The Catholic bulletin., 1922-04-15
ST. MARY'S CHURCH

The origin of St. Mary;S conSreSa-
ton dates back as far as the year
1851. From that time until a perma-
nent pastorate was established the
spiritual wants of Catholics residing
in that locality had been fulfilled in
termittently by visitant priests. The
irst number of Catholic families liV-
ng in and about Wausau during these
arly DAYS is recorded as fifteen Need
ass to say, these pioneer families,
living on the far borders Of what was
then recognized as the ''civilized
Vest" had been long debarred OF the
privileges of spiritual aid and comfort.
Efforts of an heroic nature were con-
seouently made by early missionary
Fathers to rescue this little army OF
souls for God and, though beset with
hardships and privatiOns, these men
sought out this distant spot as a field
of charity and conformity labOred for
the foundation of st. Marys. Many
droughts of spiritual consultations
these men weathered, remote from
everything pertaining to the comfort
and safety afforded by larger settle
ments. Yet, Wausau was to be some
day larger settlement than its own
spiritual nurseries. Providence per-
mitted and privileged st. Marys
church to become the M o t h e +
Church" of Wausau. Her history of
growth is interesting, and her present
accommodations and vigorous life
stand as an enviable monument to all
who labored in the making of this
tiourishing parish.
The first of the devoted missionary
Fathers to make. an appearance here
was the Reverend L. Dale, who visited
Wausau in the fall of 1851. He held
Divine services in the house OF w. ID.
McIndoe Again in the year OF lSo2-oo
Father F. X Etschmann of Madison
made several missionary visits to
Wausau, after which, however, the
people were unattended until October,
1857, when the Reverend James
Stehle. then resident, pastor at Stevens
Point, celebrated Mass in C. Singles
Hall every second month. He was
succeeded in 1858 by his brother, Fa-
1her n. Stehle, who also conducted
services at similar periods in w. ID.
Mcindoes storehouse until the sum-
ner of 1860 Then the Reverend j..
Polack took charge of the Mission.
During his encumbency a church site
was purchased on July 20, 1861. The
progress in establishing became very
slow, despite the efforts of succeed
ing visitant pastors in the persons OF
Fathers G.. Lux and M. Schwebach.
But services became more frequent,
they being held monthly in the engine
house. In 1866 the Mission was placed
in the charge of the Reverend Ch.
Hengen, at that time resident priest
of Marathon City. Under his direction
the congregation, now having thirty
families, took steps toward the erec-
ton of church, the cornerstone of
which was laid in July, 1867. From
that time until March %, 1875, when
the Reverend Theodore Richard be-
came the first actual pastor OF perma-
nent residence, the parish struggled
in the cradle of it's infancy. Father
Richards work in putting st. Mary's
on a firm footing deserves commenda-
ton. His unceasing labors for twenty
years will be always an outstanding
epoch in the history of this parish.
His was a brain of organizing powers
and heart of priestly zeal. He did
his work we'll for God at ST. Mary's.
improvements were made. in the be-
ginning, additional church property
was bought, a new large bell installed,
and cemetery was. got, all before
August, 1876. Not satisfied with a
work half done, Father Richard moved
the people to erect a parochial school
in 1883, the first Catholic school in
the city. This is a distinction in it.
self. But in September, 1890. a new
vision came to. the city OF Wausau,
The cornerstone for a new and hand
some brick church. Gothic in stFuc-
ture, was laid with quite some cere-
mony. Completed in 1892, this church
stands today as a well-known and Oft
frequented house of God in the city
of Wausau. Certainly, there is none
larger and as stoutly built. After