The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1922-06-24
ST. MARY'S CHURCH, LADYSMITH
WIS

WIS.
Mass was celebrated for the first
tine in Ladysmith, which was then
on.y a small village called Warner,
in the fall of 1900 by a young priest
passing through to some more import
ant mission. The only place available
as a room in the rear Of the bakery
lop conducted by Dennis Provost,
Three years later, Rev. Father
Vichter of Tony began his semi-an-
lual visits, and a year later began
holding services monthly. The con
sregatiOn increasing, the Opera House
was rented. The low, old-fashiOned
square piano, covered with table
cloth, served as the altar, the dress
ing room our confessional, q block. Of
wood our kneeling bench. Here it
was that the children received their
first religious instructions. In 1904,
a class was prepared and received
their first Holy Communion. Thus
was sown the spiritual seed which
was to produce a tree goodly in size
and fruit-bearing. s a
At time wore on, a city sprung up
where Warner had been. Ladysmith
began growing larger, and many new
Catholic families moved in In 1905,
plans were made for the erection Of
a suitable place in which to offer up
the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass
The ladies of the parish gave a
church bazaar and realized money
enough to purchase the lot. In the
spring of 1906, the contract was Civ
en- to erect 81 by so building. In
it an altar was built, but only pine
benches served as seats.
Up to 1910, secular priests had guild
ed ST. Mary's parish. Among them
were Rev. Fathers Pesch, Lehnen,
Schell, Dininger and with splendid
success, but at this time the parish
came under the direction of the Ser
ite Fathers, and for twelve years has
l.assed periodic of what seems to us
reconstruction.
In January, 1916 Father Mccain
took charge but remained just a LITTLE
over a year. In May, 1911, Father
Bauman arrived. from Chicago, tie
second pastor from the Servite Order
Il man with a slow and methodical
way, neither wearing himself out with
worry and care, nor ever giving up a
mission once started For mite years
this sturdy man held the fort. IN
these years, much was done toward
gathering, organizing and rounding up
the flock. The nucleus Of the Cath
Ollie school was formed.
In the summer of 1911, the corner
stone was laid for the large three
story, solid, white brick st. Mary's
church and school. The first floor to
the second and third floors as school
rooms.
The standard of education has been
raised to a point which places the
school on the accredited list Of the
university.
In 1917, a very imposing structure
was completed as Monastery for
our Fathers and as the good work
was still continuing, the following
year the splendid ten-room ST. Mary's
hospital was built on the banks of the.
beautiful Flambeau river.
In 1920, on account of his failing
health, Father Bauman returned to
Chicago.
Our present pastor, Father Reisenl-
ny, arrived here August Is, 1920 Rev
Father Reisemny was born at ST. Jo-
seph, Mo-, October 8, 1888. He receiy-
ed his high school and college educa-
ton in a Christian Brothers school.
He was ordained June 20, 1915, at ST.
Paul. He went to Chicago, where he
remained for three years, then to Van
couver for one year, and finally was
sent to Ladysmith.