St. Casimir Parish

 

 

Early Stages of Development
November 7, 1892 – Fr. Jerome Schneider stated he celebrated mass for the first time in Krakow, probably in some home. Prior to this time early Krakow settlers walked six to eight miles to the closest church in Pulaski.

Summer 1898 – Once a month services were held in a public district school, which could accommodate a larger number of faithful. Sermons were preached in the Polish language.

January 1900 – Fr. Anthony Wisniewski, O.F.M., pastor of St. Mary’s Church in Pulaski passed a resolution that masses will continue being held in the district school and steps be taken to collect funds for building a temporary church at Krakow across the street from the school. Fr. Wisniewski is considered the organizer of the St. Casimir congregation.

November 16, 1900 – John J. Hoff, an enterprising and generous land agent deeded land for the Catholic Church and cemetery to the Bishop of the Green Bay Diocese, S. G. Messmer.

October 9, 1900 – Fr. Francis Manel appointed as pastor of Pulaski and the “station” at Krakow.

February 21, 1901 – The Parish boundaries of Pulaski and Krakow were designated by Bishop Messmer.

October 1901 – The first two church societies were organized. All the men (26) were grouped into the St. Casimir society and the women (32) formed the first Holy Rosary society. The choice of St. Casimir had been selected earlier (in 1900) as the name of the congregation.

(1903-1927)
June 29, 1903 – Fr. Francis with his building committee signed with contractor, H. Hoffman of Appleton, WI to build a basement church of fieldstones. The church was to be 104' x 56' and the contracted cost was $2,284.

October 12, 1903 – St. Casimir Congregation was legally incorporated with the State of Wisconsin and received its charter.

November 1903 – The foundation was covered with a roof and the first Catholic church of Krakow was a reality. The final building cost was $2,570.62.

November 23, 1903 – Date of the solemn dedication of St. Casimir church. Bishop Messmer blessed the new church and confirmed a group of 50 parishioners. After the day of dedication, mass was offered every Sunday and holy day of obligation.

April 10, 1905 – The newly appointed Bishop of Green Bay, Most Rev. Joseph J. Fox granted his official permission to transfer the Krakow mission, its land and properties to the perpetual care of the Franciscan Fathers.

July 2, 1905 – Krakow parishioners witnessed the first mass celebration of Fr. Louis Kania, O.F.M. their future pastor, who was newly ordained in St. Louis, MO.

Summer 1906 – The building of the new Catholic school was begun and consisted of a two-story wooden building with two classrooms and a convent. The cost was $4,095.

September 26, 1906 – Bishop Joseph J. Fox blessed the new school, consecrated the church bell, and confirmed a class of 41 children. The Sisters of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis from Stevens Point, WI were engaged to teach at St. Casimir.

Easter Sunday 1909 – Fr. Louis Kania, O.F.M. returned to the scene of his first mass as Pastor.

October 1, 1910 – Due to several wind and rainstorms the roof of the basement church was damaged. The first mission in the history of the parish lasted five days and was conducted by a Jesuit missionary. There were 94 Polish and 11 English-speaking families in the congregation at this time.

January 3, 1913 – Property east of the school was purchased - a boarding house, a larger structure containing a stable, saloon, and dance hall. The congregation was still deeply in debt so Father Cyril persuaded the Superior of the Franciscan Fathers to buy the property and the Krakow congregation would later pay them back. This was the establishment of the first rectory.

August 23, 1914 – Rev. Anthony Wisniewski, the founder of the congregation returned to become the first full-time resident pastor. He suffered a fatal heart attack on November 19, 1914.

November 29, 1914 – Fr. Lawrence Koniezka, O.F.M. came to serve as pastor in Krakow from Saturdays until Mondays.

November 19, 1916 – Fire broke out devouring the rectory and parish hall. The parish was again without a rectory. Fr. Stephen Ozialdowski coming on Saturdays resided in a small room in the corner of the church.

1919 – Fr. Stephen initiated a fund for a future rectory. His last years were marked by a great influenza epidemic in the country and throughout the world. Krakow was not spared.

October 6, 1921 – Fr. Stanislaus Pawloski, a new young and energetic pastor, setup new goals for the parish. With labor from the parishioners and donated materials, Fr. Stanley was able to persuade the Franciscan superiors and the Bishop Paul P. Rhode of Green Bay (the first Polish Bishop in America) that another rectory would be built without new substantial debts. Fr. Stanley besides collecting debts staged benefit-boxing matches in Krakow, Pulaski, Shawano, and Green Bay to raise much of the necessary money. A fund of $3,500 was raised.

Autumn 1923 – There stood alongside the basement church a nine-room red brick, two-story rectory – its cost $4,277.79.

1925 – St. Joseph’s Church of North Chase was given over to the care of the pastors of Krakow. It remained in their care most of this time until February 1934 when Pulaski and Green Bay Franciscans took it over until 1951.

1927 – St. Casimir cemetery improved and re-plotted.

(1928 – 1952)
June 1928 – Building fund for new Church totaled $7,000.

October 14, 1928 – Bishop Paul P. Rhode and ten diocesan priests celebrated a Jubilee High Mass.

February 1929 – Fire broke out due to a defective chimney. Stunned by the loss of their school, parishioners resolved to build new church first.

July 1929 – Architect Mr. W.E. Reynolds of Green Bay Joseph Socha, Jr. was hired as contractor and builder of the church and school. Parishioners contributed labor and materials. The new church was under roof, a new church bell was donated and blessed. The total cost of the new church was approximately $25,000.

August 26, 1929 - Dedication and blessing of the new Church by Bishop Paul P. Rhode.

November 25, 1929 – Within three months, on the ruins of the former frame building – a new red brick structure appeared. In eight months a new church and combination school and Sisters’ convent were constructed. The new school cost $10,000 over and above donated labor and materials.

January 1934 – Parish debt rose to $15,560. Payments were not made on the pipe organ so it was in danger of being lost. The Franciscan Fathers made a $1,000 loan to the Krakow congregation.

September 28, 1935 – Riverview Pavilion was built by the Brzezinski brothers of Krakow on the parish grounds at a cost of $7,657.

March 1943 – Better economic conditions during and after World War II and parish picnics brought in greater funds than ever. A final balance of $692.92 was paid to Brzezinski brothers and the Riverview Pavilion became parish property.

1945 – By the end of 1945 the last amount of $5,800 of parish debt was cleared. Fr. Augustine was called the builder and Fr. Benedict should be labeled the stabilizer and manager. Not to be forgotten in all this work is Franciscan lay brother Emmanuel Bartosiewicz, O.F.M. who served as cook, housekeeper and faithful helper of the last two pastors of St. Casimir.

(1953-1977)
September 27 - October 4, 1953 – A Golden Jubilee Mission was held to prepare the congregation spiritually for the solemn and historic moment.

October 4, 1953 – St. Casimir Parish celebrated its fiftieth anniversary.

Krakow in 1953 - Population of 200, prosperous farmers of parishioners (160 – 200 acres). Main Street in Krakow is lined with various business establishments (Red Owl store, Krakow Pickle Co., Krakow Lumber & Feed Store and Krakow Cheese Factory, etc. all owned by Brzezinski brothers). Other businesses in Krakow owned by various people include: Krakow Electric Shop, Krakow Bowling Alley, Krakow Welding Shop, Funk Grocery Store, John Blaszczyk Hardware and five taverns.

July 22, 1954 – Extensive remodeling of the church and parish school began. This included painting of the church interior, the installation of a new heating system, storm windows, a new church roof, and a cement floor for the basement; the main altar in the church was changed; the cemetery underwent beautification and a committee was formed to manage it; the parish school and quarters for the Sisters were remodeled.

1967 – Parish school ceased operation; CCD and religious education programs were initiated; parish societies reorganized and activated; the outdoor grotto constructed and all parish activities were recorded in the parish weekly bulletins.

January 9, 1972 – With the establishment of a building fund and more plans for remodeling and updating the church structure, the congregation’s enthusiasm was saddened by Fr. Bartholomew’s unexpected death.

August 15, 1972 – Fr. Mark Szych, newly appointed pastor was faced with the challenge of stabilizing the parish after Fr. Bart’s death and established the St. Casimir Parish Council.

1974 – First diocesan census revealed an increase in parish membership. The lay ministry program including weekly distribution of Holy Communion to the shut-ins was initiated.

1976 – New church entrance added.

1977 – New pews and carpeting of the entire church and the church basement was tiled and new stoves installed.

(1978 – 2003)
1978 – Parishioners were photographed for the Diamond Jubilee Family Directory - the first of its kind in the parish.

Summer 1978 – Kitchen areas in church basement painted.

July 9, 1978 – Mass of thanksgiving offered for the many graces and blessings received during the past seventy-five years with Bishop Aloysious Wycislo as principal celebrant. The celebration continued with a Parish Jubilee Dinner, entertainment and dance in the hall.

August 27, 1978 – Fr. Mark Szych celebrated his 25th Silver Jubilee of his ordination to the Holy Priesthood with a Mass of Thanksgiving followed by a potluck social.

October 16, 1978 – Cardinal Karol Wojtyła was elected to the Papacy and took the name of Pope John Paul II. He is the first Polish Pope in history.

June 29, 1980 – New rectory groundbreaking. The foundation was dug and the new rectory was on its way to being built.

January 4, 1981 – New rectory open house and potluck.

December 1981 – Rectory basement chapel finished and first mass celebrated.

February 1982 – Two weeks of summer school religious education (trial basis summer 1982) was planned to replace the school-year program.

February 26, 1982 – Fr. Theodore Zaremba died unexpectedly.

April 1, 1982 – Fr. James Esser, after several brief periods of service to the Parish during the previous year, was officially appointed Pastor.

July 25, 1982 – The Altar Rosary Society invited all parishioners to share in a potluck dinner to get acquainted with Fr. Jim.

March 13, 1983 – A group of 15 people cleaned and painted the church basement and washrooms.

June 1983 – One week summer school and six Saturdays during the year.

January 25, 1984 – Adam J. Maida was ordained and installed as the new Bishop of the Diocese of Green Bay.

June 1984 – Repair and re-leading of stained glass windows in the Church proper.

September 1984 – CCD classes; two hours in length held six times in fall and six times in spring.

November 1984 – New church roof installed.

July 28, 1985 – First annual St. Casimir Parish Family Picnic.

 

Fall 1985 – Spring 1986 – Church exterior tuck-pointing and painting completed.

March – April 1986 – Newly donated sound system installed.

April 20, 1986 – Diocesan-wide census begins.

July 1986 – North end of the Church struck by lightning; new roof and new sound system damaged and water damage in sanctuary. Young Ladies Sodality disbanded.

October 12, 1986 – Lumen Christi Fund begins in the Diocese and in our parish.

February - March 1987 – Renovation of the interior of the church: side altars removed and replaced by the tabernacle and Blessed Mother and Sacred Heart statues; new lighting installed; painted and redecorated.

1988 – Baptismal font refurbished and Baptismal area created.

April 17, 1988 – St. Casimir Cookbooks available after Masses.

October 1988 – New Church furnaces installed.

November 1990 – Cemetery road extended.

December 5, 1990 – Robert Banks installed as the tenth Bishop of the Green Bay Diocese.

August 1991 – Removal of Riverview Pavilion and area landscaped.

August 1991 – Sanctuary carpet replaced.

August 9, 1992 – Fr. Jim celebrated 25th Anniversary of Ordination at time of Parish Family Picnic.

July 1995 – Parishioners installed new rectory roof.

September 5, 1997 – Mother Teresa of Calcutta passed away.

March 22, 1998 – Spring Card Party Tournaments discontinued.

May 1998 – Altar Rosary Society ladies visit Valley of Our Lady Monastery – Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin. These sisters make our altar breads.

August 30 – September 2, 1998 – Renew 2000 Parish Mission.

October 4, 1998 - Renew 2000 small groups begin first series of six-week sessions.

September – October 1999 – Tuck-pointing, caulking and painting exterior of the Church.

October 4, 1999 – Renew 2000 small groups begin second series of six-week sessions.

December 24, 1999 – Kick off of Millennium - Jubilee 2000 celebration at Christmas Eve Mass.

January 2, 2000 – Pulaski Brass Quintet played Christmas music before and during the 9:00 am Mass.

January 2001 – New keyboard donated.

June 27, 2001 – Fr. Mark Szych passed away.

January 2002 – Statues of the Blessed Mother and Sacred Heart refurbished.

October 8, 2002 – Third session of Renew 2000 began.

December 24, 2002 – Began Parish Centennial Year of celebration at Christmas Eve Mass.

March 24 – 28, 2003 – Centennial Parish Mission led by Fr. Richard Tulko, O.F.M.

August 10, 2003 – Centennial celebration of the Parish Family Picnic. Large picture display covering 100 years.

August 2003 – New sidewalk installed at Church entrance.

October 12, 2003 – Mass of thanksgiving offered for the many graces and blessings received during the past one hundred years with The Most Reverend Robert J. Banks, Bishop of Green Bay, as principal celebrant. The celebration continued with a Parish Jubilee Dinner.

 

December 12, 2003 – David A. Zubik installed as the eleventh Bishop of the Diocese of Green Bay.

(2004 – 2028)
October 2004 – Cemetery road resurfaced.

 

September 2005 – New roof on church entrance.

 

June 2006 – Cemetery pillars rebuilt.

 

November 2006 – New rectory roof installed.

August 2007 – Advancing the Mission Campaign launched.

2007 – Parish kitchen remodeled.  Remodel included: plumbing redone, wall on the north and east side, new tile floors and new sinks and cabinets.

May 2008 – Cemetery hedge removal began.

 

July 2008 - Cemetery hedge cut down and brush removed.

 

August 2008 - Stumps and trees removed from parish cemetery.

 

August 28, 2008 - David L. Ricken installed as the twelfth Bishop of the Diocese of Green Bay.