. , 1 l ! D sf wr- A-wr. 'vii Q1 St Mlchael Church, Hewltt The new and beautiful St Michael Church In Hewitt dedicated two years ago has one thing in common with the vacant store where the first Holy Mass was celebrated sixty four years ago back of both was a devout con gregatuon eager in the early years to have their Eucharistic Christ among them and de termlned In our day to give Hum a fitting dwelling The early Catholic settlers In the Hewitt area had to travel the four mules to Marsh- field for divine services. ln 18188 however at the request of the Catholics at Hewitt the Most Reverend Kilian Flasch, Bishop of La Crosse, sent the Reverend C. Nau to organ- ize a parish. Before a church was built if Father Nau was transferred Again the bishop was petitioned for a resident priest That request was granted in 1891 when the people welcomed the Reverend Winand Daniels as their pastor The new church the work of the zealous parishioners was ded: cated that same year by the Most Reverend J Schwebach then bishop of LaCrosse The Church was named St Michael In memory of Mr Michael Ruplmger who had worked so hard for the parish and had also donated the altar. During the pastorate of the Reverend Frederick Forster, 1920 to 1931, a new por- sonage was erected.

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ROZELLVILLE During the next eleven years the Reverend F. Forster, the Reverend M. Wernerus, and the Reverend C. Rumpelhardt carried on the work of spreading the Faith. The three beautiful Grottos, which were used annually during the Corpus Christi procession, were erected in i922 by Father Kloecher, pastor at the time. His successor, the Reverend A. Daniels, built the present substantial parish house. The Reverend H. Kopf, who suc- ceeded Father Daniels, was much loved by his parishioners, after seven happy months, however, God called Father Kopf to his re- ward. A few years later, during the pastorate of Reverend L. Lang, the present convent was erected. The Reverend H. Lachnit succeeded Father lang, and for nine years ministered to his parishioners. The Reverend J. Neises was then assigned to Rozellville, and before long he had won the hearts of all his people by his friendly, genial ways. Their love was sorely tried when a few years after his ar- rival, Father Neises became critically ill. The people literally stormed heaven with prayers. God answered them, their pastor recovered. Before retiring inl950, he built the present parish hall. Father Neises, who lives now in Marshfield, was succeeded by the present pastor, the Reverend J. Eisenmann. Rev. J. Eisenmann PASTOR Father Eisenmann, who came to St. An- drew's parish two years ago, has already accomplished much for the spiritual welfare of his people. His Sunday instructions, tinged with an original humor, are as enioyable as they are enlightening, say his parishioners. S

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HEWITT Recognizing their responsibility for the Christian education of their children, the people of St. MichaeI's determined to build a school. Enthusiasm was rife, ln June of 1898, Reverend John Eisen, assisted by the Reverend Gerhard Vadder, and the Reverend J. Gara, laid the cornerstone for ci new school. ln September, the School Sisters of Notre Dome came from Milwaukee to teach the one hundred and one children enrolled. On Sunday, October 16, 1898, the bishop Rev. R. J. Oberwinder PASTOR Interior of St. Michael Church, Hewltt solemnly dedicated the school building, the Sisters' home, and chapel. Shortly after his arrival in 1945, the Rev. Robert Oberwinder, the present pastor, set about repairing and modernizing the school. Today it is the boast of pastor ond people that every child of the parish is attending St. Joseph's School, the parish school. After fifty years, the church building it- self was no longer serviceable. A new St. Michael's was imperative. On October 4, 1949, the cornerstone of the new church was laid by the Most Reverend John P. Treacy, Bishop of LaCrosse. Within a year, the edi- fice was completed, and on April 30, 1950, the Blessed Sacrament was carried in solemn procession to the new and beautiful St. Michael Church.