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St. Mary's Parish of the Immaculate Conception

Fox Lake, Dodge County

Diamond Jubilee of St. Mary's, Fox Lake, Celebrated on Dec. 8

The Catholic Herald, 12 17 1925

FOX LAKE, Wis.—The seventy-fifth anniversary of the organization of St. Mary's Parish of the Immaculate Conception was observed Dec. 8.

The Rev. J. C. Hartman, Hartford, a former pastor of the church, was celebrant of the solemn High Mass, assisted by the Rev. A. Leist, Beaver Dam, deacon; the Rev. A. Krause, Waupun, deacon, and the Rev. L. Scheurell, Juneau, master of ceremonies. The Rt. Rev. Msgr. E. J. Blackwell, Milwaukee, also a former pastor here, was present in the sanctuary and delivered the sermon.

Sermon by Msgr. Blackwell

Monsignor Blackwell, in his sermon, pointed out many of the activities of the parish from its time as a mission in 1845 to its progress to the present time. Started as a mission by Father Healy of Watertown, the early services held in the homes of Patrick Casey and James Derivan, pioneers of the parish, and the sacrifices of others toward the erection of the first church building upon land donated by Dr. Stoddard Judd, a non-Catholic, in 1850, were also mentioned.

In addition to the clergy who took part in the services, the following neighboring priests were present: The Revs. William Mahoney, Watertown; A. Kierzk, Beaver Dam; M. Norton, Columbus; J. Bollenbeck, Neosho; J. Higgins, Ripon; D. Regan, Berlin, and H. Velte, Montello.

Many former residents from Milwaukee, Appleton, Greenwood, Madison, Waupun, Mayville, Randolph and Beaver Dam were also present. Five of the older persons present were children of the parish at the time of its organization.

Reception and Dinner

At the conclusion of the services, a reception and dinner was held in a hall adjoining the church. The program during the dinner consisted of a message in behalf of the guests by John Collins, Milwaukee; addresses by the Rev. J. E. Delaney, pastor; Monsignor Blackwell, Father Hartmann, L. S. Keeley, Mayville, and Mayor Elmerson.

Orchestra music and the singing of America concluded the festivities of the day. The Rev. William Mahoney was toastmaster.