Established in 1870, St. Mary has been faithfully serving the people of Lomira for over 150 years. We welcome old and new members to enjoy this rich and long history. We hope to draw closer together as a Christian family as we pray, participate, and grow.
Due to a fire in 1988, all parish records were destroyed, but much of the history below was able to be recovered from various sources.
View from the Top (115 Feet Up) – 1905
Weyer Brothers – Rev. Michael, Rev. Nicholas, & Rev. Bernard
1995
Father Stephen J. Stradinger – 1995
Legion of Mary – 1995
Parish Council – 1995
Father Vincent Holubowicz and Staff – 2000
Catholic citizens of Lomira founded a congregation. Beginning as a mission church, the dedication was on September 8 on the Feast of the Nativity of Mary.
Under the guidance of Father Spath, a school is built with the Sisters of St. Agnes as teachers.
A new school is built. The first graduating class from eighth grade is in 1908 and consists of two girls.
The present church is built and the parish office becomes officially incorporated in 1910.
The parish numbers about 75 families. In 1922, the parish rectory is built.
The present school building and convent in Lomira are built. To avoid closing the school, the parish arranges a consolidation with St. Theresa School in 1970. The new school is called Consolidated Catholic – Lomira & Theresa.
The Centennial Fund is established and the official celebration of the new interior takes place at the midnight mass in 1969.
A fire at the back of church destroys all of the parish records and causes much smoke damage. With the help of prayers and money from neighboring parishes, the church is rededicated in eight months.
The Sisters of St. Agnes have served the school and parish for 115 years. A Dominican sister then serves until 1994. The School Sisters of St. Francis began serving the school and parish in 1994, with Sister Rosemary Herriges as principal of Consolidated Catholic – Lomira & Theresa.
The parish of St. Mary celebrates its 125th anniversary with Father Stephen Stradinger as pastor. There are approximately 415 families with the parish organization centering on the parish council and the consolidated school board. Other active groups include the Legion of Mary, high school CCD, the choir, and the Family of St. Mary’s.
St. Mary is clustered with Sons of Zebedee. 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.
St. Mary’s 150th anniversary was celebrated on September 8, the Nativity of Mary. English Mass was celebrated at 8:30 a.m., and a Latin Solemn Mass was celebrated at 6:30 p.m. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the celebratory Mass to be offered by Archbishop Listecki was postponed until a later date.
