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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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