A History of Casting Our Nets to Follow Jesus
The people of Byron and Oakfield have celebrated, shared and been united by a common bond of one faith, one Lord, and one God of all. Not only must we remember with gratitude to God those who left their nets to share their gift of faith, we must celebrate the lively faith found in our community today. We look forward to the future with hope and trust as we continue our journey.

St. James – 1909

St. John – 1867

Father Jim, Father Peter Drenzek, and Father Don Zerkel

Father John Schmitz and Father Michael Petersen with Parishioners

Pastoral Council – 2007

Choir for 175th Anniversary of St. John

Clergy at 175th Anniversary Mass for St. John

175th Anniversary Mass for St. John








Our Parish History Timeline
1843
Diocese of Milwaukee is created. Bishop Henni is installed as first Bishop of the Diocese of Milwaukee in 1845.
1846
Father Florimond Bonduel officiates the first mass for Catholic settlers in Bryon. The mass is held in the log home of Phillip Sheridan. In his diary, Father Bonduel reports that 50 Catholic families reside in the Byron settlement. To accommodate this growing Catholic community, four acres of land are purchased by Bishop Henni for $20. A portion of the land is set aside for a cemetery.
1847
A small frame church is built on the site. The parish is named St. John the Evangelist. Missionary priests serve the parish for the next 13 years.
1860
Rev. George Matthews, ordained at St. Francis Seminary in 1859, is appointed the first resident pastor. He serves through the early days of the Civil War.
1867
Rev. T. A. Smith is appointed as pastor in 1863 and begins plans for a new church that is completed in 1867. Constructed of stone hauled by parishioners from a Byron quarry, the church is consecrated on the 1st of December by Bishop Henni, assisted by Fathers Colton, Perrodin, and McMahon.
1907
In the ensuing years, many of the priests who serve the parish receive their education and are ordained at St. Francis Seminary. Among them is Father Stephen Zohlen who is appointed pastor in 1907.
1909
Father Zohlen directs the formation of Oakfield Mission. As plans begin for the building of a church, Father Zohlen celebrates mass at Worthing Hall. Nine families construct the new church on Sundays during the summer. The church is named St. James, in honor of the apostle and brother of St. John, and is consecrated on November 9, 1909, with Archbishop Messmer offering the dedicatory address. Among the celebrants is Rev. Michael Steir, who is appointed to serve at St. James and St. John through the days of World War I.
1923
Parishes incorporate under the laws of the State of Wisconsin during the pastorate of Rev. Francis Sampon.
1930
Under the direction of Rev. Gideon Kosterman, the growing St. James community purchases the Free Will Baptist Church to provide additional space for summer classes and other church activities.
1935
On August 9, during the pastorate of Rev. Francis Shea, a fire claims the rectory at St. John. Many church records are destroyed. Two days later, plans are underway for the construction of a new rectory. In the midst of the Great Depression, the new structure is completed by the close of 1936. Father Shea guides the parish through much of World War II.
1947
Parish centennial at St. John is celebrated with Archbishop Moses Kiley. He is assisted by the parishes newly appointed Rev. Herbert Wagner and former priests of the parish, the Reverends Gideon Kosterman, Stephen Zohlen, Francis Sampon, and Francis Shea. Rev. Walter Morgan, a son of the parish, attended Archbishop Kiley.
1957
Under the direction of Rev. Leonard Drewek, St. James purchases Liberty Hall to replace the church on Elm Street, now too small for the growing Catholic community. The building is remodeled with the help of many parishioners and is dedicated on June 13, 1957, with Archbishop Meyer presiding. In the same year, Rev. Drewek oversees a remodeling of St. John. The project is completed under the pastorate of Rev. Frederick Schmidt.
1962
The Second Vatican Council convenes. Discussions over a three-year period result in many changes to liturgical worship. The most significant changes in the life of everyday Catholics centered upon the Sacred Liturgy. Catholics saw altars turned to face the congregation. Many women were no longer wearing hats or other head coverings in church. Additionally, more liturgical roles were given to the laity and Mass is celebrated entirely in the local vernacular language.
1965
Rev. Joseph Mueller reports to the Archdiocese that all sanctuary changes, in compliance with Vatican II directives, have been completed. He directs the purchase of 1.5 acres of additional cemetery land and the building of a hall at St. John. Laity are appointed as coordinators of religious education and the program is expanded to include Grades 1 through 12.
1972
Rev. Richard Fechhelm oversees the development of parish councils at St. James and St. John. Laity become increasingly more involved as religious instructors, taking the place of the Sisters of St. Agnes, School Sisters of Notre Dame, and Sisters of St. Francis, who had served as teachers for decades. In 1986, a Director of Religious Education is hired to oversee the religious education programs at St. James and St. John.
1987
Archdiocesan Synod is convened. Parishioners meet throughout the year to study and discuss stewardship, justice, human dignity, and other significant topics of Catholic faith. The synod culminates in the development of parish mission statements. St. John celebrates 140 years.
1990
St. John’s is remodeled and rededicated on November 25 with Archbishop Rembert Weakland presiding.
1996
Tornado strikes the community. While much of Oakfield is destroyed, St. James stands largely untouched. Under the direction of Rev. Donald Zerkel, the church doors are opened for use by other denominations in the community whose churches were destroyed.
1998
Councils from St. James and John begin joint meetings in preparation for a merging of parishes. A new name is offered to the Archdiocese for consideration. Sons of Zebedee: Ss. James and John is chosen as a symbol of a brotherly relationship cultivated by a respected father.
2007
Year of celebration commemorating watershed events in 1847, 1867, 1947, and 1957. Rev. Michael Petersen, ordained at St. Francis Seminary in 1992, celebrates his 15th anniversary as a priest.
2013
Sons of Zebedee is clustered with St. Mary. Religious Education programs remained separated until 2014. Both parishes retained separate Pastoral and Finance Councils, but Pastoral Council Committees were combined.
2019
In June, Father Nathaniel Miniatt is appointed administrator of St. Mary and Sons of Zebedee. Previously, Father Miniatt served as the associate pastor to St. John Vianney parish in Brookfield for 3 years.
2022
The 175th anniversary celebration at St. John in Byron was celebrated on September 10, 2022 with a 4:00 p.m. Mass and dinner following. We were pleased to welcome Bishop Schuerman as the principal celebrant of the Mass, as well as three former pastors: Fr. Zerkel, Fr. Gurath, and Fr. Petersen with Fr. Miniatt.