The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1921-11-26
HOLY TRINlNTY CHURCH..
La Crosse, Wis.

The German congregation OF Holy |
Trinity in the city of La Crosse, Wis |
consin, was originally composed of a
ing to st. Joseph's Cathedral congre-
cation from which they separated in
1887. This departure was the result
of a meeting held during May of
that year, at which it was decided to
organize congregation from those
German Catholic families living in
the southern part of the city. 1t was
also decided at that time to purchase
six lots, upon which to erect church
and schoolhouse.. Under the direc-
ton, then, of the Rev. ]. b. Wiedmann,
who had presided over their former
deliberations, Mr.. Mic Giles, the
treasurer, and James Arena, secretary
Of the organization, building 24X64
feet was erected. This building was
completed in the fall of the same
year, at which time it was dedicated
in honor of st. Nicholas. by the Right
Rev. Bishop Kilian Flasch. For
short period following it's dedication,
the congregation was attended by the
Rev. F. X. Wins, assistant at the
Cathedral In January, 1888, howev-
Ell, the Rev. Louis Kaluza became his
successor, dividing his time between
St. Nicholas and the Polish congre-
CATION of Holy Cross. In spite of
many difficulties arising in the ar
rangement of parish boundaries and
other matters pertaining to their COM
pletion, the interests of the congrega-
ton progressed and prospered in a
most satisfactory manner The peo-
| pie, in fact, were very alert to the in
terests of their church, and though
| many among them were poor, each
one strove to contribute as much as
his means would permit towards the
| improvement and beautifying of the
property. In July, 1885, the Rev. Pc
ter Allies became the first resident
rector of Holy Trinity. Under his
administration the new boundary lines
of the parish were drawn, but, unfor-
tunately, proved unsatisfactory. 1t
was about the time of his coming, also,
that the Sisters donated to the congre-
cation a house which was moved from
near St. Joseph's church on to the
new church property, where it was
fused as temporary parsonage. A
collection was also taken up at St.
tJoseph's for the benefit of the young
and struggling congregation. After
three years of vigorous service in be-
half of these people, Father Allies re-
signed the charge in 1891. In May,
1891, the Rev. A. J. Joerres was ap-
pointed pastor of Holy Trinity. Dur
| ing his residence at La Crosse, the
question OF new church had been
mooted by the congregation, but of
this nothing came, owing to the diff
culties still experienced in regard to
the boundary lines Of the parish.
| However, under the administration of
Father Joerres' successor, the Rev.
Paul Geyer, Vicar General of the dio-
cese, new church was built and ded-
icated December 4, 1892. To his eff
forts as also due the final settlement
in regard to the boundary lines which
were at his request definitely fixed by
Bishop Schwebach. Father Geyer was
succeeded by the Rev. Herman Jo-
seph' Untraut. At this time, the con-
gregation was not in very good finan-
cial condition; over $4,000 lay as a
heavy burden on the people Father
| Untraut took an active interest in EN-
bellishing the church, in which eff
fort he was laudably sustained by
many members of his congregation.
1t was under his administration that
the interior of the church was great
ly improved and handsomely decorat-
ed. Father Riesterer is the present
pastor.