History

Diocese of Milwaukee is created. Bishop Henni is installed as first Bishop of the Diocese of Milwaukee in 1845.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Parishes incorporate under the laws of the State of Wisconsin during the pastorate of Rev. Francis Sampon.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

St. John’s is remodeled and rededicated on November 25 with Archbishop Rembert Weakland presiding.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.