The St. Patrick Preservation Fund
Dedicated to protecting and preserving St. Patrick’s Church, rectory and cemeteries
located at 1908 State Highway 83 Town of Erin, Hartford, WI 53027
The “Luck of the Irish” and the prayers of the faithful prevailed on September 12, 2026, for a special Mass at St. Patrick’s Chapel to celebrate the beginning of ERINFEST. The weather couldn’t have been more perfect. We thank Father Linn once again for his support and suggestion that Father Ryan Pruess be the celebrant for this special Mass. This was most fitting for the St. Patrick community to have a son of St. Patrick’s return to his spiritual cradle in Erin to offer a Mass where his faith first took root. Not only were the members of Father Pruess’ immediate family longtime parishioners of St. Patrick’s but many other relatives were as well. On this special day, they were in attendance--sitting in their favorite pews from so many years ago.
We thank Don and Mary Jane Gallo for all the planning that went into this day, including an ice cream social and games after Mass. The grounds of this historic landmark couldn’t be more lovely thanks to their efforts.
In addition, we are so grateful to the following for their participation before, during and after the ErinFest Mass: Father Ryan Pruess - Pastor of Holy Family in Fond du Lac, Altar Server Logan Diels (who also celebrated his birthday on September 12), our First Reader Kata Mazik, Organist Jack Serwe, Soloist Joseph Gallo, Offertory participants—Reagan and Judy Weber, Prayers of the Faithful – Andy Pyzyk and Max Schippers, Eucharistic Minister Erin Mueller, St. Patrick aka Steve DeGroot, Peggy Kenealy, Michael Tennies of the Millennial Catholic Gentlemen/JP2 Mens Group and their Mobile Sacristy and of course all the sweet children who processed up the aisle with Father Pruess.
The St. Patrick Preservation Fund is a 501(c)3 charitable organization dedicated to protecting and preserving St. Patrick’s Church, rectory and cemeteries located at 1908 State Highway 83, in the Town of Erin (Thompson), Hartford, Wisconsin 53027.
St. Patrick’s Church was built in 1855 by Irish immigrants and is one of few churches in Wisconsin built in the shape of a cross, which adds to its historic significance. The original interior of St. Patrick Church has been preserved for over 170 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 on St. Patrick's Lane.
St. Patrick’s Parish was merged with St. Kilian’s Parish in Hartford, Wisconsin on July 1, 1999, with a promise of special occasion Masses allowed at St. Patrick’s Church. These special occasion Masses included weddings, anniversaries, funerals and an Annual Mass on St. Patrick’s Feast Day on March 17.
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 due to the possibility of its destruction.
Preserve Our Historical Site
St. Patrick was closed in 1999, hurting the hearts of many dedicated parishioners and town residents. Our mission now is to preserve this 170-year-old historical site and develop a viable Catholic use for the buildings that will enhance the community and foster an understanding of the importance that all faith communities have on public life.
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 Catholic use for St. Patrick's Church and assist in whatever way possible in the maintenance of the church, 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.
You can E-mail us at .
Helpful Information
St. Patrick's Church 150th Anniversary Book has been reprinted. The cost for the book is $25 plus $12.90 shipping (if needed) for a total of $37.90. Contact Mary Hasslinger for your copy at:
Saturday, March 21, 2026 - After a ten year absence of a Mass on St. Patrick's Day, it was a perfectly beautiful day for more than 125 people to celebrate Saint Patrick at 171-year old historic St. Patrick’s Church in the Town of Erin, Wisconsin. The Mass was originally scheduled for Tuesday, March 17; however, due to our untimely BLIZZARD, we needed to reschedule to Saturday.
This Mass would not have happened without the kindness of the new Pastor of St. Kilian Parish in Hartford, Father Andrew Linn, along with permission from the Milwaukee Archdiocese and the goodness and planning of the Gallo Family. Traditional Irish melodies and hymns welcomed everyone to Mass at 8 a.m. in the early morning sunshine.
A rare opportunity was provided by an anonymous donor for a first-class relic of St Patrick of Ireland Bishop, and Confessor, to be venerated individually after Mass. This was a once in a lifetime experience as the relic was only briefly on loan.
Our St. Patrick Preservation Fund Group is elated that there will be three more Masses at St. Patrick's Church during 2026!
If interested you can listen to the music and Mass at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akbHZqtwOp0.
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