ST. PATRICK
ALTAR SOCIETY
CELEBRATES 150
YEARS!!!!
On Wednesday, May
14, 2008, the St. Patrick's Altar Society celebrated 150 years of
existence with a party at the Hartford, Wisconsin Golf Club at 6:30
p.m. All were welcome--whether former or current Altar Society members,
spouses, former parishioners or just those who wanted to reminisce. The
turnout was phenomenal with 49 people in attendance including Father
David LaPlante, pastor of our merged parishes of St. Kilian and St.
Patrick, Sister Eileen and former pastors of St. Patrick’s Father John
Rausch and Father Wally Vogel.
One of the
highlights of the evening was Father David’s
surprise raffle to eight lucky attendees—beautiful framed pictures (that
Father took himself) of the historic interior of St. Patrick’s.
Former pastors Rausch and Vogel spoke of their love for the good
people of St. Patrick’s and the wonderful memories they had serving in
Erin Township. Dessert was a beautiful three-tier
150th Anniversary cake baked and decorated by Altar Society
President Joan Coffey.
Rev. John Stephen Muenich established the St. Patrick's Altar Society on
June 1, 1858. The society was formed for married and unmarried women of
the church to care for the Altar. Over the years the Society's duties
expanded into other areas of church life.
Even though the group's original purpose ceases to exist,
spirituality and friendship still remains the common thread at the heart
of the Society's longevity. The Society helps support the Hartford,
Wisconsin Food Pantry and the Hartford, Wisconsin Pregnancy Help Center
through donations and also has memorial Masses said for deceased
parishioners.
St. Patrick Preservation Group is also 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 will forever embrace our continued mission
to protect, maintain and sustain St. Patrick Church of Erin.
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.
Reduced Price! $25 picked up, $30 Mailed
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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