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A brief history of St Patricks
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02/29/08

 

 

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ST. PATRICK PRESERVATION FUND, INC., IS PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT WE HAVE BEEN OFFICIALLY DESIGNATED AS A PUBLICLY SUPPORTED TAX-EXEMPT ORGANIZATION. THIS WAS A FIVE-YEAR PROCESS, AND WE WISH TO THANK ALL OF OUR MEMBERS AND DONORS, AS THIS STATUS WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE WITHOUT YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT. RECOGNIZING THE HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE AND SENSE OF COMMUNITY THAT ST. PATRICK CHURCH BRINGS TO THE TOWN OF ERIN, THE MEMBERS OF THE ST. PATRICK PRESERVATION FUND, INC., WILL FOREVER EMBRACE OUR CONTINUED MISSION TO PROTECT, MAINTAIN AND SUSTAIN ST. PATRICK CHURCH OF ERIN.

WE WOULD ALSO LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO WELCOME FATHER DAVID LA PLANTE AS PASTOR OF ST. PATRICK'S OF ERIN AND ST. KILIAN'S PARISH OF HARTFORD.

 

ST. PATRICK CHURCH OF ERIN

CELEBRATES 150 YEARS!!!! 

The official celebration for the 150th Anniversary of St. Patrick Church took place on June 26, 2005 at St. Patrick Church in the Town of Erin, Wisconsin, with visitors from as far away as California, Arizona, New York and Ohio and many an Irish name in attendance!  Father Michael Petrie, Pastor of St. Kilian’s Parish of Hartford and St. Patrick’s Chapel concelebrated a 3 p.m. Mass at this historic church along with former pastors, Father John Rausch and Father Walter Vogel. The music provided by the St. Kilian Choir, with Steve Tennies as Cantor and organist Audrey Rhinehart, was wonderfully—Gaelic, Celtic and Irish--in melody, lyrics and composer.  In addition, Kathleen & Charles Jeffords brought the chalice of their brother, Father Robert Jeffords, to use at the anniversary Mass.  Father Jeffords, who served at both St. Kilian and St. Patrick Churches, died of cancer in 1973 at the age of 35 and is buried at St. Patrick’s Cemetery.  A 5 p.m. buffet dinner and social followed the Mass with St. Patrick Preservation President, John Collins as Masters of Ceremony.  Father Vogel, Father Rausch and the Jeffords and Weber families shared many wonderful stories.  Joan Coffey’s cake decorating prowess was on display along with many other delicious desserts provided by the St. Patrick’s Ladies Altar Society. 

 

St. Patrick Church of Erin, located at 1908 Highway 83, Town of Erin, Wisconsin, was built by Irish immigrants in 1855. It is one of few churches in Wisconsin built in the shape of a cross, which adds to its historical significance. The original interior of St. Patrick Church has been preserved for over 150 years. Beautiful statutes of St. Patrick and of the Blessed Mother were donated in 1883 and the 1,000-lb. bell and stained glass windows were added in 1904. The St. Patrick grounds also include two cemeteries, Old St. Patrick Cemetery established in 1850 and an additional cemetery site added in 1959.

St. Patrick Church was merged with St. Kilian Parish of Hartford and given "chapel" status in June of 1999. The first meeting of the St. Patrick Preservation Group was held on June 2, 1999. In March of 2000, St. Patrick Church was named to the Wisconsin Trust for Historic Preservation's list of one of the ten most endangered historic properties in the State of Wisconsin. On June 30, 2000, St. Patrick Preservation Fund, Inc. was established to assist in the preservation of the history and activities of St. Patrick Church. It has also been our goal to work with the Milwaukee Archdiocese in whatever way possible to find an acceptable use for St. Patrick's Church and assist in whatever way possible in the maintenance of the cemeteries, rectory and grounds of St. Patrick’s Church for the benefit of past, present and future generations not only in the United States but also in Ireland. Monthly meetings are held the second Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Erin Town Hall, 1846 Highway 83, Town of Erin, Wisconsin. The Rosary is prayed prior to our monthly meetings on the steps of St. Patrick’s Church at 6:40 p.m., May through September (weather permitting).

What can you do to help? First, please remember the St. Patrick Preservation Group in your daily prayers. If you are interested in financially supporting our cause, tax-deductible donations may be mailed to:

St. Patrick Preservation Fund, Inc.
c/o Mrs. Joan Coffey
1480 State Highway 83, South
Hartford, WI 53027

 


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