The History of Saint Pat's, from 1949 through today . . .

Baptism in new addition

St. Patrick’s Parish was established by the Diocese of La Crosse in 1949. Fr. Chester Wrzaszczak was appointed the administrator. The first Mass was celebrated July 31, 1949, in the Onalaska Park.

In September 1949, Fr. Joseph Bach was appointed first permanent resident pastor of the new parish. A friend of the parish, Vern Dale, offered the use of the Jewel Tea warehouse at Second Ave. and Main Street as a site for Masses until a more suitable location was established.

Late in the year, a frame cottage was purchased on the current site of the parish for use as a rectory and chapel. The growth of St. Patrick’s had begun.  In October 1950, plans to build a combination church, school and convent were completed. Father Pat Umberger, Saint Patrick's current Pastor was born on October 21st of that month. Bids were submitted and groundbreaking ceremonies were held in November 1950. The cornerstone was laid and blessed in June 1951. The school year began in September 1950 in the new building with the Benedictine Sisters of Eau Claire staffing the school. The building was dedicated in March 1952 by Bishop John Patrick Treacy.

In 1958, the parish realized it was again short of space and decided to build a new church and rectory. In March 1959, Fr. Bach moved into the new rectory. The cornerstone was laid in June 1959. After a year of construction, the church was dedicated on May 9, 1960.

Church life continued as usual until the departure of Fr. Bach, due to ill health, in 1968. At that time, Fr. John Rossiter, who had been principal at Regis High School in Eau Claire, arrived as pastor. Fr. Rossiter led the church through many years of growth. The first ecumenical service in Onalaska was held at St. Patrick’s in 1970. A new organ was purchased through parish support in 1975, and a carillon bell system was purchased in 1976.

Fr. Rossiter also initiated the annual Blacktop Frolic, which has proved to be a successful fund-raiser to alleviate the parish debt and to help fund the parish school. During 1982-83, the Parish determined the school was again running out of room. Fr. Rossiter initiated a fund-raising campaign and the new Parish Center was under way. The center, which joins the original school structure, contains a gym with a stage and kitchen area, two new classrooms for the seventh and eighth grades and a music room. The dedication was held in October 1984.

On February 7, 1985, Fr. Rossiter; Ferdy Roth, a parish sacristan and lay minister; and Bill Hammes, the parish custodian, were killed by Brian Stanley. Stanley, who pleaded guilty to the crimes was ruled not responsible by reason of insanity and was placed in the Mendota Mental Health Center in Madison. After the tragedy, Fr. Bernard McGarty was named temporary administrator of the parish, and he successfully helped the parish through grieving and the troubled times.

In April 1985, Fr. Wm. J. Matzek, who had been pastor at St. Olaf’s in Eau Claire, was appointed by Bishop John Paul to be pastor of St. Patrick’s Parish. In June 1985, Sr. Dale Wollum was hired as a pastoral assistant. And Fr. Steve Baures, who had been at Notre Dame Parish in Chippewa Falls, was appointed associate pastor in August 1985.

A Pastoral Team was formed in 1986 and consisted of the pastor, Fr. Bill Matzek; Fr. Steve Baures, associate pastor; Sr. Dale Wollum, pastoral assistant; Loren Kannenberg, principal of St. Patrick’s School; and Cathy Olson, director of religious education. Cathy Olson was hired in January 1983 to be full-time director of religious education. the Parish continued to grow in size and because of the large number of students in CCD, Lorraine Atkinson was hired full time in November 1986 to assist Cathy Olson.

In June 1988, Fr. Steve left St. Patrick’s to become pastor of St. Anthony’s in Cazenovia and St. Wenceslaus, Yuba. Fr. Leo Schneider was appointed associate pastor in June 1988. In June 1992, Fr. Schneider was assigned to the Newman Community Parish in Eau Claire.

In October 1988, Jay Nelson was hired half time as music director at St. Patrick’s, and in July 1992 he was hired also as half-time youth director. In July 1992 Marcia Kolaczkowski was hired three-fourths time as the adult education and evangelization director.
Fr. Tom Krieg, a newly ordained priest, was assigned to St. Patrick’s in June 1992 and served as an associate pastor until August 1995. Because of a shortage of priests in the Diocese of La Crosse, in October 1995, Deacon Frank Abnet was hired full time and appointed by Bishop Raymond Burke as finance officer of the parish.

In July 1996, Fr. Ed Thome retired from the active ministry and chose to live at St. Patrick’s and join our staff to help with Masses and the other areas of priestly ministry.

In May 1998, Marcia Koloczkowski accepted a job at Lutheran Hospital and with the deanery marriage program. In July 1998 Jay Nelson accepted a teaching position at Aquinas High School. In August 1998 Chris Eder was hired full time on the staff to minister in adult education and youth ministry. Sr. Dale retired June 30, 1999. Marge Hickey joined the staff in July 1999 as parish minister to the homebound, hospitals, the R.C.I.A and adult education programs. Jessica Knierim became music director in July 1999. Lorraine Atkinson chose to leave the staff and pursue other interests in August 1999. Susan Elsen was hired in November 1999 to be half-time CRE (co-religious education director) for grades Pre K to fifth. And Chris Eder became half-time youth director and half-time CRE for grades six to 11.

Sue Elsen was hired full time as CRE in July 2001, and Rachel Newton became half -time youth minister in July 2001. Mary Joe Lium became half-time music director in July 2002.

After a number of years planning with the Parish Pastoral Council and Finance Council, the decision was made in spring 2002 to increase the worship space at St. Patrick’s. Even though five Masses were offered on a weekend, many Masses were overcrowded and enough seating space became a problem. The parish membership exceeded 1,800 families or envelope holders and continues to grow. So the decision was made to expand the worship space from seating 550 to seating approximately 1,000 people. Construction began in August 2002 and was completed in June 2003. The new addition also provides additional office space and room for other parish activities and functions. It is air-conditioned and is completely accessible to the handicapped.

Shealan Bahr became half-time Music Director in 2005.  In the Summer of 2005, Cathie Steinhoff became half-time Youth Minister.

On June 21st 2005 Father Bill Matzek became pastor of his home parish.  A short time earlier Father Ed Thome change his residence to Mary Mother of the Church Parish in La Crosse.

Father Pat Umbergerwas appointed pastor of Saint Patrick's and began his ministry on 21 June 2005.

In the Fall of 2005 the 7th and 8th Graders of Saint Patrick School began to attend Aquinas Middle School in La Crosse.  Even with that, Saint Patrick School enrollment for the 2005-2006 School year increased from the past year's total.
 

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